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Re: Points Gap, Timing for '71 142S[140-160/1971] posted by George Downs on
Saturday, 6 October 2001, at 8:42 p.m.
Unless your distributor is quite a bit newer than your car
you probably will need a smaller point gap to get the dwell
angle within the 57-63° specified by the manual. If you don't
have a dwell meter, get one. They are cheap and also usually
incorporate a tachometer also.
I usually set my timing to about 21-24° BTDC at idle with the
vacuum connected, which works out about the same as 10° with it
disconnected and saves you disconnecting it, speeding up the idle
to keep it running after you plug the vacuum port, etc If it pings
under heavy load you can back it off a bit but remember it is normal
to get a little pinging under very heavy load. Retarded timing
(not enough advance) will overheat your engine, reduce power and
burn your exhaust manifold and pipe.
George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma