1948-1952 Shop Service Manual - - Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club

2 - 10 ENGINE TUNE-UP
set at .020", and 27 degrees on the eight cylinder, breaker
points set at .017".
Increase engine speed to 2000 R.P.M. Dwell Meter reading
should not vary more than 2 degrees.
NOTE: If the dwell angle is too great, the contact point
gap is set too close. If the dwell angle is too small, the
contact gap is too wide. An erratic reading of the Dwell
Meter will indicate faulty contact, a faulty breaker plate,
or worn distributor shaft and bearings. A change of dwell
angle when accelerating or decelerating the engine will
indicate a faulty breaker plate, bearing or support plate.
CONDENSER TEST
1. Block distributor points open with a piece of fibre. Disconnect
the primary lead wire at the distributor.
2. Check condenser lead to see that it is not frayed or broken
and is connected securely to breaker arm clip. Condenser
mounting screw must make tight ground to breaker plate.
Ground wire from breaker plate to sub-plate must be securely
connected.
3. To calibrate the condenser tester, connect the two
condenser test leads together Turn the condenser control
knob to the "Microhm" position and allow the
tester to warm up for one minute. Then turn the control
knob to read on the set line.
4. After calibrating the condenser tester leave switch in
"Microhm" position and connect the red lead to the
distributor primary terminal and the black lead to the
distributor housing, Figure 15.
5. With the control knob turned to the "Michrohm"
position, the meter should read in the blue bar marked
"MIC" at the right side for satisfactory condenser circuit
resistance. If the reading is not in the blue bar,
move grounded lead of condenser tester to the body of
the condenser. If reading improves, condenser is not
properly grounded. Move condenser pig tail lead
about. If a deflection of the meter is noted, lead is
making poor contact.
6. Turn the condenser switch to the. "Micro- farad". The
meter should read 20 to 25 microfarads for both six and
eight cylinder engines.
7. Turn the condenser switch to the "Meg-ohm" position.
Meter should now read in the blue bar at left side
marked "MEG" f o r satisfactory condenser insulation.
If the meter reads in the red bar or over to the extreme
right, replace the condenser.
FIGURE 15
NOTE: When making the above checks, the condenser
should be at operating temperatures.