Date:         Thu, 14 Apr 2005 21:42:39 -0400
Reply-To:     Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Ignition points wear
In-Reply-To:  <425f08ba.39fbaabc.750b.4062SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Howdy List,

My air cooled '82 westy is still running a breaker type ignition
system.  My engine and I are big fans of fresh bosch points with the
ignition settings precisely adjusted.  I installed my most recent set
of points in Memphis tn on my way east to Asheville NC.  The dwell was
just around 47 when I left Memphis but when I got to Asheville the
point gap had reduced itself to less than a tenth of an inch.  The
engine had become difficult to crank and had less power.  I performed
an ignition tune up and all was back to normal.  That was two weeks
ago with very little driving since then (300 miles or so).  Yesterday
I noticed a bit of sluggishness which turned out to be a reduced point
gap.  The dwell had gone from about 45 (I set it a bit low just in
case the points settled some more) to around 55.  I have been using a
lightweight lube on the distributor lobes.

Anybody have any tips or techniques to share.  How long can most of
you go before your dwell and timing need to be reset??

I am considering making the switch to a breakerless system because I
am getting tired of the tune-ups.  Setting everything is easy but as
those of you who full-time it know,, getting the tools and engine
unearthed takes twice as long as the tune-up itself..

Thanks ya'll

Jonathan Poole