Point Gap and Timing ??

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, I asked this question a different way a few weeks ago, but here goes.

If my point gap on my flattie was .010, instead of .020, resulting in a larger cam angle, would this cause me to have late or early engine timing?

Would this cause hard starting, would it cause the engine to run hotter, what else might it affect?

Trying to understand the relationship between cam angle and valve timing and it's overall affect on the engine performance..........Thanx Fred

[greg g]

Basically you will have s shorter spark. When the points open they it allows the coil to discharge. With a smaller opeing of the points they open and close quicker shortening the duration of the spark. This will have only a very marginal if any effect on the areas of engine performance you mention. The hard starting one may be the biggest area as a short spark and a cold engine don't mix well.

[kencombs]

Smaller gap, longer dwell time, will increase coil magnetic field saturation. And, will advance timing a bit since the points open and cause the plugs to fire earlier. If the gap is small enough, at some point the spark will not occur, but I don't know just how small that might be. I makes sense that there would be a range just before that where spark may be intermittent and could cause hard starting.

The gap/angle have a fixed relationship unless the distributor is worn causing both of vary. Neither effect the spark duration, only the start time. coil magnetic field strength and collapse determine the duration.