I just spent 2 months learning that if the points don't produce a strong spark the truck stalls when shifted out of 1st gear. That takes me to the subject of this post.
I installed a new cam in a 1958 235 and made sure the gears meshed in the right place. The book said to set the timing at TDC, the points at .016 and the dwell at 27-35. I've checked the dwell with the engine running and it is 26. The engine runs pretty well but I've been told over and over to set the timing at 8-10 BTDC.
The engine is in great shape, 115 plus in each cylinder, 14 pounds of vacuum, (I live in Salt Lake City, just shy of 5,280 feet) I installed a new stock 261 cam. I drove the truck just after installing the cam and it is very strong through the gears and had plenty of pull at 65 when I slowed down
Where should the timing be set to get it running at it's peak and once done what should the dwell be?
