[E-Type] Point gap

E-Type
1

Can someone please tell me what the proper gap is for points and plugs on a
4.2?

Thanks

Tim
68 1.5 2+2

2

Hi Tim
.025 for spark plugs and .015 for points. It would be better to set the
points gap by the use of a dwell meter.
Regards
John J Black
Waterloo Drivetrain Systems
www.waterloo-dtr.com-----Original Message-----
From: owner-e-type@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-e-type@jag-lovers.org]On
Behalf Of Tim Brandt
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 9:41 AM
To: ‘e-type@jag-lovers.org’
Subject: [E-Type] Point gap

Can someone please tell me what the proper gap is for points and plugs on a
4.2?

Thanks

Tim
68 1.5 2+2

3

How does one use a dwell meter? I have a sears “multi tester” that must be
at least 20 years old, but no instructions. It had two leads that come off
it and a dwell scale, amongst other things. Sort of looks like a glorified
voltmeter. Any ideas on how I could use this beast to meaure dwell? Any
where would I connect the leads - to the coil, or the points or??

Craig
65 OTS

At 06:31 PM 07/04/00 -0700, you wrote:>Hi Tim

.025 for spark plugs and .015 for points. It would be better to set the
points gap by the use of a dwell meter.
Regards
John J Black
Waterloo Drivetrain Systems
www.waterloo-dtr.com

4

Craig,

My Sears “Engine Analyzer” has a number of attachments for possible use,
but for measuring dwell, the key wire clips to the coil connector that goes
to the distributor. I think that’s different for your 4.2 than for my '64
3.8,
so you’ll have to look in the manual or follow the wire to be sure.

This wire has a GREEN clip on my meter.

There are red and black clips, which attach to the pos and negative battery
poles. I would assume that in the case of two wires only the other one
would go to ground on the engine somewhere.

Then I have to set a dial to “dwell”. I believe the service manual gives a
dwell setting for the 4.2.

My meter won’t work on positive ground systems, which is why it’s
been useless to me for Jag work until last year when I converted my car
to negative ground (so I could use a real radio safely).

Best of luck!

Jerry

Jerry Mouton mailto:@mouton Laissez les bons temps
rouler!----- Original Message -----
From: “Craig Talbot” talbotc@cadvision.com
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 8:08 PM
Subject: RE: [E-Type] Point gap

How does one use a dwell meter? I have a sears “multi tester” that must be
at least 20 years old, but no instructions. It had two leads that come off
it and a dwell scale, amongst other things. Sort of looks like a glorified
voltmeter. Any ideas on how I could use this beast to meaure dwell? Any
where would I connect the leads - to the coil, or the points or??

Craig
65 OTS

At 06:31 PM 07/04/00 -0700, you wrote:

Hi Tim
.025 for spark plugs and .015 for points. It would be better to set the
points gap by the use of a dwell meter.
Regards
John J Black
Waterloo Drivetrain Systems
www.waterloo-dtr.com

5

H Craig
Sorry it took so long to get back to you but i was away all day yesterday.
The leads are for a ground (usually black) and the coil connection, this
picks up the signal to the points. Take care some dwell meters give the
readings as a % of a circle and others use degrees. This can be confusing.
I hope this helps.
Regards
John J Black
Waterloo Drivetrain Systems
www.waterloo-dtr.com-----Original Message-----
From: owner-e-type@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-e-type@jag-lovers.org]On
Behalf Of Craig Talbot
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 8:09 PM
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Subject: RE: [E-Type] Point gap

How does one use a dwell meter? I have a sears “multi tester” that must be
at least 20 years old, but no instructions. It had two leads that come off
it and a dwell scale, amongst other things. Sort of looks like a glorified
voltmeter. Any ideas on how I could use this beast to meaure dwell? Any
where would I connect the leads - to the coil, or the points or??

Craig
65 OTS

At 06:31 PM 07/04/00 -0700, you wrote:

Hi Tim
.025 for spark plugs and .015 for points. It would be better to set the
points gap by the use of a dwell meter.
Regards
John J Black
Waterloo Drivetrain Systems
www.waterloo-dtr.com