The Ford Barn

TNTim · 04-13-2024, 10:41 PM

So I pulled my “37” distributor off the car. It’s a helmet, two bolt coil. Coil was recently redone by Skip. Car seemed to be running ok outside of not wanting to start when it got hot. I replaced the condenser. While i had it out, I checked the point gaps and it was way off. Driver side was over .020 and passenger was around .018. I put it on a Heyer/Ford machine. The Dwell % was very low too. So I decided to adjust the points to where I got 55% on driver side and total of 81% for both. Checked my timing on it and also on an KR Wilson box. Installed back on the car and now it runs rough. Pops when you give it a little gas.

My question is why would it run better at such a big point gap and low dwell?

cadillac512 · 04-14-2024, 08:03 AM

I don't understand the % figures for dwell. Do you mean degrees? If so, you should be in the 30's, not nearly so high. Your points gaps must be way too low. Generally gaps in the .016 range will work out very close to correct dwell numbers.

P.s. By the way, post this in the "early v8" forum and you'll get more info on early stuff.

RKS.PA · 04-14-2024, 11:45 AM

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As cad suggests, the early ford V8 forum will give you more feedback. I'm on both. Believe the point setting is .016. What is your timing set at and is the advance working??

Seems like you now can eliminate the condenser and the coil!!

04-13-2024, 10:41 PM	#1
TNTim Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 19	Helmet Distributor Issues So I pulled my “37” distributor off the car. It’s a helmet, two bolt coil. Coil was recently redone by Skip. Car seemed to be running ok outside of not wanting to start when it got hot. I replaced the condenser. While i had it out, I checked the point gaps and it was way off. Driver side was over .020 and passenger was around .018. I put it on a Heyer/Ford machine. The Dwell % was very low too. So I decided to adjust the points to where I got 55% on driver side and total of 81% for both. Checked my timing on it and also on an KR Wilson box. Installed back on the car and now it runs rough. Pops when you give it a little gas. My question is why would it run better at such a big point gap and low dwell?

04-14-2024, 08:03 AM	#2
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 921	Re: Helmet Distributor Issues I don't understand the % figures for dwell. Do you mean degrees? If so, you should be in the 30's, not nearly so high. Your points gaps must be way too low. Generally gaps in the .016 range will work out very close to correct dwell numbers. P.s. By the way, post this in the "early v8" forum and you'll get more info on early stuff. __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

04-14-2024, 11:45 AM	#3
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Helmet Distributor Issues Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As cad suggests, the early ford V8 forum will give you more feedback. I'm on both. Believe the point setting is .016. What is your timing set at and is the advance working?? Seems like you now can eliminate the condenser and the coil!!