Close up the gap just a little. "Dwell" indicates the number of degrees of distributor rotation the points "dwell together"- - - -points closed, to make it simple. A 6-lobe distributor cam has 60 degrees between high spots, and the points need to stay closed approximately 2/3 of the time, so 40 degrees would be the maximum points closed time. Early stovebolt distributors ran 37-38 or more, while later models dropped the dwell down to the low 30's for some reason.
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!