46 flathead dist

4

46woodie

Senior Member
Can the dwell on these distributers be adjusted by loosening screw on side and
Moving this up or down? Not much adjustment there but curious if that was how you would adjust dwell on these. I checked with dwell meter and its between 34-35. Think specs say 36 so not sure if I would adjust anything anyway
 
That is for setting the timing. The dwell is set by the point adjusting and both are best set on a distributor machine. How did you measure dwell?
 
If it's like the factory dual point on my '66 GT-350 you adjust the points with a feeler gauge to get them close. You stick a piece of cardboard between one of the points so it cannot work. Then using a dwell meter, you start the engine and set the dwell on the opposite set of points. Then swap the cardboard and set the dwell on the second set of points. When they are both set the combined dwell will be different than when it's just running on one set of points. It's a little bit of work to get the dwell correct. The gap changes as you tighten the points' hold-down screw. You have to set them a little wide and hope by the time you tighten the screw it's where you want it.

You always want to set the dwell first, then adjust the timing. Because the dwell changes the timing, but timing does not change the dwell. Adjust dwell first, then the timing and last the air fuel mixture adjustment. It must be done in that order.
 
so close if its on the car doubt if you get it any better shouldnt effect how it runs the side adjustment is used to fine tune the timing
 
46woodie said:
Can the dwell on these distributers be adjusted by loosening screw on side and
Moving this up or down? Not much adjustment there but curious if that was how you would adjust dwell on these. I checked with dwell meter and its between 34-35. Think specs say 36 so not sure if I would adjust anything anyway
Click to expand...


screw on the side / middle is '0' up is advanced down is retarded. I run mine about 3 lines up advanced runs like a clock sweet gas mileage...
 
Thanks for the tips!! Car runs fine, no heating issues but I want to be sure its tuned to perfection so it stays running cool. Summer heat coming and will still take it out once in awhile but dont want over heating problems. Thanks again
 
big job said:
screw on the side / middle is '0' up is advanced down is retarded. I run mine about 3 lines up advanced runs like a clock sweet gas mileage...
Click to expand...

On a 46 it’s opposite “up” is retard and down advances it. The early 32-41 distributors are as you stated
 
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