This may be a dumb question about setting dwell on a points ignition.

[projo198]

I have a 2.3 OMC. Every manual and write up I've seen says to set your dwell first, then do your points gap before finally setting your timing.

I don't understand this, because as I see it setting your points gap does the dwell at the SAME TIME. I know they are 2 different factors, but there isn't 2 different adjustments you have to make for both as the tutorials seem to say (with this distributor anyway).

Am I just missing something here?

 

[Nivekt]

Re: This may be a dumb question about setting dwell on a points ignition.

I just went through this ordeal. Here is what I did. Set the gap first, per the service manual. Run the engine and measure the dwell. If the dwell is low, reduce the gap by .001 from whatever you set it at initially and re-measure the dwell. If its still too low, repeat the process until you get it right. If its too high, do the reverse. Increase the gap by .001, etc. until you get it right. Keep in mind that as the points wear, the gap will increase and you will have to readjust the gap.

Now, here comes Boomyal to tell you to just ditch the points and convert to electronic! :laugh:

 

[Levinz11]

Re: This may be a dumb question about setting dwell on a points ignition.

I have a 2.3 OMC. Every manual and write up I've seen says to set your dwell first, then do your points gap before finally setting your timing.

I don't understand this, because as I see it setting your points gap does the dwell at the SAME TIME. I know they are 2 different factors, but there isn't 2 different adjustments you have to make for both as the tutorials seem to say (with this distributor anyway).

Am I just missing something here?

The manual reads: Set point gap...check dwell...adjust if necessary (by adjusting gap)....set timing...set idle.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: This may be a dumb question about setting dwell on a points ignition.

.......Now, here comes Boomyal to tell you to just ditch the points and convert to electronic! :laugh:.....

Can't beat success! 3 vehicles are now powered by Pertronix. 1975 OMC 5.0 20 ft runabout, 1965 Mustang 289 and 1952 YE40 forklift. Every one of them made a big difference in the ease of starting, especially but not exclusively my ancient propane fired forklift that would sit for months between run times.

 

[Nivekt]

Re: This may be a dumb question about setting dwell on a points ignition.

Can't beat success! 3 vehicles are now powered by Pertronix. 1975 OMC 5.0 20 ft runabout, 1965 Mustang 289 and 1952 YE40 forklift. Every one of them made a big difference in the ease of starting, especially but not exclusively my ancient propane fired forklift that would sit for months between run times.

Im sold Boomyal. Its just a matter of at least getting one season with the new points before dropping the cash to upgrade!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: This may be a dumb question about setting dwell on a points ignition.

Im sold Boomyal. Its just a matter of at least getting one season with the new points before dropping the cash to upgrade!

 

[projo198]

Re: This may be a dumb question about setting dwell on a points ignition.

Ya ya ya... upgrading to points is scary...not really just haven't decided to make the jump yet.