What is the Dwell on a 390 motor?

[marine6212]

Hey Guy's,
I just got my truck running again I need to set the Dwell on it. I have a dwell meter but have no idea what the dwell shoud be? Can any one give me a idea what it should be!! This will be my first time using a dwell meter!!

Thanks,
Marine6212

[FORD428CJ]

I want to say its 34-36 for your dwell!?

[rubiranch]

26-30 degrees

[stangconv]

timing = dwell?

[ares360]

so is that the timing degrees or what?

[fordman]

dwell is the angle of the points. how do you set it on a ford i don't know. i do know that you have to use a meter. on the older gm's you could like a metal tab on the side of the dist cap and turn the allen screw to set the dwell. i turned that screw once and it didnt seem to do anything. i was 16 when i did that. and i never did it again becuase it didnt seem to do anything to my car at the time.

[3rdowner]

24-30, I've always used 28. Never had a problem. Truck starts first time every time.
ED

[mylifeswork]

I've always run 28 to 32 degrees on all V8 engines. On the ford you have to set it with the cap off and a feeler gauge. Use a .016" feeler gauge to set the points. Of course make sure the cam lobe on the distributor shaft is on the rubbing block of the points so it is fully open. This should put you in the ball park of 28 to 32 degrees. If you have a dwell meter you can then verify the dwell reading. If not you can leave it there. One thing to mention is always set the dwell before adjusting the ignition timing. Dwell adjustment will change the timing but timing will not change the dwell. Point adjustment should be checked every 3,000 miles for adjustment. The main reason points were done away with is they won't keep adjustment the timing is always off. Keeps us from getting good mileage and maintain good emissions. Electronic is always better. Stays in tune.