How to read dwell meter

  • ckahleer
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How to read dwell meter

14 Jun 2021 09:03
#850186
I have an old analog Sun dwell/tachometer, probably from the 70's.
It has a range for 4/8 cyl and 6 cyl.. Am I correct to assume I can put it in the 4/8 range and multiply the reading by 4?
When adjust points doing it this way, point gap with feeler gage is slightly smaller than service manual specs of 3 - 4mm. I get about 2.7mm
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  • gd4now
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Re: How to read dwell meter

14 Jun 2021 10:05
#850188
I am not sure this will be of help to you, but it has been discussed  see  forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=61607.0

I am sure others will chime in on this topic. 
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  • Warren3200gt
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Re: How to read dwell meter

14 Jun 2021 10:07
#850189
Yes, you are correct in your assumption to multiply your readings.

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  • Mikaw
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Re: How to read dwell meter

14 Jun 2021 10:48 - 14 Jun 2021 10:49
#850191
Does this help.

 
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Last edit: 14 Jun 2021 10:49 by Mikaw.

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  • loudhvx
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Re: How to read dwell meter

14 Jun 2021 23:32
#850212
You multiply the 8cyl dwell reading by 8 to get the Kz's dwell reading in crank degrees..

here are a couple links to the same answer with more detail..

www.kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/611996-ig...ting-question#816016

www.kzrider.com/forum/21-tools/599346-ti...meter-options#686524

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Re: How to read dwell meter

15 Jun 2021 05:26
#850216
ckahleer post=850186I have an old analog Sun dwell/tachometer, probably from the 70's.
It has a range for 4/8 cyl and 6 cyl.. Am I correct to assume I can put it in the 4/8 range and multiply the reading by 4?
When adjust points doing it this way, point gap with feeler gage is slightly smaller than service manual specs of 3 - 4mm. I get about 2.7mm
The short answer is, we use 23 ~ 23.5 deg. with the dwell meter on the 8 cyl. setting.  We confirmed this many years ago after researching the question on the interwebs by very carefully setting new points with a gap gauge, then checking with a dwell meter.

Unless the points are brand new, there is usually a little material transfer between the contact surfaces due to arcing.  A pit on one contact that has lost material to the other contact, creating a high spot.  Which contact loses material depends on the +/- mismatch of condenser value, which is virtually never a perfect match.  That high spot will create an error when using a physical gap gauge, resulting in a larger gap than specified.

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