steps to replace points?

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Nov 22, 2005 | 08:08 PM

fordguy76

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 1,191

Likes: 4

From: West Union, OH USA

steps to replace points?

could someone tell me how to change points, road trip tomorrow and need a refresher before I take off.
I've only done it once a long time ago, hope to get the crane electronic ignition soon so I won't have to worry about breaking down.
Thanks

Nov 23, 2005 | 08:16 AM

jor

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,008

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From: Tucson

I was hoping I had a couple of photos of the points in the distributor but couldn't find any. Essentially, you remove the old ones, wipe just a little bit of cam lube on the distributor cam (octagonal shaft) and put the others in. Then you either turn your engine by hand or bump it with the starter to the point at which the little plastic tab that rests on the cam is sitting on the high point of one of the cam's ridges. You then adjust the points gap to about 17 thousandths and you're good to go. This is easier to do than explaining how to do it! Good luck.
jor

Nov 23, 2005 | 08:28 AM

davetik

Freshman User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 34

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fordguy76, I too had wrestled with points. After doing everything perfectly correct, the truck drove good for about 30 miles before it started spitting and sputtering and backfiring again. So I did it, I put my drop in electronic ignition for $80 bucks and I could not believe the difference. Smooth sailing, you have to make the change its that simple. Best $80 I have spent on her.

Nov 23, 2005 | 01:33 PM

ken's1971

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 73

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From: springfield,or

Points rule i love them so simple, but i carry a spare set around with me. but basically take it out like you found them and don't let anything get loose or ground were they should'nt. But it is good to know how they work but basically its just a mechanical breaker, the high point opens the points and that fires the coil, the condenser stores the electricty for a short period of time when the points open to prevent the points from burning up. The wire coming out of the distributor going to the negative side of the coil and that provides a circuit for the coil windings.

Nov 23, 2005 | 02:15 PM

Faltura

New User

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 18

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From: Gadsden, TN

You may want to check the condenser. Sometimes the solder will become loose at the mounting bracket and the condenser will bounce around, breaking the ground causing backfiring or stalling. This drove me crazy for several days before someone pointed it out to me.

Nov 23, 2005 | 02:38 PM

312

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,013

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if points are installed right they can last for 20,ooo miles.

Nov 23, 2005 | 06:59 PM

baitmaster

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 1,622

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From: nevada

My Pertronix kit was installed right, and it has been in for 9 yrs, and 50,000 miles. My point setup use to last about a yr, and then would need replacing. I tried every kind of points there is, and a didnt matter. Seems like I had to carry a feeler gauge in my shirt pocket every day. I suppose one of these days I should replace the cap or rotor or something.

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Nov 24, 2005 | 02:00 AM

Ahroun

New User

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 4

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optical kit at retail location

Kragen sells an Accel elctric conversion for 80$ uses a shutter wheel and optical pickup. Closest comparison would be the mallory Hi-Fire. Gettin me one for Christmas woohoo! Then to talk the wife into the MSD 6A box.......

Allthough Petronix is nice, correct me if Im wrong, isin't it still a mechanical switch? It's the one with the button that rides teh dizzy cam? If I'm going electric, might as well go completely electric.

You can also save your points by getting just the MSD 6A box. The Box supplies the voltage for the coil, and the points become just a generator of signal using MUCH less voltage.

Either set up allows you to run a true 12V fed, internally resisted, coil allowing for much stronger spark. The MSD generates multiple spark per signal generating a better burn wich eguals more power for the same fuel.

The MSD 6AL has a chip settable rev limiter. Nice if you let folks borrow yer baby and they try to abuse her.

Nov 24, 2005 | 05:31 AM

#10

"Beemer Nut"

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,658

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From: "Islander"

Also check out Cranes optical trigger system, XR700 that needs the resistor wire or the hotter XR3000 without resistor wire (12 volts). I'm over 800K trouble free miles on a Allison which became Crames XR700.

.....=o&o>.....