What am I doing wrong with my points??
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New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3
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From: Portland USA
What am I doing wrong with my points??
So I admit I am not super mechanic and don't always have the tools I should be using, but I was fairly sure I could use a screwdriver correctly.
I have a 73 F250 4x4 with a 360, engine is completely stock. I have been having problems with my points lately. I replaced them about 8 weeks ago and ever since they go out of adjustment almost weekly. I end up spending 30 minutes, usually in the grocery store parking lot
, adjusting them manually, to close won't run to far apart and it shakes you to death, and the thing will run fine for a week or so and then it will slowly start missing to the point that it won't run at all. About 4 weeks ago i replaced the points again thinking I may have gotten a bad set, but it still does the same thing.
I can live with it if I have to, but my kids keep calling me stalled someplace, usually a busy intersection with lots of horns honking.
Any ideas on what I am doing wrong??
I have a 73 F250 4x4 with a 360, engine is completely stock. I have been having problems with my points lately. I replaced them about 8 weeks ago and ever since they go out of adjustment almost weekly. I end up spending 30 minutes, usually in the grocery store parking lot
, adjusting them manually, to close won't run to far apart and it shakes you to death, and the thing will run fine for a week or so and then it will slowly start missing to the point that it won't run at all. About 4 weeks ago i replaced the points again thinking I may have gotten a bad set, but it still does the same thing.I can live with it if I have to, but my kids keep calling me stalled someplace, usually a busy intersection with lots of horns honking.
Any ideas on what I am doing wrong??
Last edited by khopper; Jan 5, 2005 at 06:05 PM.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
khopper,
Man, it's been so long since I adjusted a set of points I don't think I can help you there.
Basics are;
1) Adjust with a dwell meter.
2) Check for stable dwell, if the dwell doesn't come back to the same setting everytime, your distributor is worn out.
I would look into what it takes to convert your FE motor to duraspark ignition.
Good luck,
GJ
Man, it's been so long since I adjusted a set of points I don't think I can help you there.
Basics are;
1) Adjust with a dwell meter.
2) Check for stable dwell, if the dwell doesn't come back to the same setting everytime, your distributor is worn out.
I would look into what it takes to convert your FE motor to duraspark ignition.
Good luck,
GJ
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
From: west central florida
are you sure the points plate is seated all the way down, and, are you tightening both screws.....doesnt make sense that the points are coming loose, or moving. still i would move to duraspark too, i think they had it on the 75 and 76 360, 390 motors, i put it on a 67 mustangs with a 289, somewhat simple install.....what a difference 
http://www.jason.fletcher.net/tech/d.../duraspark.htm
http://www.jason.fletcher.net/tech/d.../duraspark.htm
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Gatlinburg
I remember having the same trouble with the points closing up on a 351w which I had a several moons ago that someone had stuck a points distributor in. If I remember right, at the time, I seemed to think that the metal rotor was rough and galleded which in turn would quickly wear the nylon scrub thing down on the points which would make them start closing up quickly. Mine got till it would do it daily.
I went back to the oringinal electronic setup for less then $100 bucks and never looked back.You can get a whole rebuilt electronic distributor with a lifetime warranty at most parts houses for about $50 to $60.
The brain box (module) is around $20 to $25. It should be plug and play unless someone has hacked up your wiring harness. Hope this helps.
I went back to the oringinal electronic setup for less then $100 bucks and never looked back.You can get a whole rebuilt electronic distributor with a lifetime warranty at most parts houses for about $50 to $60.
The brain box (module) is around $20 to $25. It should be plug and play unless someone has hacked up your wiring harness. Hope this helps.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17
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I Recently Put A Petronix Pnx-1281 Solid State Ingition System In My 428
And It Works Great. You Can Use It With Or Without The Petronix
Pnx-40011 Coil. If You Use The Stock Coil You Still Have To Use The Resistor Wire. Mine Came From Summit Racing But You May Find That Some Local Parts Stores Have It.
And It Works Great. You Can Use It With Or Without The Petronix
Pnx-40011 Coil. If You Use The Stock Coil You Still Have To Use The Resistor Wire. Mine Came From Summit Racing But You May Find That Some Local Parts Stores Have It.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
If the screws aren't stripped, then the two things that come to mind are #1- Did you lube the points rub block. They wear real fast if you don't. You might also make sure there isn't a rough place on the lobes of the shaft. #2- Check the dist. shaft for looseness (wobble), if the bushings are shot the shaft wobbling will give you nothing but grief.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
i just installed a crane cams xr-i points conversion kit with built in rev limiter super simple to do i had the dura spark and it was bad it kept burning up modules the conversion kit cost 74.00 with shipping from summit.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,495
Likes: 2,809
Check the dizzy for broken advance springs etc below the points.
Is the dizzy cam smooth and still a cam or has it gone rough and round?
