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What should the Dwell reading be

Tiny
POLIZEME25
  • MEMBER
  • 1964 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 0.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 60,000 MILES
Hi

Can someone tell me what the Dwell reading should be on a 4 cylinder engine? My meter reads only 6 and 8 cylinders.

Thank you, Kenny
Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 9:39 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,451 POSTS
For an air cooled VW you set the points gap at.016-.018 and that should give you a dwell angle around 44 to 50 degrees. The book spec. Is 47 degrees +- 3. Using the 8 cylinder scale on your meter you should see double the dwell angle you have. So say on the 8 cylinder setting you see a dwell of 90 degrees, that should equal 45 degrees on a 4 cylinder.
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Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
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Steve, thank you for the information.
Appreciate the help.

Kenny
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Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,451 POSTS
You're welcome.
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Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
POLIZEME25
  • MEMBER
  • 61 POSTS
Steve,

Hi, I was able to test the dwell and the reading was 20 for 8 cylinder, so I believe the reading is 40 for the 4 cylinder. If I understand from what you
Said, this reading is too low. Does this mean the points are open too much?
Or perhaps the meter needs to be adjusted?

Please let me know.

Thank you, Kenny
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Friday, May 22nd, 2020 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,451 POSTS
The higher the angle the farther open the points are. So to increase the dwell time you close the gap. I would clean them real good, then see what a feeler gauge shows. My guess is they are close to.019 or so. Tighten them up a bit. Just don't go too far as keeping the points closed an excessive time can cause the coil to heat up. Also keep in mind that the points will wear and close up gap as the rubbing block wears so it's a constant service item.
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Friday, May 22nd, 2020 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
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  • 61 POSTS
Steve. Thank you, appreciate your help.
Take care, stay well.

Kenny
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Friday, May 22nd, 2020 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
If I could jump in, for future reference, use the 8 cylinder scale on your meter and just cut the reading in half.

That is how we did it in the old days.

Roy
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Monday, May 25th, 2020 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
POLIZEME25
  • MEMBER
  • 61 POSTS
Roy,

Thank you, just needed a small tweek.
Runs much better, don't even need to choke it.

Take care.

Kenny
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Monday, May 25th, 2020 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good job.

You are welcome.

Roy
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Monday, May 25th, 2020 AT 3:06 PM

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