Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

[turtle1173]

Hi all,<br /><br /> I just bought a new set of points today at autozone ($2.99, yeah ). So I took my distributor off and decided to check everything with my old set before replacing the points. My manual states that the point gap should be .014" Well mine was .020 which seems to be fairly substantial difference. What I am wondering is how far off would this have thrown the timing? What other problems might this have caused?<br /><br /> Let me also ask this: I was having a problem with not getting very high RPM's at WOT. How much would this timing change effect this?<br /><br /> I'm going to try and take her out tomorrow (weather permitting) to run her but I would like to find out today the effect this was having on the motor <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Shane

 

[scotiany]

Re: Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

.020 is the standard point setting for magneto ignitions. Maybe someone way back when didn't read the manual . Let us know if there is a difference. Do you check your speed with a GPS?

 

[turtle1173]

Re: Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

No, I don't have a GPS. I took a buddy out with me a week and a half ago who is very mechanically inclined. He didn't figure I was getting much over 3000 RPM's at WOT.<br /><br /> I was reading some in my manual last night. It stated that a difference in gap of .0015" could cause as much as 1 degree off on the timing. I did the math and it added up to 4 degrees that my timing would be off on the engine. I don't know if that would make much of a difference or not. Is 4 degrees that big of a deal?<br /><br />Shane

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

The original factory setting of timing on a Chrysler is 32 deg...with the change in the fuel...IE removal of lead..it was lowered to 30...so if you were out by 4 deg...you were only out by 2...28 would have been fine..but you of course would not be getting an actual full throttle.<br /><br />TMD

 

[Terry H]

Re: Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

without a tachometer you aren't gonna know the rpms...if there's only one guage an outboarder should pay attention to it would be a tach...you can't even prop it right without one...just a Thought

 

[turtle1173]

Re: Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

The whole 'points situation' was my own fault. I had adjusted the points without taking the distributor off and obviously didn't gap it right. So, I had it set to 30 degrees BTDC but gapped at .020. I guess that would have made my timing around 26 degrees BTDC. I don't know how "off" the timing has to be before it is noticeable in the running of the engine.<br /><br />Shane

 

[orange crush]

Re: Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

If you adjusted your timing to 30 BTDC when your gap was at .020" and don't change the gap, your timing is still at 30 BTDC. The .0015" per degree listed in the manual is if you change your gap after you set your timing.

If you have a type IV ignition, which I think you do, the standard breaker gap is .014".

If your gap is too large, you may not be getting enough charge to the primary coil, resulting in low secondary coil voltage, and a poor spark. Also, if your resistance across your points is high and your points are burnt (over 500 milliohms, certainly over 1 Ohm), then you are dropping too much voltage across your points which can lead to the same problem.

There area a ton of other things that could be causing your issues. Hope you get 'er figured out!

 

[Force 120]

Re: Timing Question -- 1972 85HP Chrysler

Hi all,<br /><br /> I just bought a new set of points today at autozone ($2.99, yeah
Hi, what is the part number of this points. I need a couple for my Chrysler. Thanks