Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by humfrz

No wonder your old cars ran like shit -

Actually, you raise a good point. Maybe I was doing it wrong all those years. I figured as long as I kept the gap on the skinny side, it would guarantee enough time for the coil to do its thing.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by humfrz

A dwell meter is attached so that the red lead on your meter is attached to the negative terminal on the ignition coil. -

If that is so, why does the set of points have a slot in the bottom plate?

Scroll up. Do you see a red lead?

I admit, I have a cheat sheet somewhere how to hook the dwell meter up to my jeep truck Buick 350, but never once needed a dwell meter for my other cars.

Slot on the points is to set the gap with a screw driver using a Feeler guage, or back in in your day, a match book cover.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Scroll up. Do you see a red lead?

I admit, I have a cheat sheet somewhere how to hook the dwell meter up to my jeep truck Buick 350, but never once needed a dwell meter for my other cars.

Slot on the points is to set the gap with a screw driver using a Feeler guage, or back in in your day, a match book cover.

Right? Then just set base timing by watching/listening for the spark.

[NoHaveMSG]

I’m so confused. Where do I put the matchbook?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Right? Then just set base timing by watching/listening for the spark.

I did a mix of all three. Use a feeler, adjust by watching if felt needed and then check with meter once back together. Was pretty rare to have to go back in and change the angle.
Until of course the temperature or humidity changed, the wind changed direction, a bird flew over or you sneezed while turning left and you had to adjust it all again.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I’m so confused. Where do I put the matchbook?

I know right!
I tried to tune the FRS but couldn’t find the bolt to loosen the distributor so I could give it nudge to advance the timing and there is not an air/fuel mixture screw to be found.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Scroll up. Do you see a red lead?

I admit, I have a cheat sheet somewhere how to hook the dwell meter up to my jeep truck Buick 350, but never once needed a dwell meter for my other cars.

Slot on the points is to set the gap with a screw driver using a Feeler guage, or back in in your day, a match book cover.

Hey, OK, so your leads are all faded, how about hooking up the positive lead to the coil?

You're the one that said "And the points don't have an adjustment", which is not what I see in your picture.

Yep, a match book cover will get you close -

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I’m so confused. Where do I put the matchbook?

You put the matchbook under one leg of your laptop so it won't tilt.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I did a mix of all three. Use a feeler, adjust by watching if felt needed and then check with meter once back together. Was pretty rare to have to go back in and change the angle.
Until of course the temperature or humidity changed, the wind changed direction, a bird flew over or you sneezed while turning left and you had to adjust it all again.

I didn't know you have tried to tune an MG -

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I know right!
I tried to tune the FRS but couldn’t find the bolt to loosen the distributor so I could give it nudge to advance the timing and there is not an air/fuel mixture screw to be found.

Fer sure, fer sure - just open the hood, check the oil, shut the hood - call it good -

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I didn't know you have tried to tune an MG -

They were all about the same I think. Although I would say the Karmann Ghia was probably the most sensitive so maybe the European stuff was the worst.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Fer sure, fer sure - just open the hood, check the oil, shut the hood - call it good -

The hood opens?

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by humfrz

You put the matchbook under one leg of your laptop so it won't tilt.

Well that is inconvenient when I need to relight my cigar.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Well that is inconvenient when I need to relight my cigar.

Just use the lighter in the dash

Oh wait….