Beckett,

See, when I installed my Pertronix, I did not replace anything else. So,
unless I am horribly mistaken, the dwell is still a somewaht valid tuning
parameter. Maybe the kind Doktor can enlighten us all.

Tom

----- Original Message -----
From: "Beckett Cantrell" <THX0980@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2000 4:01 PM
Subject: New Tech. in Old Applications.

> Hey Doc! I agree with what you've said, but am now wondering if  we have
all
> missed some important facts regarding the change over from a Kettering
ing.
> sys.(ie. points, condenser) to a Hall Effect sys(ie. Pertronix) I've got a
> stock  2.0L FI eng. in my Federal ' 80 Westy, with a manual trans. I've
added
> a Pertronix Ignitor, Tiger 581 CDI ignition module and platnium plugs. In
> regards to the various postings to the list as per the subject of dwell: I
> was under the understanding that dwell only applys to a Kettering style
ign.
> sys. When you switch to a Hall Effect, dwell no longer can be used as a
spec.
> because the Hall sender is switched on or off for the exact same period of
> time, independant of eng. rpm.( This was taught to me when I took the test
> for, and passed, the OMC and Mercruser Stern Drive and Inboard Master
> Technition certification, at both of their respective factories, when the
> subject of changing over to a Hall Effect ign. sys. was broached ) I was
told
> that switching out a Kettering sys. for a Hall Effect sys., in older
app.'s,
> was not detrimental, and in fact a worthy upgrade. As for a CDI sys.,
> anything that can deliver a constant 30kv to my plugs ( confirmed with a
> Snap-On kv meter) at all eng. speeds,from cranking to 5000rpm, can only be
a
> good thing.( remember, that with points, firing voltage dramatically drops
as
> rpm increase) As for the platinum plugs, well, I'll give you that one,
they
> just made me feel better!  All of the above equiptment was been installed
on
> this particular eng. for over 50k miles, without problems, and documented
> gains in mpg and driveability(p-mail me Doc, and I'll send it off to ya').
> Remember, new technology is not always bad technology. Or are you one of
the
> folks who still think that adding sand seals to the VW eng. was a bad
idea?
> Yours,
> Beckett
>