Isn't dwell a measurement of the points?  With the pertronix, there are no
more points, thus no dwell.  Is this thinking correct?

ADam Puzerewski
81 westy
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom and Dana Cates <dcates1@HOME.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2000 5:21 PM
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] New Tech. in Old Applications.

>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
>>