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The air gap between the the tooth on the distributor shaft and the pick up coil should be .006. Be sure to use a brass feeler gage when setting the gap. Align blades good,And adjust to .008th.
The air gap is the distance between the module (armature) and the magnets of the flywheel. Generally 0.010" or so
Air gap between coil module and flywheel should be .010 inches.
I just installed a new pick up in my 78, the gap should be set at .008, that is 8 thousands of one inch. You MUST use a non metallic feeler gage, This means brass or copper. If you use a steal gage you will burn out the new pick up, because the pick up is magnetised. Make sure the pick up an the lobes on you distributor are parallel insert you non metallic feeler gage and move the pick up until you get your desired gap. To get the lobes on the distributor parallel you simply turn your fan clockwise while you apply pressure on the alternator belt. NOTE it is much easier to achieve this, if the distributor is out of the vehicle. The .008th gap is for a 318 engine. Good luck!
I fixed the problem it was the air gap.
1982 318 pick up coil gap
You can set the gap on the ignition module if the flywheel's magnets are not close. The gap should be at least 0.010 to 0.012 from the flywheel.
.016 as a reference
Spark Plug (ACDelco R45TS) [Gap @ .035” for points distributor, .045” for HEI distributor]
A 79 shouldn't have points to gap. It should be an HEI distributor.
I remove the distributor and rotate until the points are at the widest opening. Then using a .017mm fueler Gage I set the point gap. Reinstall the distributor, set timing and roll!
auk air gap