dwell

[KD]

What is the proper  dwell for a 1940 V-16, I was told it was 28degrees, Is that correct?
Ken D CLC#26801

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

My old AEA charts show the combined dwell of the dual points at 31 degrees.

It looks like the individual points are set at 21.5 degrees.

John Washburn

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

OOoooppps,

Should have type in 22.5 instead of 21.5 degrees.

[KD]

The shop manual shows 27 degrees apart on figure 33, so I don't know which is correct
KD

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Ken,

The 1940 shop manual, page 34, figure 33 , is showing the degree setting so you can install the two distributors correctly.

Nothing to do with dwell. Not sure what you are looking at.

John Washburn

[KD]

Thanks John, so whats the dwell? Does it have to do with the dual points>
KD

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Ken,

Take a look at my article in this months Self Starter (March), it is about dual points which you have on the v-16.

Will answer you other e-mail also.

Hope this helps.

John Washburn

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

These are not dual points in the sense of your article John I don't think.  One is for the left bank and the other is for the right bank with a coil for each bank.  The dwell is 31 degrees and there is 22.5 degrees between the two which is 45 degrees on the crank.  This is the difference between firing between the cylinders firings on the left and right bank.  The tricky part is to make sure you turn the engine 45 degrees before you line up the rotor in the right distributor.  Right distributor has no points but there is at least one car where an attempt was made to put points in the right side.  Not a good idea.  Ken, see appendix L in the authenticity manual.

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Brad,

Understand that only one side has the dual points, and that the angle listed is for the insertion of the distributor, not the dwell setting.

The points dwell only allow the coil to charge, the discharge is when they points open, and the condenser reduces the emf, power, so that the points are not destroyed by the voltage. So if one is using a Distributor Machine, SUN or otherwise, to set this up, the individual dwell is 22.5 which gets us to the 31 required. Once both distributors are set correctly in place using the manual opening and closing of the points, acting like ac, will work.

So I am sticking with the dwell. But setting it by the manual is another matter, using the gap settings.

John Washburn

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Brad,

More pondering.

If each set of points is separate, one to each coil then the 22.5 dwell is to small to allow proper charging of the coil.

So now I am confused.

Will investiget...

jw

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Brad,

Yep you are correct.

Dug out an old National Service Manual form 1940 and it states:

"Cam Angle or Dwell -- 31 degrees closed (dwell) 14 degrees open (distr). Each set operates independently."

Sorry for the confusion

John Washburn

[KD]

Thank you Brad & John, I'll take the distributor to a speed shop near here that has a distributor machine.I'm getting real close to having my engine ready to start, probably a month or so. I can't wait to hear it run
KD

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

KD. I'm curious what the rebuild cost you ?

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Jeff,

If you have rebuilt a V-8 you can figure the cost.  All the pistons, valves etc are double.  Machining of cylinders double.  Rod bearings are a modern GM but new locating notches have to be made in the rod.  Size rods double.  The main bearings are not available so the old shells have to be rebabbited and line bored.  That is one difference to doing any of the similar Cadillac vintage V-8's either OHV or Flathead.  Balance engine - double or slightly less because no bob weights required in doing the crank and just one flywheel.  Two carburetors to do.  Two water pumps which can be a big expense if parts have to be made compared to a V-8.  So the bottom line is double the V-8 cost and add some more for the special stuff.  Other than the engine the rest of the car is the same as a big series V-8 including trans, rear end, front suspension, brakes (except the brake drums are finned).