Flathead Distrib Question

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Hey everyone,

How do you adjust the DWELL on a stock flathead (8BA) distro (loadomatic)? Pictures would be helpful! I am a little slow at this stuff and all of my car guy buddies are 350 chevy guys. They keep telling me to look through the window http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On a sour note, I changed out my clutch and pressure plate and throw-out bearing today. I drove the car a whole 3 miles and one of the fingers broke off the new pressure plate http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif So now I get to tear it all apart again to get the thing out and send it back and wait for another new one http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

So while I can't drive it I would like to do a complete tune-up. I checked the dwell and it is at 72 should be like 58-62 according to the shop manual.

let me know!

Mike

[jalopy43]

Your right dwell should be 61% at 500 rpm (crank) point gap should be set at ..014-.016. The point gap controls the dwell angle.timing should be 2-4 btdc .total advance 19 btdc at 3000rpm, stock 8ba. According to "The magic of loadamatic" Ford service manual. Glenn

[Flat Ernie]

Check the flathead ignition timing post here:

Flathead Timing (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=460377&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1&vc=1&PHPSESSID=)

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

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Flat Ernie~
Thanks, but that post really didn't have the answer I was looking for. Cool info, but not how to adjust the dwell.

Jalopy~
Thanks for putting all that in one place. The only thing that isn't correct is the timing. I have mine advanced to scare off the overheating monster! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I don't recall the exact numbers right off but I know it isn't stock.

So when you say that the gap controls the dwell angle, if my gap is .015, then my dwell should be correct? Because it isn't correct! Otherwise would the advanced timing, mess with the dwell?

Thanks for all the info!
Mike

[jalopy43]

Hey TDC! The point gap does affect the dwell angle. Dwell is the amount of time your points stay closed,in relation to the dist. cam rotation. Kinda like the duration figure of a camshaft. It could be a worn bushing of your dist. causing a variation of your point gap. Are you using new points?Using a wire gauge to gap your points will be more accurate,than a flat feeler gauge. The timing figures I gave were from a ford manual. I am having the same problem, with overheating/retarded timing issues also. I would tend to favor more advance. The stock fiber cam gear drives the dist. ,so wear could be an issue there too. Sounds loke we are in the same boat! I think experimentation with variables are in order today. I hope I helped,and not confused you.Some more advise please,fellow hambsters!! Glenn

[TimW]

Hey guys, Just wanted to thank you all for posting this flathead stuff. I am on my first flatty and I have been dealing with a little overheating at idle. Timing never entered my mind... I fooled with water pumps, thermostats, wetting agents...after reading this post I advanced the timing on my 59A distributor and guess what? Idled for 30 minutes in the driveway at 500 rpm's and only got to 200 degrees, jumped in a drove down the street (subdivision) and it dropped back to 180 instantly. I am probably advanced a little too much but it runs good, no pinging and stays cool with just a slight surge at low speed. Thanks for posting this info! Tim

[Fortyfordguy]

He's right....setting the point gap determines the dwell. Unlike later GM Delco type distributors, there is no adjusting screw in the distr to make that adjustment after setting the points, so you have to use a feeler gauge to set them right. Use this link to find your stock distr specs on the late style flathead V8 engine:

Ford Flathead V8 Tune Up Specs (http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_tuneup49-53_239-255.htm)

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So if I am right on at .014-.016 then my Dwell should be right? Problem is that it isn't.... Now what????