I have a 1970 f100 302. Just rebuilt it about 2000 miles ago. Replaced points and points plate. I have had to adjust the points several times. I get the gap set to. 017 and it runs like a scalded dog for about 500 miles or so. Then it starts running rough and sometimes will not start. When I remove the distributor cap I can see that the points have closed up. What am I don't wrong. Any suggestions?

 

Stupid answer, but are you sure your getting them tight enough? It can take a pretty solid twist to hold them.

 

What brand? El-cheapo points do this, because the rubbing block is made with recycled shipping peanuts (norwegian popcorn) and bubble wrap.

Install a set of good ole' Motorcraft or Autolite from back in the day, and you'll likely be OK. There's a fellow on eBay who has a bunch of them for not too much money.

Beware el-cheapo condensers as well.

 

Condensers especially! They've been failing left, right, up, and down lately...

 

You are lubricating the cam, right?
Drop a Pertronix set-up in there and never look back.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-1281/overview/

 

x2 on the Petronics kit. You may also have a rotor shaft that somehow got rusted and is pitted, if so that is also a possibility for the problem.

 

3x on pertronix. I did it in mine and it ran 5x better.

 

...and check the dist. shaft bushings for play.
Loose shaft = variable point gap.

 

Eh, I have run Pertronix for 20 years, but the question IS about points.

 

I was having the same issue. Truck would drive fine when parked. Started the next morning and would run really rough. Each time I checked the points gap and they were just about closed. Truck kept doing this until I changed the points for another set I kept with me. No problems since. I don't know what caused the old points to keep closing in the first place.

 

WITH THE LACK OF QUALITY OF AFTER MARKET PARTS YOU NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS. CHEAP IS NOT THE WAY TO GO FOR LONGEVITY.

 

Thanks for all the great advice. I got these from a bus mechanic friend who had a stock from when the school busses ran points. Not sure what brand they are. I am going to change to pertronix, but on a tight budget right now. Guess I'll just keep the feeler gauges in my pocket till I can do better! Thanks again!

 

And don't forget to lube the dizzy cam. This the most common problem some guys clean everything & forget the lube . Not engine oil use a high drip point type lube only.
orich

 

check your screw lengths that hold points and condenser in . a long screw in the wrong location will make contact with the advance plate .

 

Hey dude, x5 no the Pertronix. I went to Pertronix cuz of this exact same problem and I just got tired of it. Haven't had to do a damn thing since.