Startup and drive video- Still having shifting problem >:-(

[Niel Hoback]

Dwell is the number of degrees of distributor shaft rotation during which the points are closed, charging the coil. As you change the point gap, you change the number of degrees when the points are closed. The recommended gap of .020 should give you very close to 38 degrees of dwell. Adjust your point gap/dwell before you set your timing. Closing the gap advances the spark by about one degree for every one thousandth of an inch closer.

Hope this helps.

[ledfootslim]

Dwell is the number of degrees of distributor shaft rotation during which the points are closed, charging the coil. As you change the point gap, you change the number of degrees when the points are closed. The recommended gap of .020 should give you very close to 38 degrees of dwell. Adjust your point gap/dwell before you set your timing. Closing the gap advances the spark by about one degree for every one thousandth of an inch closer.

Hope this helps.

Great- thank you. So if I set the points to .020 it should mean my dwell is correct?

[TodFitch]

Great- thank you. So if I set the points to .020 it should mean my dwell is correct?

Should be if you measure accurately, the points are not pitted and the distributor lobes are not worn.

 

I generally set my points using a feeler gauge with the distributor on the bench and then when it is back in the car and then engine is running put a tach-dwell meter on it and see how close I came. If I am within a degree to two I call it good.

[Don Coatney]

I set my dwell on the bench spinning the distributor with an electric drill and using a remote power supply to power up the distributor.

 

[Dodgeb4ya]

You need to Use a small  dab of distributor contact cam lube on the distributor shaft cam and at the points rubbing block. Not too much though.

If you don't use this the ponits rubbing block will wear quickly and points will close up.

[ledfootslim]

Check your plug gaps, set the dwell at 38 degrees, set the timing at 3 degrees BTC. before you mess with the carb again. While you're in the dizzy, make sure you have good strong point spring. Your points may be floating at higher RPMs.

Well, my plugs were mostly good, one or two were a little over, the points return spring doesn't feel very springy, so I guess I should just grab a new one. But at this point, I am sorely tempted to go with a Pertronix electronic system. It would be nice not having to mess with points anymore and having that 40,000 volt coil surely couldn't hurt. 

[james curl]

I am running a stock Mopar distributor converted to 12 volts and i do not mess with my distributor at all.  My car starts and runs as good as my 55 Chevy pick up with the HEI ignition.  I thought about getting Langdon's HEI for Mopars but really see no need to.