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Do I need

I have a Dwell meter and 7 old tractors and haven't used the dwell meter in years so I would say no. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it. Have a good Turkey day.
 
I have a couple from the olden days. I use them sometimes to verify my points are set correctly. They aren't necessary. They were handy back when GM cars had points that you could adjust with the engine running.
 
It’s up to you, but it sure is nice for adjusting those points on that old truck. Using a feeler gauge on them is kinda awkward. 30 degree’s dwell.
 

An accurate dwell meter is a GREAT thing to have as it allows you to make an EXACT breaker point gap setting without using a feeler gauge that may contaminate the points with oil or debris.

What have you found that's currently available in the way of dwell meters?

I use an ignition oscilloscope, you can see the ignition wave pattern and read dwell on a graticule overlay on the screen.
 
They are nice to have.

You can probably pick up a used one cheap.

One thing they are good at is observing the dwell at varying RPM to check for a worn distributor.

It can also be used to diagnose intermittent point problems.
 
Dwell meter was nice in the day of GM dist cap with the window that slid up to access the adjustment screw.
Set the points at 30 degrees, set the timing, index mark the base of the dist to the manifold and next time the engine timing did not feel right, see if the dist moved and then just reset the dwell back to 30 degrees. Timing would return to where you set it the first time.
Dwell effects timing. Timing does not effect dwell.
Using an Allen wrench and meter to reset dwell angle is a tad more accurate than a feeler gauge and screwdriver.

Your mileage may vary.
 
Back in the day I always set the dwell and timing on my cars. Everything I own now has electronic ignition, so my dwell meter doesn't get any use. No need for a dwell meter once you install a Pertronix conversion.
 
I have one that I bought in the 60s. Haven't used it in at least 30 years. I still use the Quickset points setting kit my dad had long before I was born.
 
I still have mine , well two of them one hand held and one on my OLD dist machine . The hand held was only used one G M 's and not vary often since i did vary little work on G M stuff. My points tool for G M's must have MOLD growing on it as i can not remember the last time i did a G M . When i did car work i would pull the dist . and set them up on the machine and do the points and do the check on the mech. advance and vac advance and make changes . Loved doing the state patrol cars . Doing them you could make sure that your car was faster .
 
Used them on my 56 and 57 Chevy's, 68 Corvette, and couple of old trucks. Haven't used my Dwell Meter in years but still keep it in my shop for future antique cars. Dwell meters work great for accurate tuning.
 
I guess I have a dwell meter
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