How to Install a Dwell Meter
For old-time car enthusiasts, dwell meters are a crucial part of rebuilding their cars. A dwell meter is used to position the ignition points on an older non-electronic car and measure the dwell angle. Although such cars have not been made since the 1970s, you can still use dwell meters in car restorations. If the car has too little dwell, there is not enough spark energy; if there is too much dwell, then the car can overheat.
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Instructions
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Open the hood of your car and find the ignition coil or spark coil. It contains one or two cylinders generally located above and to the left to of the engine. Consult your car manufacturer guide if you are unable to locate it.
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Place the positive lead of the dwell meter on the negative lead of the coil. The negative lead is near where the wire from the ignition coil meets the distributor.
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Place the negative lead of the dwell meter to the A/C compressor. The compressor is a silver box or cylinder with a black cap that is located on the floor of the engine compartment. Use an Allen wrench to screw the meter on the top bracket to establish a strong foundation.
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Start the ignition and test whether the dwell meter is reading accurately. You will be testing the dwell angle, which is the time that the electronic control unit permits electric current to flow to the ignition coil. The meter is measured in amperage, with higher amperage producing a more stable and precise ignition. If the dwell meter does not function correctly, re-check the connections with the A/C compressor and ignition coil. If those are secure, remove the dwell meter and connect the positive and negative lead to batteries of the opposite sign to determine if the meter still works. As a last option, install it into another vehicle to check if it functions properly in a different vehicle.
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References
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