today went to start my truck up and all I got was crank . I had fuel but the first wire would not arc so Im assuming it is an ignition related problem. In my truck i found a NOS shiny cylinder called a condenser it goes under the cap so i replaced it. Also there was a "point set" but it did not have the provisions to hold the steel wool that the old one had so I did not replace it. Could this be the culprit or possibly my external coil??? I need help this points ignition stuff was way before my time and i have no clue how it works. stock 223

 

ahh someone must know This is project save My truck (parents are always looking for reasons to get rid of her dad says if my beater aint running then its junk worthy of hauling away) How can I troubleshoot this points problem??

 

Replace them. Go to your auto store and get the points and condensor. Install.

 

Get a book on basic auto mechanics that contains a section on ignition. Be sure it is old enough to teach point and condenser installation. If your going to drive an old truck, you need to know how to work on the "old" systems. One check to make is the wires at the coil. If those wires are not making contact, no spark.

 

Project save your truck. Do what himmelberg and 46 said and buy some new points.
How it works, Points is just a switch it needs to be rite to work and they are very tempermental. Some one correct me if this is wrong this how I understand this. 12 volts to the resister then from the resister to the + side of the coil from the coil - side to the points in the dissy (the points ride on a cam witch open and close them) when the points are closed it grounds the coil it saturates the coil with a magnetic field points open the field collapeses and shoots a spark out of the coil wire. I think you can take it from hear.
When you adjust them you are adjusting the amount of time they are closed called dwell. when you install the new points turn the engine so that hi side of the cam in the dissy is holding the points open about the thickness of a match book. It should start if not go a little wider or a little thinner about .015 or .016 inches thick. If you have a dwell meader hook it up and adjust the points between 28 to 32. Mine aways ran better at the low end. Hopes this helps

 

Do I need a new point set that can hold the piece off wool like my old one.... everyone I've seen is flat and has no provision to hold the wool ... advance only carries ignition related parts for 58's will these work on my truck?

 

Don't worry about the wool it is their to keep the cam oiled it is not needed.