What would the correct dwell angle be for 1988 nissan pickup z20 engine ignition system?

"I am trying to get the dwell angle correct on the

Problem with the 1988 Toyota Pickup"

So, I first assumed that is was a pickup. However by your vehicle description in the body of your question, you have an older vehicle with a different engine type. You might want to update the site title to your question.

The truck I have is 1987 Toyota Pick up with a 22R engine with electronic ignition. So I might not have the specifics for your vehicle but I would suggest that you set your point gaps to the specific gap the manufacturer suggest for your 82. This gap has a lot to do with the timing. On my truck, it is breaker less electronic, but I still have to set the distributer position to 8 degrees BTDC (Before top dead center). I use a timing light connected to the #1 sparkplug wire. I also have to disable the vacuum advance by disconnecting the vacuum line and plugging it so the engine does not run rough while doing my checks. I also have to make sure the distributer mechanical advance is also not interfering with my measurement. I have to keep the RPM less than 750 otherwise the mechanical advance will advance the rotor position by 5 degrees. For my vehicle, the vacuum and mechanical advance together can position the rotor to (8 + 5 + 5 = 18 degrees BTDC).

For your vehicle, I would make sure your advance is working and is in the "relaxed" position and not interfering with your timing measurement. If you have a vacuum line going to your distributer, you might have a vacuum advance as well. You can check this by using the timing light and observe the position of your crankshaft mark as you increase the engine rpm. You should see the crankshaft pulley mark move in relation to your marks on the engine block. If it does not, that might be why your engine is weak. Many times my mechanical and vacuum advance would not work and my engine performance suffered. My distributer electronic ignition sensor sits on a plate attached to ball bearing ring surrounding the shaft. The mechanical advance was activated by spinning weights that would adjust the position of the sensor the faster the distributer shaft spins. When my distributer would get dusty and dirty and the bearings would clog and not roll too well. The vacuum advance also moves this plate, but independent from the mechanical. It too would get stuck and not move the advance as far as needed for engine speed or load.

Since you have your distributer out, make sure it is fully clean and if you have mechanical and vacuum advances, that they are clean, free moving and in working order. I would set your point gap at the high point of the lobes. Also, make you