[Healeys] Dwell angle for standard BN1 100/4

[Bob Spidell]

OK, I'll bite. What does distributor dwell have to do with the lift of the cam? My understanding is dwell angle is basically optimized to provide an optimal time period to charge the primary circuit in the coil to an optimum value to produce the best spark from the secondary circuit (at least, within a fairly narrow range of engine speed). Dwell, in time duration, may be too long at slow speeds--which is why coils tend to heat up if idling for too long--and too short at high RPMs (which is one of the primary advantages of some electronic ignitions--they can keep a constant time duration throughout the range of engine speeds). 

What am I missing? 

Bob 

----- Original Message -----



Damn... I am losing it.. so, now the 38 degree thing is (in typical 
British fashion-opposite) the degrees that the points are open. 
Finally, if anyone has an easy way to determine the difference between 
a standard or high lift cam visually I'm all ears. Would also like to 
know the reasons for fitting different cams... I'm out of reading time 
for the day.. 
dave 
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