points keep on friing
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: virginia beach
points keep on friing
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Feb-02 AT 08:38 PM (EST)]could someone please give me basic instructions on how to set timing on my truck and use the meter thing and set the gap on the point. my points keep on friining within 2 weeks, it is a 360cid with a single point
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
points keep on friing
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Feb-02 AT 10:04 PM (EST)]Hi Chris,
When you installed the points, Did you put some cam lube on the distributor cam?
Without lubrication they wear out REAL QUICK.
I posted a link to a site has describes the timing procedure.
It was before the year split,so it could be in either forum.
Maybe do a search on here for " Timing an engine"
Here's another one I found.
It talks about a boat but, the priciple is the same.
I'll try and find the other one.
http://www.hotboat.net/samplearticle/ENGINETUNINGFORMAXIMUMPERFORMANCE_dir/ENGINETUNINGFORMAXIMUMPERFORMANCE_s.htm
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
When you installed the points, Did you put some cam lube on the distributor cam?
Without lubrication they wear out REAL QUICK.
I posted a link to a site has describes the timing procedure.
It was before the year split,so it could be in either forum.
Maybe do a search on here for " Timing an engine"
Here's another one I found.
It talks about a boat but, the priciple is the same.
I'll try and find the other one.
http://www.hotboat.net/samplearticle/ENGINETUNINGFORMAXIMUMPERFORMANCE_dir/ENGINETUNINGFORMAXIMUMPERFORMANCE_s.htm
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
points keep on friing
Make sure you replace the condensor when you replace the points. Also, make sure the mounting for the condensor is clean, and I believe you might have a small grounding wire that grounds the plate in the center of the dist to the housing of the dist. A faulty condensor will make the points burn too.
To set the points, you need a dwell meter. One lead of the meter will go to the coil connection that goes to the dist. It measures the pulses of the points electrically and gives a dwell reading on the meter. After you get a reading, you have to stop the motor and reset the point gap, and then try it again. Chevies have the little window where you can adjust them while they are running. The meter will have instructions on how to use it.
To set the points, you need a dwell meter. One lead of the meter will go to the coil connection that goes to the dist. It measures the pulses of the points electrically and gives a dwell reading on the meter. After you get a reading, you have to stop the motor and reset the point gap, and then try it again. Chevies have the little window where you can adjust them while they are running. The meter will have instructions on how to use it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 2
points keep on friing
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Feb-02 AT 09:53 PM (EST)]CRJ, if the points are "burning", that is caused by either a bad condenser, not running a ballast resistor, or using a high performance aftermarket coil (with not enough internal resistance).
I would change the condenser first, then check the voltage at the coil positive terminal (should be about 8-9v with key on, engine off).
Good luck.
I would change the condenser first, then check the voltage at the coil positive terminal (should be about 8-9v with key on, engine off).
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: virginia beach
points keep on friing
well there not really burning there is just a lot of wear on the point tips. Ill replace the condensor tommorow and the point. But i dont have a meter so i will try to use a feeler gauge.
Ok, to use a feeler gauge, I...
Take the cap off
then I'll use plyers to tap the engine over so the point tips open
then i'll put hte feeler gauge in there on .18
This should work right?
Ok, to use a feeler gauge, I...
Take the cap off
then I'll use plyers to tap the engine over so the point tips open
then i'll put hte feeler gauge in there on .18
This should work right?
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
points keep on friing
Rather than constantly bumping the engine to get it to the right spot.
I put some pressure on the fan belt and turn the engine by hand turning the fan.
Unless the engine has a clutch fan on it.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
I put some pressure on the fan belt and turn the engine by hand turning the fan.
Unless the engine has a clutch fan on it.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
points keep on friing
This may be wrong but it has worked fine for me in the past.... I just turn the advance plate til the points are up top on a lob the hold it there till I adjust the point gap. Of course I need the extra hand of my "lovely assistant of 23 years" at the adjustment time 
Sparky
Sparky
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
points keep on friing
Do you have a picture available for our viewing pleasure?
Not necessarily of the distributor ,more like the lovely assistant of 23 years.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Not necessarily of the distributor ,more like the lovely assistant of 23 years.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
points keep on friing
>Do you have a picture available for our viewing pleasure?
>
>Not necessarily of the distributor ,more like the lovely
>assistant of 23 years.
LOL If I had a digital pic I would be tempted to post it, but I have to sleep sometime and she knows where the knives are
Sparky
>
>Not necessarily of the distributor ,more like the lovely
>assistant of 23 years.
LOL If I had a digital pic I would be tempted to post it, but I have to sleep sometime and she knows where the knives are
Sparky
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
points keep on friing
All,
The bear is right on. It is more likely that 12VDC is the problem than a bad condenser/capacitor. Even an oversized coil will not effect the point as long as the condenser is large enough to soak up the current.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
The bear is right on. It is more likely that 12VDC is the problem than a bad condenser/capacitor. Even an oversized coil will not effect the point as long as the condenser is large enough to soak up the current.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher