Ok, I know I'm just a simple man from the sticks of KY, but now I'm "cornfused"..... I set the points gap with a gauge, adjusted the timing with a timing light.... They are both right on specs. My question is, how do ya set the "dwell"????
There are two ways of measuring the setting for points. The "gap" and the "dwell." The gap affects the dwell. What you are really after is the proper dwell setting. A gap of a given range will give you, in theory, the proper dwell - or amount of time the points are closed.
Anyway - a dwell meter will give you the most accurate way of setting the point gap - instead of feeler gauges.
Having said all of that - many people get away with simply setting the gap and being done with it.
Ok.... I saw the spec for the Dwell on my engine... So, how does this work? Do you have to keep popping the distributor off and adjusting the gap (dwell) on the points, restarting, checking and doing it all over again until you get it to spec, OR, does the meter read the dwell as you open or close the gap on the points without the engine running?
Engine has to be running to check the dwell. Or at least turning. It's been so long since I've messed with dwell that I know know for sure if it has to run... or if it can simply be turned over with the starter. But yes, the way we used to do it was to gap the points, put everything together then start the engine. Check the dwell. If the dwell was off, then we turned off the engine and adjusted the gap as necessary - trial and error - until it is right.
Thanks! I just noticed there's a very indepth set of instructions in the sticky notes. Typical of me to ask something when the answer is more than likely right under my nose!!
Thanks again guys!!
