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View Poll Results: Who has been around the block?
I own a Timing light or atleast used one
14
22.58%
I have replaced and adjusted points style distributors
3
4.84%
Both 1 & 2
43
69.35%
I have never touched either one.
8
12.90%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

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  #21  
Old 12-28-2008 | 03:34 AM
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Ramdamit98
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I was looking for the distributor cap a couple years ago under the hood of my '99 Malibu. It ended up just being a lesson in modern tech which ended up a good lesson now that I moved up from My '98 Ram to my '05.
 
  #22  
Old 12-28-2008 | 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted by dhvaughan
i'm in for both. GM distributors even had little doors where you could insert the hex tool and set the ???? bonus points for who knows the word.

we also used to actually rebuild wheel cylinders, starters, alternators, and yes, generators.
anybody still got a wheel cylinder hone ? anyone actually use it in the last 25 years ?
anyone ever try to rebuild a carb, and then catch the engine on fire ? come on, admit it.

i also still own a record player, although its called a turntable. its actually a nice one. cost a bundle back in about '77. i've also got a big collection of '33' albums. more bonus points for those under the age of 30 that know what 33 refers to, as opposed to 45 and 78 ?
????=dwell
 
  #23  
Old 12-28-2008 | 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by formguy
????=dwell
formguy REALLY deserves a cookie!! I knew there was a name for it, but couldn't for the life of me remember, was one of those "on the tip of my tongue" things, you know, where you know you know it, but the brain freezes.

Yep, it was called adjusting the dwell. I can remember my dad, who worked at my uncles garage sat & sun for extra $ when I was a kid, talking about how GM got it right and with the shi$$y Fords, you had to keep shutting the engine off and removing the distributor cap to do it...
 
  #24  
Old 12-28-2008 | 09:00 AM
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KRZY.BMET
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From: Miramar, Florida
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18 yrs ago, I bought a '79 Monte Carlo. Swapped out the 305 for a 350. I borrowed a timing light, but never owned one. Since that car, I haven't touched one. LOL!!!
 
  #25  
Old 12-28-2008 | 11:00 AM
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TANKZ400
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Yes I've used both multiple times o and i'm 22
 
  #26  
Old 12-28-2008 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by HammerZ71
formguy REALLY deserves a cookie!! I knew there was a name for it, but couldn't for the life of me remember, was one of those "on the tip of my tongue" things, you know, where you know you know it, but the brain freezes.

Yep, it was called adjusting the dwell.

Ahhhh, I couldn't think of it either. So, I have a dwell meter rather than a points adjuster...lol It's still old. Could even be older than me?
 
  #27  
Old 12-28-2008 | 11:27 AM
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we_the_unforgiven
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From: North Dakota
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Originally Posted by HammerZ71
I was gonna blow your cover, but you only put month/day for your birthday in your profile.

Somebody started a "How old are you" thread in OFF TOPIC not long after I joined here. I had just turned 40 not long before. About 150 people ended up responding and I think 2 were older than me...

I'm actually shocked at the results so far...
Oof. Well I graduated at the turn of the millenium but we have to use such antiquated tools on the farm from time to time...
 

Last edited by we_the_unforgiven; 12-28-2008 at 11:30 AM.
  #28  
Old 12-28-2008 | 11:59 AM
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LinerJoe
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From: Indianapolis, IN
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I'm 31, and I have a timing light sitting in the garage. I have never changed points though. The only reason I have a timing light is because of my '66 Mustang. However, I haven't actually USED the timing light. My Mustang had already been converted to an electronic ignition so I never changed points. I have rebuilt the carb though (just this past summer), but no, it didn't catch on fire!

I didn't grow up around cars, and my Dad never worked on his, so I'm just now learning!

joe
 
  #29  
Old 12-28-2008 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by formguy
????=dwell
the winner !!!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_breaker

What is "dwell angle", and how do I measure it?
Dwell angle is a measure of the duration of time that the primary circuit of the ignition system is closed to energize the primary windings of the coil. It expressed (and measured) in degrees of rotation of the distributor rotor, hence the use of the term "angle".

In actual operation, as the distributor mechanism rotates, the points (or electronic module in electronic ignition systems) are closed for a certain number of degrees of rotation, and open between these points. Simply as a matter of interest, this means that the total number of degrees during which the points are closed, plus the total number of degrees that they are open, will equal 360 degrees.

In four cylinder engines, there is usually ample time for the primary circuit to be open and closed (to energize the coil) four times during each revolution of the distributor, which makes the dwell value less critical than in 6 and 8 cylinder engines. In four cylinder engines, there is more of a concern over having too much dwell time (during which time the coil is energized) which can result in high coil temperature and premature failure.
 
  #30  
Old 12-28-2008 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by dhvaughan
i've also got a big collection of '33' albums. more bonus points for those under the age of 30 that know what 33 refers to, as opposed to 45 and 78 ?
anybody know what the 33 refers to ? c'mon, guess. kids only please....
 


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