actually - dwell angle is important in all types of ignition points style right thru to multi-coil EFI-driven ignitions.
it's to do with the amount of time 'charging' the coil (actually, it would be more accurate to say that coil windings are saturated for X duration of cam or crank rotation).
If the dwell angle is too short, the coil won't give you a deent spark - particularly at high RPM, if the angle is too long then you risk cooking your coil.
in a points system, you can modify the angle by changing the length of the wiper that rubs on the cam/lobes of the shaft - in an modern ignition system (electronic or ECU controled) you plug in numbers via a laptop or hand-held unit - if the system allows - most factory setups don't allow you to.
Sat, 09 April 2005 09:56
