Dwell meter

Old560 · Sep 14, 2016

Any one have a good dwell meter? What brand? They are a thing of the past and i think they are hard to find, but i'd like one.

Pete_5959 · Sep 14, 2016

Easily picked up from EBAY. Snap On, Sun Tach and vintage Craftsman just a few brands that are bullet proof.

r/

Pete in NC

Geo-TH,In · Sep 14, 2016

Old560.

Dwell angle is the number of degrees the points are closed.

It was easier for me to remove the distributor on old slant six when installing new points and condenser instead of dropping a screw in distributor. I took a protractor and glued it to an old rotor. Used old Simpson ohmmeter and measured the number of degrees I turned the distributor while points were closed. It was easy to do, very accurate and CHEAP. Just remember where the rotor was pointing before you pull it.

I had a way to set the timing. Before removing distributor, I rotated the engine to the correct timing mark. Then when installing distributor, I rotated distributor in opposite direction, turned the ignition on, rotated distributor until I heard the points snap. Lock down the distributor. Usually I was only a degree or two off.

Many people don't know the old school way of doing things.
geo

old · Sep 14, 2016

Yep them old 170 and 225 slant six engines where a pain in the back side to do a tune up on. I took a screw driver I had and worked it up good on a good strong magnet to I could just put the screw in it and the magnet part of doing that held it on

Mike Groom · Sep 14, 2016

Garage sales and swap meets are great places to find them,I've also seen them at flea markets,they usually are in the $20.00 range or less,mine is a ASI brand that I have had for about 50 years,still works great,make sure it has all the hook-up cords if you find that model.

John B. · Sep 14, 2016

I hook up a test light to the dist wire on the outside then turn the dist with the ign on. When the lite comes on the points are open. Then I tighten down the dist. Sometimes you can't always hear the spark when the points open if you have a good condenser. That will absorb the spark & sound.

Dusty MI · Sep 14, 2016

I've got one. I'll have to look for it, don't remember make.

Dusty

Geo-TH,In · Sep 14, 2016

Using a light is how VW recommend. I could hear the snap or see a spark off points. Could atttach volrmeter too.
Did you use protractor to measure dwell? My dwell meter was less accurate.

504 · Sep 14, 2016

CL and yard sales. I have seen Snap On s for sale for 50.00(I paid a lot more than that for mine in 1969)

D beatty · Sep 15, 2016

I have a old Niehoff dwell-tachometer that I still use from time to time.

Bob · Sep 15, 2016

They typically weren't the most accurate device, even when new, and don't get any better over time.

I have collected probably a half-dozen over the years, and they compare quite poorly in both dwell and RPM readings.

A more ACCURATE way to check/set dwell is with an ignition 'scope with dwell graduations on the graticule.

guido · Sep 15, 2016

Helll bob,

Yep! You are right. I do have a Sears unit as well as another off brand tack and dwell meter. Good enougb for farm work. A scope with dwell graduation is the best as you said. Mine are just toys in comparison, but close enough to make me look good when I use them?

Guido.

Dwell meter

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old

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