Classic/Antique Car Repair/set ponints 66 buick

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Expert: Dick Benjamin - 2/22/2004


Question
How do I set the points on a 66 buick skylark.
I don't need specks or mesurments I have all that
I just need the procedure. Can I find it online somewhere.

Answer
I answered this before, but the site was down and it got thrown away, I guess.

SOOOO< here goes again!

The right way is to get a dwell angle meter, hook it up per the meter instruction, start the engine, open the metal window in the side of the distributor cap, insert the right size allen wrench, and turn the adjusting screw until the dwell reads 30 degrees (or 45 if it is a 6 cylinder).

A temporary adjustment can be made by setting the point gap.  Position the engine so the points are as far open as they will go (watch the rotor cam while you slowly rotate the engine).  Then turn the allen socket screw until the gap is right (measure with a feeler gauge).   This is a really crude way to set the points, but it will get the car running well enough to take it to someone with a dwell angle gauge.

Dick.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Dick Benjamin

Expertise

I can help on most American passenger cars built between 1930 and 1970, and Imperials through 1983. I have over 50 years experience in restoring and maintaining antique and classic cars, including 20 years operating a classic car repair shop. I am now retired, but I am willing to help with any questions of a technical or mechanical nature. I have more experience with Packard, Studebaker, Hudson, Imperial and other luxury makes, but I do have reference material and experience with most makes.


I do not know anything about modifying cars - if that is what you want to know about, pick someone else. I keep them the way the factory built them, and I advise you to do the same, to maintain the value of the car and also for your safety.


 I can only handle mechanical or technical questions - I am not a body/paint expert!

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Past/Present Clients
Currently support a technical advice service for the Imperial club, responsible for the technical data section of the Packard Club website. Served as a technical expert for "Expert Central" before it was recently absorbed by this service.

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