Chevrolet Corvette 1963 Repair & Tune-Up Manual page 50

the wire firmly into the tower on the distrib-
utor cap, then seat the boot over the tower.
Repeat the process for each cable.
NOTE: Always replace the points and con-
denser together. Uniset@ points are avail-
able which combine the point set and con-
denser, greatly simplifying installation.
Breaker Points and Condenser
REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
Point alignment is preset at the factory and
requires no adjustment. Point sets using the
push-in type wiring terminal should be used
on those distributors equipped with an R.F.I,
(radio frequency interference) shield (1970—
74). Points using a lockscrew type terminal
may short out due to the shield contacting
the screw.
NOTE: The optional magnetic pulse dis-
tributor and the HEI (High Energy Igni-
tion) system used on some 1974 and all
1975—79 models requies no maintenance
other than checking the condition of the cap
and wires. There are no points to wear out
or adjust.
1. Remove the radio interference shield
from around the distributor. Unlatch and re
move the distributor cap.
2. Remove the rotor.
3. If so equipped, remove the two-piece
R.F.I. shield.
4. Loosen the two mounting screws and
slide the contact point set from the breaker
plate.
5. Remove the two wires which are con
nected to the point set.
6. Loosen the condenser bracket screw
and slide the condenser from the bracket.
7. Install the new point set and con
denser and then tighten the mounting screws.
The points are retained by screws; use a mag-
netic screwdriver to avoid losing them
TUNE-UP AND PERFORMANCE MAINTENANCE
The condenser is held In place by a screw and a
damp
8. Install the wires to the terminal so that
they will not interfere with the cap, weight
base, or breaker advance plate. Install the half
of the R.F.I. shield which covers the points
first.
9. Have an assistant "tap" the ignition key
to turn the engine until the rubbing block of
the point set is centered on one of the distrib
utor cam lobes. Turn the ignition key off.
10. Using a ¥s in. alien wrench, make an
initial point setting of 0.019 in.
11. The cam lubricator (if so equipped)
must be replaced after 12 months or 12,000
miles. The end of the lubricator should be
adjusted to just touch the cam lobes. Addi
tional grease should not be applied to the lu
bricator.
12. Install the rotor. The two lugs on the
bottom of the rotor are shaped differently, so
that it can only be installed one way. Tighten
the screws. Start the engine and check the
point dwell and the ignition timing.
Dwell Angle
Dwell angle is the amount of time (measured
in degrees of distributor cam rotation) that the
contact points remain closed. Initial point gap
(0.019 in.) determines dwell angle. If the
points are too wide they open gradually and
dwell angle (the time they remain closed) is
small. This wide gap causes excessive arcing
at the points and, because of this, point burn-
ing. This small dwell doesn't give the coil suf-
ficient time to build up maximum energy and
so coil output decreases. If the points are set
too close, the dwell is increased but the points
may bounce at higher speeds and the idle be-
comes rough and starting is made harder. The
wider the point opening, the smaller the dwell
and the smaller the gap, the larger the dwell.
Adjusting the dwell by making the initial point
gap setting with a feeler gauge is sufficient to
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