Setting the dwell, distributor points

[flash951]

Setting the dwell, distributor points. I'm using a dwell-timing-tach "multi" meter.

1. How to connect the dwell meter: The green cable from the meter to point cable and connect the plus and ground?

2. How to measure? Having the distributor cap and rotor removed and using the start motor having someone sitting inside the car, or having the distributor cap and rotor in place and idle the engine (900 rpm)?

Thankful for help.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by flash951

Setting the dwell, distributor points. I'm using a dwell-timing-tach "multi" meter.

1. How to connect the dwell meter: The green cable from the meter to point cable and connect the plus and ground?

2. How to measure? Having the distributor cap and rotor removed and using the start motor having someone sitting inside the car, or having the distributor cap and rotor in place and idle the engine (900 rpm)?

Thankful for help.

first set the gap w/ feeler gauges, spec is 0.3mm+.5(0.012") for Bosch distributors

then check w/ the engine idling, read the meters instructions for connection, on mine there was just a ground and the connection to the black/purple wire

you want the gap on the high side which is dwell on the low side(spec is 38°+/-3)

if it's out of spec stop the engine and re-gap manually, wide gap=low dwell and vice versa

[flash951]

Thanks a lot, my gap was very low, dwell about 55 deg. After adjusting, now about 35 deg. according to my dwell meter.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by flash951

2. How to measure? Having the distributor cap and rotor removed and using the start motor having someone sitting inside the car, or having the distributor cap and rotor in place and idle the engine (900 rpm)?
Thankful for help.

Since engine won't run with cap and rotor off, you have to adjust with engine off, recheck and adjust again if necessary...Sounds like you have it now....G'luck..