Life Span Of Points?

Hey everyone whats the normal life span of points? I just got a set 2 weeks ago and now they died is that normal? Are they a consumable like that.?

 

Should last a lot longer than that. Do you have a ballast resistor in the system? Should be about 9 volts at the points when running.

 

I just last year changed the set in my F-head that was 20+ years old. They were burnt down to nubs, but still working.

 

have run same set of points for years
had a few condenser go bad

 

Not much to fail in a points set. You can buy a points file and grind off any arcing residue. As mentioned, they will use up the contact suface over many years and miles.

I would be more suspicious of the condensor (capacitor). There are opportunities for cheapening and failure in a condensor. Pretty sure there are some articles online about making your own higher quality condensor from electronic parts.

 

Thats what i thought, my dad had a couple cars with points and i dont remember ever having to replace them. I did not know the condenser could be done with out points too.

and no ballast resistor wire goes from run on ign to hot on the coil. Apperently the PO dint have one either.
do all points systems need a ballast resistor.

 

Its just poppin and acting like its not firing right like it did right before i replaced the last set of points n condenser

 

No. Depends on the application. Pretty sure all points ignitions need some added resistance in the coil circuit to limit the current, but some apps put it in the coil.

 

Dist What is this never seen one on a dist before? Reminds me of the trap door you had to put oil in on a old generator we had.
Also the gap had some how slipped larger so im sure that isnt helping.

 

Lubrication port.

Yep - get yourself a dwell meter. Measure electronically.

 

you sir have so much knowledge thanks for sharing it with us young guys who havent spent much time around things like points.

 

exactly what it is . for lubing bearing/bushing . drop or two of motor oil

 

NP! Glad I could help.

 

Interesting i had the right idea then. Thanks.

 

i think i have one in the shop. Helped my dad do that some on a 283 chevy he had. Have to you tube it havent done it since before he passed. I know alittle just not alot like you guys

 

Bad condenser will burn them up fast. Otherwise they can to go tens of thousands of miles. Sometimes they will oxidize if setting around all winter, but not usually.

Use caution... in the days of old, filing was part of normal service, to freshen the contacts and align them. BUT I have read that those were solid tungsten, or platinum, or whatever they used. Modern points, I've heard, have only a thinly plated contact surface. I'm eager verify this if anyone knows for sure.

So I go very easy on them. A "point file" is handy, but I only use it for a light cleaning. Most often I just use a very fine grit wet-n-dry abrasive paper. In either case, grit can remain and cause problems, so finish by swiping with a clean piece of paper or card.


While you are in there, shake the distributor shaft for side play/bearing wear. That can play heck with gap and dwell.

 

can i rebuild or replace it or are they unobtainium? Dont wanna spend stupid money on this one since im workin on a motor swap.

 

It could be re-bushed or replaced with no great expense. But it would have to be very badly worn to need that.

Distributor for Jeep MB CJ2A CJ3A M38A1 CJ3B CJ5 CJ6 134ci L and F head | eBay

 

Well thats cheap enough. It dosent seem to have any play though