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07-13-2011, 05:09 PM | #1 |
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Setting points with dwell meter
I know that .018-.022 seems to be a recommended point gap, but what is the desired dwell reading range for this gap range? I suspect there is a dwell angle specific to each particular point gap setting. I thank you in advance if anyone has information on this.
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Steve Hanna, Polk City, IA |
07-13-2011, 07:17 PM | #2 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
No offense, but for 80+ years the model A runs fine with timing set CORRECTLY and points gapped .018-.022. Why re-invent the wheel??
Paul in CT |
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07-13-2011, 07:27 PM | #3 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
It also would depend on the dist cam you have, the "B" cam has more dwell than the "A" cam.
As an experiment if you have a dwell meter --hook it up and see how much it changes when you move the spark advance ---that will show how much play there is in your upper plate to dist housing. --that play could be more than the dwell difference between .018--.022 |
07-13-2011, 08:24 PM | #4 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
About 45 degrees would be fine.
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07-13-2011, 09:13 PM | #5 | |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Quote:
Why not set the points to .022 and check the Dwell Reading. As the points close up, the dwell will become longer. I find a dwell meter is a very quick, easy and more accurate way to see if the point setting has changed. My Opinion, Chris |
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07-13-2011, 10:31 PM | #6 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
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07-14-2011, 12:38 AM | #7 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
CWPASADENA This was my point exactly
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Steve Hanna, Polk City, IA |
12-07-2022, 12:07 PM | #8 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
How do you tell whether you have an 'A' or 'B' cam ?
And am i correct that the 'B' is better ? |
12-07-2022, 12:11 PM | #9 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Is there a way to test the strength of your coil ? and is it better to install a coil with Higher output ?
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12-07-2022, 12:26 PM | #10 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Why is it that some accept and take advantage of new technology: Smart Phone, Television, Computer, how about cast iron brake drums?, how about turn signals, seat belts, halogen or LED head and tail lights, GPS navigation, you get the idea, yet criticize anyone who wants to take advantage of it on a Model A? There is absolutely an advantage to using a dwell meter to set points and it is absolutely true that had a dwell meter existed in 1928 the Ford garage would have been using them. It is without a doubt a more accurate way. Not everyone is an expert using a feeler gauge to set the points and dwell effects timing in a big big way. And you know what Flamingo? He asked a question that deserves an accurate answer, he did not ask what you or anybody else thought about it. My gosh, I swear that some people just cruise the forums looking for a place to stick there nose in where it doesn’t belong. If you want to go with “good enough” that’s fine but others prefer to be as accurate as they can.
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12-07-2022, 12:40 PM | #11 | |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Quote:
Ummm, you do realize you are making your critical comment(s) on a thread that was posted here OVER a DECADE ago?? |
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12-07-2022, 12:48 PM | #12 | ||
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Quote:
Quote:
I use a coil tester to check the output and to place heat into the coil to check for break-down when it gets hot. You only need enough coil voltage to ignite the combustion mixture. Typically, the higher the compression ratio, the more difficult to ignite the mixture. Naturally factoring RPMs, ignition timing, and volumetric efficiency all enter into the equation, but most over-the-counter parts store coils are fine for most Model-A engine applications. |
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12-07-2022, 12:58 PM | #13 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Well nope, I’m technically challenged
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12-07-2022, 01:54 PM | #14 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
If you have an A and B cam next to each other, you can tell the difference, but just looking at one unknown cam trying to ID it can be difficult.
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12-07-2022, 02:04 PM | #15 | |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Quote:
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12-07-2022, 05:36 PM | #16 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
back in the day of points, thats pretty much how they were set [ dwell meter]. Especially GM.
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12-07-2022, 07:28 PM | #17 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
The point gap is used to produce the correct dwell. The coil recognizes dwell it doesn't care what the gap is if the dwell is good. Food for thought.
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12-07-2022, 07:46 PM | #18 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
I don't think we should dwell on this. I frankly don't get the point.
Drum roll please.
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12-08-2022, 12:38 AM | #19 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
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12-08-2022, 07:57 AM | #20 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
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12-08-2022, 07:24 PM | #21 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Dwell isn't magic, and it isn't difficult to understand. The distributor has 360 degrees of rotation for the 4 cylinders of the model A engine. That leaves 90 degrees of rotation for each cylinder. If you look at the distributors cam, you can see that it is going to keep the points closed about 50% of the time, therefore, the dwell is going to be somewhere in the 45 degree range (half of 90 degrees). So just estimating, the dwell should be something between 35-55 degrees.. What I suggest is to set the points at the center of their range (0.020"), measure the dwell, and that would be what I would use in the future. (I run a trouble free Honda electronic distributor, so I can't actually check it for you.)
Note1: I would expect the model B cam to provide a bit more dwell due to it's profile, but... Note2: If you watch Paul shinn's video on distributor rebuilds, he sets the points at 0.018". I do not buy that setting. The normal wear of the fanalic cam rubbing block on the movable point arm causes the points to naturally close up over time. It just seems wrong to start out with the points set to the minimum setting. I suggest 0.020" as a better setting. Note3: I built the dial indicator points checking tool seen in the restorer magazine a few months back, and took it and a bunch of distributors to our club meeting. Using feeler gauges, the club members were asked to set the points to 0.020". Every single one of them set the points significantly wider than 0.020", some as wide as 0.030". It seems to be human nature the adjust them wide, or at least a common mistake. A dwell meter would verify correct settings. (A dial indicator can also verify correct adjustment.) I now have very little confidence that the average model A owner will set points at the correct gap.
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12-08-2022, 08:37 PM | #22 | |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Quote:
That said, I also set my points at .020" to allow for some phenolic block wear. Easy to check to see if the points are closing up using a dwell meter. |
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12-09-2022, 08:24 AM | #23 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
Guyz, I've read through this thread multiple times over the last few days. This time, a memory flashed back. FWIW, I think I read somewhere that the Model A has more dwell than the coil needs or will make use of??? Comments???
60 years ago, I had a 31 coupe. As I recall, the early recommended points setting range was 16-18???
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12-09-2022, 08:43 AM | #24 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
That's my understanding – 4-cyl engines operating at the relatively low RPM range of the Model A get all the dwell the coil needs quite easily. I always understood the advantage of the B distributor cam to be that it reduces wear on the rubbing block. If you look at the '32 service bulletins, "dwell" is never mentioned in the context of the Model B, only when talking about the V8s. In the Model A service bulletins, dwell is never mentioned at all.
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12-09-2022, 09:07 AM | #25 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
It’s Christmas Time, don’t dwell on the past, dwell on the future and the good times we have with our Model A each time we climb in and take a good ride. There is enough strife in this world today with out thinking about how we look at different things.
GOD BLESS & Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR Bill |
12-09-2022, 01:18 PM | #26 |
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Re: Setting points with dwell meter
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Last edited by Ramman; 12-09-2022 at 01:38 PM. |
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