VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Setting points gap

According to the shop manual for early ”˜50s cars there are two different points settings, one for 1949-52, and the other for 1953. My question is, does this apply to the engine or the distributor. My engine is a 1950 216, the distributor is a later model, possibly 1953. I have them set at .016 right now.

I dont know the book specifications but .016 would work though I think .014 would be a better setting.
Tony

1949-1952, 18 to 24 new points, 15-22 used points

1953 15-21 new and125-175 used

1953 and up used the lighter high speed arm and these points wrok ok in 1952 and oldethe less gaap can cause points to burn quicker

used points can be difficult to adjust correctly due to pits

rubbing block must be lubed

I USE 22 FOR ALL NEW

CHANGING GAP CHANGES TIMING

distributor model easilt identified by prat number stamped into plate

1953 and up dist has the talll cap

the slightly less gap was used in 1953 and up to pulll more "juice" from the coil for the new higher compression engiunes.

The distributor is the later model with the taller distributor cap. The points are used. So, am I to assume that I should adjust the points to the type of distributor and not the type of engine. I would have thought it would be to the engine and cam. Forgive my ignorance, but I was not raised with an education in auto mechanics, nor have I had a vehicle requiring the setting of points or timing since the 1980s.