Setting points with dwell meter

sphanna

sphanna

Well-known member
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.
 
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
 
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
 
sphanna said:
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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About 45 degrees would be fine.
 
1931 flamingo said:
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
Click to expand...

I disagree!!!

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
 
When I checked some years ago at .020" the Model A cam had 28* dwell, and at .020" the Model B had 40* dwell. I wrote it down somewhere, but this is from memory and I think I have it right.
 
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.
 
jeepguy1948 said:
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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:rolleyes: Ummm, you do realize you are making your critical comment(s) on a thread that was posted here OVER a DECADE ago?? :o
 
Nomadtrebor said:
How do you tell whether you have an 'A' or 'B' cam ? And am i correct that the 'B' is better ?
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Nomadtrebor said:
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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It is difficult to differentiate between either cams with a naked eye as they look very similar. I have a distributor machine that I use that has a degree wheel that allows me to check the lift at a particular degree of rotation to know the duration and lift ramp.

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.
 
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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1931 flamingo said:
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
Click to expand...

CWPASADENA said:
I disagree!!!

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
Click to expand...

Also a quick way to see if you have excessive play in the bushings or upper plate.
 
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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