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Gap for Points

Trojanman

Trojanman

Regular Contributor
Can someone tell me what the gap for the points would be on my left 1989 318 ?? Right motor has elect. ingnition. The only thing I could find on the web was specs for a 1973 318 which stated .017. :cool:

PS. Hope everyone is enjoying this weather? I still have to wait until middle June to splash her :( But with this fine weather i'm getting a lot done on her early in the season !!
 
You really want to set the dwell angle, not the points gap. You will need a dwell meter.

Setting the dwell takes the guess work and the distributor wear out of the equation.

Dwell is the amount of time the points are closed to enable the coil to saturate with energy. When the points open it causes a collapse and the energy is directed to the appropriate spark plug. More dwell (higher number) means a longer saturation time and a stronger spark.
 
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Thanks Chris. So if I set the points @ .17 then check the dwell it should be btw 28-32 correct? What if it's not how would I set dwell?
 
You will nee a dwell meter with it's instruction book and the dwell spec for your engine. You could have the correct dwell setting with .09 gap on the points. Depends on the amount of wear your distributor has.
 
Docksidemarineservices said:
You will nee a dwell meter with it's instruction book and the dwell spec for your engine. You could have the correct dwell setting with .09 gap on the points. Depends on the amount of wear your distributor has.
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Now I gottcha..Set points until I reach correct dwell. Thanks again Chris, now I have to find a dwell meter.
 
Chris is right on.
Each cylinder (V-8 engine) has a total of 45 degrees in which to do what Chris has described.
Point gap is an estimate ONLY of dwell.
Always set dwell... not gap.
 
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