Dwell setting?

H

hatter ed

New member
Aug 3, 1998
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I installed a new coil and bought a new set of points, cap and rotor last
night. The manual says to set the points at .016 gap and 30 degree dwell.
I put the dwell meter on and it read ~ 24 degrees. When I tried to adjust
it to 30 degrees it would start missing and die. The instructions on the
new points said that you could turn the allen wrench clockwise until it
started missing and then back half a turn, so that is how I left it.

My question is why can I not get the dwell set at 30 degrees and what affect
does not having the dwell set properly do? Poor gas mileage? Engine run to
hot?

I did not install the new points, cap or rotor since the old ones looked
new, and I didn't want to miss with the new points when I couldn't get old
ones set.


Thanks

Ed Hatter
73 Glacier

Omaha, NE
 
>I did not install the new points, cap or rotor since the old ones looked
>new, and I didn't want to miss with the new points when I couldn't get old
>ones set.

I would install the new points and condenser before trying to set the
dwell. Its very hard to get a good dwell reading by "gapping" an old set of
points. The surface of the contacts wears un-evenly so you cant accurately
measure the gap with a feeler gauge. I am guessing that you will be able to
set the new points without a problem.

If the old points are burned or worn additional resistance may be
introducing some inaccuracy in the readings you are seeing on your dwell
meter too. There is a possibility that you have a problem with your
condenser and/or coil that would give you inaccurate dwell readings.

Keep in mind that changing the dwell will also change the timing. Be sure
to check the timing after you have the dwell set properly.

Dave
73 Sequoia
 
What I would recommend to anyone is change to electronic ignition. I have a
'74, you all ready "electrondon" - so says the title. Anyway, the 75 Olds
HEI works like a champ -- better running and better gas mileage. Plus,
longer between tune-ups. Don't quibble. Bite the bullet.

With best regards; I'm
Sincerely,
Sam Pickens
picksam

- ----------
> From: Hatter, Ed
> To: 'gmcmotorhome'
> Subject: GMC: Dwell setting?
> Date: Thursday, July 15, 1999 8:57 AM
>
> I installed a new coil and bought a new set of points, cap and rotor last
> night. The manual says to set the points at .016 gap and 30 degree
dwell.
> I put the dwell meter on and it read ~ 24 degrees. When I tried to
adjust
> it to 30 degrees it would start missing and die. The instructions on the
> new points said that you could turn the allen wrench clockwise until it
> started missing and then back half a turn, so that is how I left it.
>
> My question is why can I not get the dwell set at 30 degrees and what
affect
> does not having the dwell set properly do? Poor gas mileage? Engine run
to
> hot?
>
> I did not install the new points, cap or rotor since the old ones looked
> new, and I didn't want to miss with the new points when I couldn't get
old
> ones set.
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Ed Hatter
> 73 Glacier
>
> Omaha, NE
 
>What I would recommend to anyone is change to electronic ignition. I have a
>'74, you all ready "electrondon" - so says the title. Anyway, the 75 Olds
>HEI works like a champ -- better running and better gas mileage. Plus,
>longer between tune-ups. Don't quibble. Bite the bullet.

Thats what I did. I used a Cardone 1893 distributor (75 Olds Toronado) and
replaced the vacuum advance with a Delco 1973577 vacuum advance.

Dave
73 Sequoia
 
Ed, No expert on this, But I once had the same problem on a car and found
the plate that the points sit on was worn had it replaced and all was ok.
Just a thought!!

Ron&Gina
73 Pumpkin-Rose
Fort Mohave,AZ

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Hatter, Ed
To:
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 1999 5:57 AM
Subject: GMC: Dwell setting?

> I installed a new coil and bought a new set of points, cap and rotor last
> night. The manual says to set the points at .016 gap and 30 degree dwell.
> I put the dwell meter on and it read ~ 24 degrees. When I tried to adjust
> it to 30 degrees it would start missing and die. The instructions on the
> new points said that you could turn the allen wrench clockwise until it
> started missing and then back half a turn, so that is how I left it.
>
> My question is why can I not get the dwell set at 30 degrees and what
affect
> does not having the dwell set properly do? Poor gas mileage? Engine run
to
> hot?
>
> I did not install the new points, cap or rotor since the old ones looked
> new, and I didn't want to miss with the new points when I couldn't get old
> ones set.
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Ed Hatter
> 73 Glacier
>
> Omaha, NE
 
Ed

I would suggest that you set the dwell to 30 degrees-
even with the engine starting to miss ---THEM check
the timing with the new dwell setting -- I bet that
the timming will be off.

The proper sequence is to set dwell -- then set timing

because changing the dwell --> changes the timing.

===
Pete Papas-->http://members.tripod.com/~mehawk_ii/index.html
. ___________ (MY TOYS) (904)672-0571
./_][__][] []| 1973 GMC M/H 1976 Bi-Centennial Harley M/C
.*O-------OO-* Painted Desert 1979 280ZX Datsun (1 of 1000)
_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
 
Emery and others,
How often should you change the points, rotor etc.? I mean in miles?
Ricard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
- ---

> Just as a matter of preventative maintenance you should change the points,
> capacitor, rotor and cap periodically.
 
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