[Oldsguy]

There are two ways to set points. The first way is to do it with the distributor cap off and car not running (of course), this is the point gap setting. You have to use a feeler guage set to do this. Your manual should give a point gap setting, if it doesn't get one that does. The way you set the point gap is to rotate the rotor in the distributor manually and observe the points. They should open and close. At the place where the space between the points is the largest should be the setting as specified in the manual (say it is .035 in). If it isn't, you have to use an allen wrench to adjust the space to the correct point gap. You should be able to slide the appropriate feeler guage (.035 in for our example) in and out of the space with minimal resistance offerd by the points as they drag against the feeler guage. You may have to use a combination of guages to get the correct size, ie. a .025 with a .010 to make a .035. After you have set the points this way, then if you have a tach/dwell meter (you should have one since you own an older car) you can verify the dwell is correct. Dwell is relative to the points and is a dynamic way to measure point gap. Your manual should also give the dwell setting for your engine in the tune up specs. Let's say the dwell should be 28 degrees but when measured you get 32 degrees. You will have to re-adjust the screw you adjusted earlier with the allen wrench when you did the point gap setting. There should be a window in the distributor cap to allow this to be done, it should be covered with a metal sliding cover that can be lifted up. Set up your tach/dwell meter, start the engine, read the measurement, and adjust while the engine is running (warm and off choke, at idle). Usually the book says to do this at a particular engine rpm also, so if that is off a little you should adjust that first (say 850 in park). The only thing to watch for is dropping the allen wrench!!

Good luck