reluctor- pickup gap?

[speedyb-cc]

What should the gap be? 72 Dart 318 factory electronic ign
Thanks and God Bless
Bruce

 

[63dartman]

.008 by the manual. Also says to use a non-magnetic feeler gauge. Hope that helps

 

[ramcharger]

Use brass gauge, you can get them at any auto parts store.

 

[speedyb-cc]

Thanks guys, good thing I asked didn't know about the brass or non magnetic gauge.
Bruce

 

[jimmyray]

Why is it important to use a brass gage? Will the reluctor be magnetized, or is it just to insure that the feeler gage does not stick to the magnetic pickup, thus giving a false reading?

 

[Aquick408]

Why is it important to use a brass gage? Will the reluctor be magnetized, or is it just to insure that the feeler gage does not stick to the magnetic pickup, thus giving a false reading?

.008 is correct, I actually like to pull the distributor out and run the reluctor up on one of the lift points and then adjust with fueler gauges and a screwdriver. Brass gauges are nice but not absolutely necessary.

 

[jimmyray]

Just want to make sure I did not magnetize the reluctor. Thanks!

 

[mullinax95]

I always heard a match book cover is good to use...non metal and just the right thickness.:-k

 

[linc]

business card thickness too

 

[mullinax95]

business card thickness too

You and I must be old school! LOL!

 

[jimmyray]

How about this one. I bought an FBO ignition package (dist/box,ballast/cap/rotr) and had it custom curved for my 408. When I received it hte first time (!), the engine would not start. After 4 run down batteries, I determined that the reluctor was installed using the wrong slot on the reluctor (it had 3!) I rotated to the correct one, and the engine fired right up. After about 800 mils, the reluctor got into the magnetic pickeup, and destroyed both. I sent it back, and they fixed it fro free. When I got it back last week, it came with a 0.090 gap!!! (not 0.009, mind you). I called Don at FBO, and he said it would work fine, don't adjust it. Well, it did fire up, but it missed and backfired occasionally. So I readjusted the gap to about 0.020, and it got a lot better, but still backfires occasionally. I need to set it to 0.008 I know, but am afraid it will hit the magnetic pickup again. Ever had this problem?

 

[Aquick408]

You and I must be old school! LOL!

Old school matchbooks used to be .015 for adjusting point gaps, but the cheap ones they produce today are about half the thickness. never had a reluctor and pickup hit b4 though. Just lock the screw down tight.