Dwell or timing?

[floridacruisers]

Have to tune up my recently purchased 1989 Glastron Sierra with the 3.0L mercruiser engine. Have not done points and timing in years. Forgot which affects which. Does adjusting the timing affect dwell or is it the other way around? My memory tells me that adjusting the timing affects dwell but adjusting dwell does not impact timing. Am I right? Looks like a Delco setup.
Phil

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Dwell or timing?

Dwell affects timing a little.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Dwell or timing?

My memory tells me that adjusting the timing affects dwell but adjusting dwell does not impact timing. Am I right? Looks like a Delco setup.
Phil

Your memory works fine, just backwards. LOL
Dwell effects timing.
You must set the dwell first, then go to the timing.
Think of it like you are following the spark, you hit the points first then the plugs.

 

[floridacruisers]

Re: Dwell or timing?

Thanks for the info. Yup, I got it bass ackwards! Just have to remember to go alphabetical and I'm ok.
Phil

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Dwell or timing?

They have you pointed in the right direction. I had an old 70s Buick that I set the dwell with a timing light. Dist was stuck and as the points wear timing would change

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Dwell or timing?

Every one degree of dwell = 2 degree's of timing. Period end of discusion