1950 Dwell

[albjerryg]

Does anyone know what the dwell setting is for a 1950 Ford v-8. Thanks Jerry

[toby]

1949 to 51 V8 and 6 cylinder: 58-63.

[40cpe]

I have two Motor's Manuals. One starts at 1953 and it lists the V8 at 26-28 degrees for 1953. The other one ends at 1949 and lists it at 28 degrees.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by toby

1949 to 51 V8 and 6 cylinder: 58-63.

Hey Toby, where did you get such way out dwell figures? Walt

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by Walt Dupont--Me.

Hey Toby, where did you get such way out dwell figures? Walt

Ford used percentage of dwell before degrees. The distributor rotor travels 360 degrees, and divided by 8 (cylinders) = 45, and 58-63% of 45 = 26.1-28.3, or nominal 27 degrees, the target of all single point Ford V8 distributors.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

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Originally Posted by V8 Bob

Ford used percentage of dwell before degrees. The distributor rotor travels 360 degrees, and divided by 8 (cylinders) = 45, and 58-63% of 45 = 26.1-28.3, or nominal 27 degrees, the target of all single point Ford V8 distributors.

Whoooow. All dist machines that I ever used told the dwell. And every time I looked up the spec for setting up a dist the book told what dwell set it. Learn something evey day. Walt

[albjerryg]

Now I am confused? When I use the Dwell meter do I set it at 58 or 27? Thanks Jerry

[41ford1]

27° is the Dwell setting you should shoot for. V8 Bob shows the conversion from angle percentage to the actual angle.

[albjerryg]

Thanks Jerry

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by Walt Dupont--Me.

Whoooow. All dist machines that I ever used told the dwell. And every time I looked up the spec for setting up a dist the book told what dwell set it. Learn something evey day. Walt

Walt, you're correct. The older Motors and Ford manuals state either point gap and/or dwell degrees, but for some reason Ford used dwell percentage in the '49-'54/'55? shop manuals. My 1956-up specs are back to using dwell degrees.

[George/Maine]

The only cars that made any since with dwell meter was GM car with window and turn when running.A dwell is good to check and rpms.
On your car set the points .015and add .002 for wear in.
If you have set the points more then 3 times your dist shaft is worn,some dist with rust may have worn down lobes.

[albjerryg]

I have a nother question how do you hookup a dwell meter on a positive ground 6 volt car? Thanks Jerry

[rotorwrench]

Hook it to the wire that connects the coil to the distributor breaker points. You have to read the opening and closing of the points.

6-cylinder cars have different dwell since the cam only opens the points 6-times in 360 degrees.

[albjerryg]

Thanks for the info. Now it been 50+ years since I adjusted point. So if I remember correctly you have to turn the engine over until the point are completely closed then loosen the 2 screw and adjust the point to about .015". Does that sound correct. It was a lot easier on thmy 64 Chevy just open the window and put an allen wrench in it and turn. Thanks for any help Jerry

[Henry/Kokomo]

Jerry - Don't you adjust points when they are on the lobe of the cam in the open position? If you set the gap when the points were closed (between lobes of the cam) they would stay open all the time. Maybe I mis-read your post. FWIW

[albjerryg]

No you are correct I said it backwards. Thanks Jerry

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by albjerryg

Thanks for the info. Now it been 50+ years since I adjusted point. So if I remember correctly you have to turn the engine over until the point are completely closed then loosen the 2 screw and adjust the point to about .015". Does that sound correct. It was a lot easier on thmy 64 Chevy just open the window and put an allen wrench in it and turn. Thanks for any help Jerry

Dwell is normally adjusted with the starter turning over the engine. Using a solenoid bypass jumper button in one hand (or a helper's) use a screw driver to slightly loosen the points, adjust the gap/dwell, then tighten, re-install the rotor and cap, start engine and check dwell. If not correct, go back and readjust. It may take two or three attemps to get the 27 degree target, but it's important because dwell/point gap directly affects timing.