Lincoln V12 dwell setting?

[idrivejunk]

Anybody know if theres a way to set the dwell on a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr V12?

We wondered if you can use the 6 cyl setting and check each side of the distributor seperately?

I'm not personally working on this, but a co-worker is. The car starts up and runs fine now. The points and distributor caps are fresh and the gap has been set by feeler gauge. Everything needs to last now that it runs good, but I/we can't find any info on how to set up a dwell meter on it for final adjustment. It has occurred to us that there may not be any way to do so, but I saw a setting of 26-28 somewhere on a tune-up spec sheet. He timed it without the "fixture on a bench" like you're supposed to use. I can't find a manual or anything so any guidance or reference material at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm more of a Delcotron and HEI-era guy, please help me understand. Thanks!

[wayne petty]

http://www.carnut.com/specs/gen/linc40.html

i don't know how many of the ignition timing setting bases are still floating around..

i would imagine that some of the members here have them...

if not... it might be worth a call to H and H flat heads.. see if the distributers can be over nighted to them and back.. as i know they build V12s also...

i have not had a chance to page thought all these pages to see if its discussed at all...

http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/engine/LincolnV12/index.htm

what a great set of pages for a ipad or tablet.. just flip through the pages..

[idrivejunk]

Howdy Wayne! Yeah I looked there but didn't find that one, thanks and thanks again for a quick reply. Still looking ...

[idrivejunk]

That manual (nice find) has nothing on the distributors, just the long block assembly. Dang. The link to specs shows 36 degrees though.

I found on an old AACA forum someone who had a Sun manual stating 36 degrees also, so 36 it is. Apparently one set of points is fixed and the other is adjustable. it would be nice to at least know if they match up.

I also read where they can be set like two seperate 6 cyl distributors and that the engine would run smooth on just one side if you disable one set of points. I'm not sure my Dad would remember or ever even knew how to check dwell on these, thats why I'm here hoping one of the rodders has been there and done that! I've got all weekend to dig for answers ...

[enjenjo]

If You time it like a Packard dual point, you disable the adjustable points, and time off the fixed points, then match the adjustable points to the fixed points. 36 degrees sound about right for dwell, that is similar to a 6 cylinder dwell figure.

It is much easier setting it up on a machine, and just doing the final timing on the engine. Unfortunately it's getting hard to find a machine, let alone someone who knows how to use it.

[idrivejunk]

I can certainly believe that! Thanks for the reply. The fixture is a pretty ancient artifact at this point, and the guys who know how to use it would probably be glad to show me how but couldn't care less about whats on the internet. I think the "catch" is that "checking dwell with a meter" didn't exist when the cars were new, ands thats why theres no mention of a procedure anywhere.

After reading bits and pieces on other V12s setups like that Packard or a Cadillac, I'm convinced that disabling one side at a time works. But do we do it with the engine off, like this? I feel kind of silly asking that.

Take out all the plugs
Disconnect both the coil wires
Put the corner of a business card between the adjustable points
Connect the dwell meter to the fixed side
Crank the engine and read dwell on 6 cyl setting (hopefully its close to 36, right?)
Move the card and meter to the other points
Crank engine and read dwell, then adjust to match

Does that sound like it will work, guys? Am I mixed up? It has to be a little better than just setting gaps but less perfect than doing it on a bench mounted fixture. Would we be able to check dwell with it running at all? I'm beginning to realize that I was spoiled by the easy GM window and allen wrench setup. I bought a car with a Mallory dual point on it once but ditched it for an HEI which I know about, so I've never set dual points myself.

[wayne petty]

thats sounds about right...

on one of the sites...  is said to move the adjustable points set 22 1/2 degrees off center.. then block off one set of points as you describe..

setting each one to 36 degrees of dwell on the 6 cylinder scale..

i cannot even find a decent picture of the distributer and the caps.. how it all works..

so.. if they end up removing it.. be sure to have your camera ready...

i did notice that for distributers up to 1940 on the V12 motors.. pertronixs has an ignitior #15121 available.. but i could not find any pictures or instructions on that either.. since its the week end.. nobody there..


they are not cheep either..


i wonder if you could bolt it to a piece of all thread thats clamped in a vice and spin the shaft with a power drill to check the dwell... use rubber hose to connect to the shaft..