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I didn't gap... What could happen?

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KLUTZ

KLUTZ

Luke Skywalker
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I removed the 25D distributor from the '71 on Monday to check the points and condenser on it. I had been having problems with slight jerking and holding back at 60 mph on the highway. At 65 mph, it ran fine. My wife also had a problem last weekend where the car wouldn't go above 2500 rpm.
I ordered the parts from my mechanic but remembered that there were brand new points, condenser and rotor on the spare 25D Dizzy I took out of the 74.5 engine. I thought I would just swap them until I saw a crack in the side of it.
I took off the equiptment from the usable Dizzy and cleaned it up. The rotor was a little worn, and there was a lot of rust on the rotor stem. I sanded that all down. I then removed the points and condenser from the spare and screwed them down in the exact spot the others were in. I then put on the new rotor, installed it back in the engine, capped it and hooked up the wires. The car started immediatly and idled great. I took it out for a good run and I had none of the problems I had experienced prior. Pick-up is also remarkably much better. The car is REAL fun now. I also noticed last night that the car does not run-on for the 5 seconds like it was doing before. It doesn't run-on at all now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
What is the problem?
A co-worker asked me if I gapped the points when I put it in. UH.. No I didn't. Didn't even know I had to.
should I take it apart again and "gap" them? and how do I do that?
Or... did I maybe get lucky and set it up perfectly?

Thanks in advance again.

Paul
 
Gapping the points is very easy, I would recommend doing so. You only need to remove the dizzy cap.

Do you have a manual that explains how?

If not we can post instruction.

Glad to hear it is running better, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Paul, if it's running as well as you say, how much better are you liable to get it? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, if you get my drift.
Jeff
 
It's better and easier to check the dwell. You do have a dwell/tach meter, yes? If not, it's a great time to borrow one or better yet, buy one. Setting the dwell and setting the contact gap is essentially the same thing but more accurate with a dwell meter. And yes, once the dwell is set then you need to check/set the timing again.

Cheers,
John
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif

The gap determines the dwell. I usually use the gap to get it roughly right and then a dwell meter to do the "fine" adjustment.

An Overview:

https://www.centuryperformance.com/point_settings.asp

Use a manual to see what the proper settings should be for your car too.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Paul, the dwell is 60 degrees, but I'm sure you know that.
Jeff

[/ QUOTE ]



I know squat about points and condensers Jeff, but I am trying to read up on them now.
I have been blessed with Pertronix on my TR7 for 5 years. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Paul
 
One should *not* use "blessed" and "TR7" in the same sentence.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

YOMV
 
Nothing wrong with a TR-7... It's just a wannabe TR-8, without the fancy aluminum V-8. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
One should *not* use "blessed" and "TR7" in the same sentence.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

YOMV

[/ QUOTE ]


BLESSED...TR7...BLESSED...TR7...BLESSED...TR7...BLESSED...TR7...BLESSED...TR7...BLESSED...TR7...BLESSED...TR7...

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Could be the points slipped and the gap/dwell changed a little. It isn't impossible to just get the right by chance either; awhile ago I couldn't get my MG started just before a parade. I finally fiddled with the points, moved them a little, and tried again. The engine ran perfectly and got me through the parade. The next day I checked the dwell and it was absolutely perfect. Go figure.
 
A book of matches, the old paper kind can always be used to set the points in a pinch, the paper is just about the right thickness.
 
JW, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif wid Bugeye 58; Leave well enough alone---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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