Hesitation

[Doug&Deb]

I have a hesitation at higher rpm’s. Plugs are good. Timing is correct. Checked points gap and dwell. Both good. No problems at speeds below 50. What else can I check?

[busycoupe]

There have been discussions on this site about modern points sets having weak springs.  That could cause point float that will cause the problem you describe.

Another possibility is that the engine is running out of fuel.  Did you check fuel flow?  What about the fuel filter?

[Sniper]

Depending on how much ethanol might be in your gasoline you may also be going lean. 

[Doug&Deb]

I’ll check the filter. It’s probably due for a change anyway. The problem started after I filed and readjusted the points. I thought I may have caused the problem but I’m not sure how.

[maddmaxx1949]

3 hours ago, busycoupe said:

There have been discussions on this site about modern points sets having weak springs.  That could cause point float that will cause the problem you describe.

Another possibility is that the engine is running out of fuel.  Did you check fuel flow?  What about the fuel filter?

Can you explain point float a little more? If its happening at high RPM  and if a weak spring is the cause, does that mean the point gap doesn't come back together correctly leaving a larger gap than normal when it tries to spark?

[busycoupe]

I think that the weak spring will not seat the points solidly causing the coil to not saturate thus causing a weak spark or a miss. This would show up as an engine that runs rough or skips at speed.  

[maddmaxx1949]

2 hours ago, busycoupe said:

I think that the weak spring will not seat the points solidly causing the coil to not saturate thus causing a weak spark or a miss. This would show up as an engine that runs rough or skips at speed.  

Thank you, I appreciate it. That makes sense.

[JBNeal]

18 hours ago, Doug&Deb said:

...The problem started after I filed and readjusted the points. I thought I may have caused the problem but I’m not sure how.

one of the conversations I had with the guys at Burton L Norton years ago centered around how they set up a reconditioned distributor on a Sun testing machine...in short, they told me that setting points is easy to do IF the contacts were in good shape and the right tools are used; otherwise, any adjustments done with the distributor in the vehicle is just a guess, as the contacts could be not parallel, which throws off the point gap, among other things...