Step by Step Adjusting Points? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

motocrosschump · 06-17-2005, 02:08 PM

Does anyone have a step by step guide to adjusting point gap on a 250?

Perchjerker · 06-17-2005, 02:48 PM

1. Buy a dwell meter.

2. Buy an allen wrench that will fit the point adjustment screw.

3. Hook up the dwell meter according to the instructions. Usually, you will need to hook the positive side to the + side on the coil and negative to ground.

4. Start the motor and check the dwell reading. For a V-8, it should be 30 degrees. I am not sure on a 6. The emissions tag on the drivers side inner fender well should have the correct number of degrees.

5. If the dwell is not right, turn the adjustment screw found under the metal plate on the side of the distributor cap foward or backward until the correct setting is obtained.

Your done. It will help if go buy new points and a condenser, they are easy to replace on cost only a few bucks at NAPA.

rambler · 06-17-2005, 02:52 PM

Step 6. Throw it all out and get a HEI...

Sorry couldn't resist... ( I think its all the sugar I had today...) and its Friday!

farside847 · 06-17-2005, 03:43 PM

I second the elec ignition. I got the cheap $40 one that fits inside the cap and its been trouble free!

motocrosschump · 06-17-2005, 03:56 PM

Thanks, but I am replacing the straight 6 in a few months for a 350

shifty · 06-17-2005, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambler

Step 6. Throw it all out and get a HEI...

Sorry couldn't resist... ( I think its all the sugar I had today...) and its Friday!

I was going to say the same thing

But, to each his own.

**Stocker** · 06-17-2005, 06:32 PM

Shoot - back in the day, we used to just set the gap to the thickness of a matchbook cover...

farside847 · 06-17-2005, 07:33 PM

My thumbnail was pretty close when I drove an old dodge dart....

Pilgrim · 06-17-2005, 08:08 PM

Install points. Snug mounting screw, but not tight. Hook up dwell meter. Have someone crank engine while you have a screw driver in adjustment slot. Check dwell. Turn screwdriver to get dwell on lower end. Tighten mounting screw tight.

Alternatively: Hook up dwell meter. Replace dist cap. Start engine. Check dwell. Stop enginie, remove dist cap and adjust. Keep this up until in specs.

Not hard. Just tedious.

Use money you saved up for HEI to buy Samuel Adams. Should be about 10 six packs.

Gordo · 06-17-2005, 08:49 PM

No allen wrench adjustment screw on the 6 banger. Do like pilgrim says.

cdowns · 06-17-2005, 09:23 PM

if you don't have and don't intend to buy a dwell meter the points can easily be set with a feeler gauge. proper specs is between .016"-.019"
ttake distrib cap and rotor off turn motor over to get the points ramp aligned with one ofthe high spots on the distributor cam(6highspots/6lowspots)turn adjusting screw to get slight drag on the feeler gauge. replace rotor and cap /// it might also be necessary to reset the timing slightly after setting points

also b-4 setting points you might take a piece of 400grit sandpaper and lightly clean the points surface to assure a flat contact area

you might also want to post your location in your sig somebody might just voluntear to stop by and show you

motocrosschump · 06-18-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

if you don't have and don't intend to buy a dwell meter the points can easily be set with a feeler gauge. proper specs is between .016"-.019"
ttake distrib cap and rotor off turn motor over to get the points ramp aligned with one ofthe high spots on the distributor cam(6highspots/6lowspots)turn adjusting screw to get slight drag on the feeler gauge. replace rotor and cap /// it might also be necessary to reset the timing slightly after setting points

also b-4 setting points you might take a piece of 400grit sandpaper and lightly clean the points surface to assure a flat contact area

you might also want to post your location in your sig somebody might just voluntear to stop by and show you

that was the answer I was looking for.. THanks

06-17-2005, 02:08 PM	#1
motocrosschump Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texarkana, AR 71854 Posts: 397	Step by Step Adjusting Points? Does anyone have a step by step guide to adjusting point gap on a 250? __________________ 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab Daily Driver 2005 Mazda Tribute (Wifes car) 1969 C10 SWB 350/3 Fleet "Max" 1969 Chevelle 2 door 350/3

06-17-2005, 02:48 PM	#2
Perchjerker Beer Power!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nacogdoches, TX Posts: 280	1. Buy a dwell meter. 2. Buy an allen wrench that will fit the point adjustment screw. 3. Hook up the dwell meter according to the instructions. Usually, you will need to hook the positive side to the + side on the coil and negative to ground. 4. Start the motor and check the dwell reading. For a V-8, it should be 30 degrees. I am not sure on a 6. The emissions tag on the drivers side inner fender well should have the correct number of degrees. 5. If the dwell is not right, turn the adjustment screw found under the metal plate on the side of the distributor cap foward or backward until the correct setting is obtained. Your done. It will help if go buy new points and a condenser, they are easy to replace on cost only a few bucks at NAPA. __________________ Rather be fishin'

06-17-2005, 02:52 PM	#3
rambler MOVE OVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 5,470	Step 6. Throw it all out and get a HEI... Sorry couldn't resist... ( I think its all the sugar I had today...) and its Friday! __________________ No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi

06-17-2005, 03:43 PM	#4
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	I second the elec ignition. I got the cheap $40 one that fits inside the cap and its been trouble free! __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

06-17-2005, 03:56 PM	#5
motocrosschump Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texarkana, AR 71854 Posts: 397	Thanks, but I am replacing the straight 6 in a few months for a 350 __________________ 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab Daily Driver 2005 Mazda Tribute (Wifes car) 1969 C10 SWB 350/3 Fleet "Max" 1969 Chevelle 2 door 350/3

06-17-2005, 06:32 PM	#7
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,598	Shoot - back in the day, we used to just set the gap to the thickness of a matchbook cover... __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

06-17-2005, 07:33 PM	#8
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	My thumbnail was pretty close when I drove an old dodge dart.... __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

06-17-2005, 08:08 PM	#9
Pilgrim Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Crescent City, FL Posts: 492	Install points. Snug mounting screw, but not tight. Hook up dwell meter. Have someone crank engine while you have a screw driver in adjustment slot. Check dwell. Turn screwdriver to get dwell on lower end. Tighten mounting screw tight. Alternatively: Hook up dwell meter. Replace dist cap. Start engine. Check dwell. Stop enginie, remove dist cap and adjust. Keep this up until in specs. Not hard. Just tedious. Use money you saved up for HEI to buy Samuel Adams. Should be about 10 six packs. __________________ Bob 68 C20 Camper Special

06-17-2005, 08:49 PM	#10
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	No allen wrench adjustment screw on the 6 banger. Do like pilgrim says. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

06-17-2005, 09:23 PM	#11
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	if you don't have and don't intend to buy a dwell meter the points can easily be set with a feeler gauge. proper specs is between .016"-.019" ttake distrib cap and rotor off turn motor over to get the points ramp aligned with one ofthe high spots on the distributor cam(6highspots/6lowspots)turn adjusting screw to get slight drag on the feeler gauge. replace rotor and cap /// it might also be necessary to reset the timing slightly after setting points also b-4 setting points you might take a piece of 400grit sandpaper and lightly clean the points surface to assure a flat contact area you might also want to post your location in your sig somebody might just voluntear to stop by and show you __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 06-17-2005 at 09:26 PM.

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