how to set point gap

[tony dz]

can anybody point me to some instructions on how to set point gap?<br /><br />Happen to know the gap setting for a '78 Mercruiser 165 inline 6?

 

[bluemist]

Re: how to set point gap

Usually .02 .018-.022 is generally good place to start. Get a manual it covers the whole procedure. You can also type 'setting breaker points' in google and get answers.<br />Have fun,<br />AL

 

[Don S]

Re: how to set point gap

You can get buy with setting the points by gap only enough to get it running so you can set the dwell with a dwell meter. It's just to hard to get the gap right unless you have a lot of experience doing it with a feeler gauge. I don't even use a feeler gauge anymore. It's really easy to just crank the engine with the cap and rotor off and adjust the dwell. Then run recheck when running, you usually have to change a few degrees. <br />Then after getting the dwell set, you MUST reset the timing to spec. Dwell effects timing.