Points clean on the bottom, screwed down to a clean plate?
Both screws?
Set at .16 worked for me.
Point surfaces clean and square?
Rubbing block in good shape with just a trace of grease on the back side?
Wires secure?
Condensor replaced with points?
Cap and rotor looking fine, no cracks?
Wires looking fine and not arcing to the hood or elsewhere?
ASAP, get rid of the points set up.
Is the dizzy cam smooth and still a cam or has it gone rough and round?
Points clean on the bottom, screwed down to a clean plate?
Both screws?
Set at .16 worked for me.
Point surfaces clean and square?
Rubbing block in good shape with just a trace of grease on the back side?
Wires secure?
Condensor replaced with points?
Cap and rotor looking fine, no cracks?
Wires looking fine and not arcing to the hood or elsewhere?
ASAP, get rid of the points set up.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11
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From: jacksonville, ar
convert it to petronix ignition. i converted mine over in my 67 ranger about 5 years ago and never messed with it again. it was easy. i have swapped out motors 3 times since then and never touched it at all. it works great. you can find it in jc whitney, lmc, or parts stores it usually cost around 60.00 to 90.00 depending
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
I didn't see anyone else mention it, so here goes:
The upper bushing in the dizzy is probably worn out, and if you grab the rotor and push/pull in the direction of the points, I'll bet they open and close
I put new points in my original 360 one day and had the same problem - just couldn't get it right - turned out to be the dizzy - bought a rebuild (the upper bushing is usually NOT done on a rebuild) and it was better but still loose, and the points worked OK after that. Went to a Duraspark w/module, then replaced the module with an MSD - much better...
I suggest a pertronix, or later year Durspark dizzy and module. No points, no pains
The upper bushing in the dizzy is probably worn out, and if you grab the rotor and push/pull in the direction of the points, I'll bet they open and close
I put new points in my original 360 one day and had the same problem - just couldn't get it right - turned out to be the dizzy - bought a rebuild (the upper bushing is usually NOT done on a rebuild) and it was better but still loose, and the points worked OK after that. Went to a Duraspark w/module, then replaced the module with an MSD - much better...
I suggest a pertronix, or later year Durspark dizzy and module. No points, no pains
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix Az, by way of Fre
I ended up buying a rebuilt dizzy to replace my wore out one in order to fix this exact same issue. Got it at NAPA and it came completly assembled (springs/plates etc.). If memory is correct, 40 bux was the damage.
Just this week I yanked yet another set of petronix, and put in a quality set of points/condensor.
That's right, bye bye petronix, hello points.
Truck starts, idles, and runs as good as it ever did with the petronix.
Thing that made me say bye to points was, as points deteriorate(sp?) you know it, and have time to make adjustments, when electronics fail, you are left stranded... and I got tired of that.
When you yank your dizzy, be sure to confirm your oil pump drive shaft did not take a vacation to the bottom of the oil pan.
Good luck.
Just this week I yanked yet another set of petronix, and put in a quality set of points/condensor.
That's right, bye bye petronix, hello points.
Truck starts, idles, and runs as good as it ever did with the petronix.
Thing that made me say bye to points was, as points deteriorate(sp?) you know it, and have time to make adjustments, when electronics fail, you are left stranded... and I got tired of that.
When you yank your dizzy, be sure to confirm your oil pump drive shaft did not take a vacation to the bottom of the oil pan.
Good luck.
Last edited by cleanLX; Jan 7, 2005 at 07:55 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by khopper
So I admit I am not super mechanic and don't always have the tools I should be using, but I was fairly sure I could use a screwdriver correctly.
I have a 73 F250 4x4 with a 360, engine is completely stock. I have been having problems with my points lately. I replaced them about 8 weeks ago and ever since they go out of adjustment almost weekly. I end up spending 30 minutes, usually in the grocery store parking lot , adjusting them manually, to close won't run to far apart and it shakes you to death, and the thing will run fine for a week or so and then it will slowly start missing to the point that it won't run at all. About 4 weeks ago i replaced the points again thinking I may have gotten a bad set, but it still does the same thing.
I can live with it if I have to, but my kids keep calling me stalled someplace, usually a busy intersection with lots of horns honking.
Any ideas on what I am doing wrong??
I have a 73 F250 4x4 with a 360, engine is completely stock. I have been having problems with my points lately. I replaced them about 8 weeks ago and ever since they go out of adjustment almost weekly. I end up spending 30 minutes, usually in the grocery store parking lot
, adjusting them manually, to close won't run to far apart and it shakes you to death, and the thing will run fine for a week or so and then it will slowly start missing to the point that it won't run at all. About 4 weeks ago i replaced the points again thinking I may have gotten a bad set, but it still does the same thing.I can live with it if I have to, but my kids keep calling me stalled someplace, usually a busy intersection with lots of horns honking.
Any ideas on what I am doing wrong??