Ignition: Avanti dwell factoid

[Hawklover]

It is not in the Avanti shop manual, but there is some "wiggle" room when it comes to the actual running dwell spec.
In both R-1 and R-2 one can be "off" 2 degrees max in either direction: So where the running dwell is 32-36 degrees, one can find that he can still be within spec from 30-38 degrees.
Indeed after over 35 years my points are still within this parameter, I attribute this to my constant attention to making sure the dist cam is well lubed....rubbing block reduction being nil. This information was gleaned from the 1963 Sun Electric Corporation form # 690-630-068.

[PackardV8]

Setting the dwell for dual points on the rear mounted Studebaker distributor is slightly difficult in the Avanti; pure hell when in a GT and some lesser circle of hell in a Lark. Today, I wouldn't even try on a Hawk; pull the distributor and get them spot on in a distributor machine.

jack vines

[Hawklover]

Setting the dwell for dual points on the rear mounted Studebaker distributor is slightly difficult in the Avanti; pure hell when in a GT and some lesser circle of hell in a Lark. Today, I wouldn't even try on a Hawk; pull the distributor and get them spot on in a distributor machine.

jack vines

Jack some years ago I had the chance to purchase a Sun Dist machine, and I would have given it to my bud who has a shop, well he dicked around for too long and I just forgot about it. They are a great tool to have, back in 1967 the shop my dad took the Avanti had that machine, I still remember watching the owner pull the dist and set it up in that machine. Sadly that machine is mostly Jurassic in the NYC metro as is an AAMCO brake lathe, nobody turns drums!

[PackardV8]

Jack some years ago I had the chance to purchase a Sun Dist machine, and I would have given it to my bud who has a shop, well he dicked around for too long and I just forgot about it. They are a great tool to have, back in 1967 the shop my dad took the Avanti had that machine, I still remember watching the owner pull the dist and set it up in that machine. Sadly that machine is mostly Jurassic in the NYC metro as is an AAMCO brake lathe, nobody turns drums!

The current problem is parts. The Chicom points are not reliable. And don't get me started about vacuum canisters. Most of the sixty-year-old originals, the rubber diaphragm is perished. When the Chicom repops can be found, they often are not to spec. I've been modifying Mopar units, but that's not really cost-effective.

Which reminds me, I've still got a couple of V8 distributors I converted to Mopar solid state triggers which will never need points or dwell settings. Yet another not-cost-effective endeavor.

jack vines

[Hawklover]

The current problem is parts. The Chicom points are not reliable. And don't get me started about vacuum canisters. Most of the sixty-year-old originals, the rubber diaphragm is perished. When the Chicom repops can be found, they often are not to spec. I've been modifying Mopar units, but that's not really cost-effective.

Which reminds me, I've still got a couple of V8 distributors I converted to Mopar solid state triggers which will never need points or dwell settings. Yet another not-cost-effective endeavor.

jack vines

Jack back in the day I converted the Prestolite to the Mopar SS. Nothing but trouble, the advance curve was way way too hot! In the end I went back to the points after having the dist rebuilt with bronze bushed weights, and a ball bearing breaker plate the Mopar Prestolites came with. I carry many sets of original ignition parts from 50 years ago, and a tach/dwell. If I break down I can be on my way in about an hour after tossing in new points and cond.

[64studeavanti]

Setting the dwell for dual points on the rear mounted Studebaker distributor is slightly difficult in the Avanti; pure hell when in a GT and some lesser circle of hell in a Lark. Today, I wouldn't even try on a Hawk; pull the distributor and get them spot on in a distributor machine.

jack vines

Good luck finding a distributor machine!

[PackardV8]

Good luck finding a distributor machine!

I've had an Allen in the garage for forty years now. Not quite as good as the Sun, but suffices.

Jack back in the day I converted the Prestolite to the Mopar SS. Nothing but trouble, the advance curve was way way too hot! In the end I went back to the points after having the dist rebuilt with bronze bushed weights, and a ball bearing breaker plate the Mopar Prestolites came with. I carry many sets of original ignition parts from 50 years ago, and a tach/dwell. If I break down I can be on my way in about an hour after tossing in new points and cond.

The trigger mechanism,whether points or solid state, has nothing to do with the advance curve. The advance curve can be set to whatever you want it to be. There's nothing built in which cannot be changed with springs, weights and vacuum canister. The two I have on the shelf have the R1 curve built in, but easy enough to do an R2 or whatever.

jack vines

[64studeavanti]

Jack, I am glad that you have a distributor machine. For the rest of us unfortunates ...

[Hawklover]

I've had an Allen in the garage for forty years now. Not quite as good as the Sun, but suffices.

The trigger mechanism,whether points or solid state, has nothing to do with the advance curve. The advance curve can be set to whatever you want it to be. There's nothing built in which cannot be changed with springs, weights and vacuum canister. The two I have on the shelf have the R1 curve built in, but easy enough to do an R2 or whatever.

jack vines

The "moron" I purchased the MoPar from had the incorrect advance spring in it, and it F-ing pinged like an SOAB! never gain Jack NEVER........like I said nothing more simple than a set of points. I like being hands on, which is why I generally eschew CDs, and prefer Lps and open reel analog tape. I sold the Mopar and never looked back!

[Bud]

I aim for 36 deg dwell on the dual point distributors when I set them up. Fortunately I have a Snap On distributor machine that makes the job of setting dwell a bunch easier. I've seen that the dwell for dual point distributors should be 36 to 40 degrees or 32 to 36 degrees depending on which points are used. Bud

[Hawklover]

I aim for 36 deg dwell on the dual point distributors when I set them up. Fortunately I have a Snap On distributor machine that makes the job of setting dwell a bunch easier. I've seen that the dwell for dual point distributors should be 36 to 40 degrees or 32 to 36 degrees depending on which points are used. Bud

The consensus today is that one should go with the second set of numbers.......(32-36) The early R-1 points have not been available for over at least 50 years.

[Gunslinger]

NAPA has Avanti ignition points...NAPA part #ECH CS720A...$16.29 each. According to NAPAonline.com my local NAPA store has them in stock.

[Hawklover]

NAPA has Avanti ignition points...NAPA part #ECH CS720A...$16.29 each. According to NAPAonline.com my local NAPA store has them in stock.

Made in China.

[altair]

I removed my V8 distributor clamped it in my vice and adjusted the points with a feeler gage, what could be simpler?

[Hawklover]

I removed my V8 distributor clamped it in my vice and adjusted the points with a feeler gage, what could be simpler?

LOL I effectuate that procedure with the dizzy in the car, no problem!