DWELL

[Criswell]

ok, i know how to set points gap , how the heck to ya set the dwell ? is it the same as setting the gap, only ya kepp gapping it more or less to get the correct dwell , instead of the recomended gap (.016 i think ) > I dont remember exactly where mine was when i checked it last, but ill be rechecking it today, i believe my dwell was 47 and its supposed to be 50 if im not mistaken, ill know later when i have my Muir guide in front of me.

anyways, someone please explain how to achieve dwell, or post a link

thanks

Mike
_________________
Mike
78 Westy 2.0 Hydraulic Lifter

[incynr8]

Dwell is a result of point gap setting.
48-52 is the acceptable range, and .016-.018 is required to achieve the range usually.
50 is the dwell to shoot for.
So points are set, Dwell is measured.

Al
_________________
..........
Do it right, or don't bother.

[77westy]

I set the gap on my points to what I thought was the right gap but when I checked dwell it said 80! Does that mean the gap on the points is too big or too small?

Also, I just wanted to know if I am checking dwell correctly. Im using one of those voltmeter type gauges that has RPM's and dwell. I just switched between RPM and dwell on the meter. I did not change where I was connecting the leads (a ground and the coil).

Thanks,
MK

[Randy in Maine]

Make sure that you are reading the dwell angle scale for a 4 cylinder not a 6 or 8.

[79SuperVert]

MK, I had the same problem on my 79 super and I never solved it. I always got the gap correct but the dwell was much too high. Car ran OK so I gave up and left it at the correct gap.

[ryansantin]

Too close, just keep playing with it, it can be frustrating and time consuming the first few times but them it will be set correctly to the timing scale. use a good light

open a little test close a little test etc. YOU CAN DO IT
_________________
78westy

[Duncwarw]

It's been a long, long time, but I seem to recall having somebody crank the engine while I adjusted the points until reaching the correct dwell.

Was I dreaming? I think you can do it that way.

[ratwell]

[phj]

I've have been self-initiating in the voodoo arts of point gap setting.

I'm working on a Type 4 engine in a '72 bus with no hatch so I find it difficult or impossible to tell when the points are open the greatest. I've been guessing and testing with feelers while rotating the distributor mm's at a time.

I have found that .016" yields an extremely low dwell: 40*. So I have been experimenting with using thinner and thinner feeler gauges, down to .013". My dwell's still low (44*) but within spec. It's quite a pain having to set it, then replace the rotor and cap, then start the engine, then go back to read the meter only to see it's still off.

Does someone have a good technique for setting this gap right the first time?

Patricia

P.S. I edited this to show actual dwell which is my 8-cyl scale reading multiplied by 2.

[ratwell]