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Bruce Lancaster · 11-07-2011, 08:43 PM

I don't think Ford published any dwell specs until they put out the distributor machines and fixtures for the dual point early V8 distributors, so A and B can only be derived by experiment from gap spec...
Seems like they might be unusually easy to set this way...a spare cap with a small hole drilled in it to allow screwdriver to reach stationary point would allow setting dwell while running, like a '57-73 Chevy. Assuming tightening the clamp screw from snug to tight does not cause unpredictable motion, that is...
Chevys could be set to a surprising degree of dwell accuracy without even a gauge... drill used to be screw points toward closed to the point of severe misfire, then out I think 1/2 turn exactly put them on the money. The careful actually went out a full turn then back in 1/2 in order to end the operation tightening against the resistance...

11-07-2011, 08:43 PM	#5
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Dwell setting I don't think Ford published any dwell specs until they put out the distributor machines and fixtures for the dual point early V8 distributors, so A and B can only be derived by experiment from gap spec... Seems like they might be unusually easy to set this way...a spare cap with a small hole drilled in it to allow screwdriver to reach stationary point would allow setting dwell while running, like a '57-73 Chevy. Assuming tightening the clamp screw from snug to tight does not cause unpredictable motion, that is... Chevys could be set to a surprising degree of dwell accuracy without even a gauge... drill used to be screw points toward closed to the point of severe misfire, then out I think 1/2 turn exactly put them on the money. The careful actually went out a full turn then back in 1/2 in order to end the operation tightening against the resistance...