points adjustment

ben8473 · Criminal Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 86

Hi, am new to this game so a stupid question follows. I have set the new points on my ford 351 nauti engine to .18 according to manual, but it says to set dwell at 31 degrees. What and how do i do this. At the moment i have them gapped as the cam is at its highest point. Is this the dwell angle and if so is it right? Thanks.

882001 · Posted: Nov 04, 2004 4:29 pm Post subject:

the best bet would be go with the electronic conversion. your boat will run so much better. www.vintageperformance.com

wesgardner · Posted: Nov 05, 2004 5:10 am Post subject:

Hey ben8473,

The Cam angle, or dwell angle is the number of degrees through which the distributor cam rotates while the breaker points are closed. It is directly related to the breaker point gap. Decreasing the breaker point gap will increase the cam angle. If the cam angle is too small, the current will have insufficient time to pass through the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a weaker spark will result. If the cam angle is too great, the breaker points will not open far enough, they will tend to stick together, and misfiring will result. The best method of adjusting breaker points is by means of a dwell meter. I've never owned a dwell meter and have just adjusted the points gap - but I ain't no mechanic Exclamation

On my boat I went with the Pertronix electronic system "Igniter II" and their coil for about $100 - has run flawlessly....

Good luck
Wes

chaz28o · Posted: Nov 05, 2004 5:32 am Post subject:

What I do: (You will need two flat blade screwdrivers & a Dwell Meter, and somebody to crank the engine)

1) Pull the coil wire out of the coil

2) Remove the Distributor Cap

3) Connect the Dwell meter

4) Have someone crank the engine and get a dwell reading

5) Loosen (or replace) the points

6) Keep the screw driver on the screw that loosens the points, and have the other screwdrive in the "slot" that shifts the points position (slides in or away from distributor cam)

7) Have someone crank the engine and look at your dwell meter

8 ) Adjust the points (while engine is cranking) until you get the ideal dwell, and tighten the points down

9) Check the engine for timing

10) Adjust dwell again, if you change the engine's timing