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Points set won't hold adjustment

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Strider380, May 15, 2008.

  1. May 15, 2008
    Strider380

    Strider380 Can I have a zip tie?

    New England
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
    Messages:
    1,117
    Are there any obvious reasons why your point set would keep losing its adjustment? I used to never have to touch the points, it'd probably go a year. then the dwell started going from 32 to 40 every week or two...and tonight its been happening every hour then every few minutes. Lucky I got home. it backfired once when I just turned her off. I'm not sure if there are new problems being introduced or if its the same old one getting worst and worst. I figured I would ask the experienced. its a fairly new points set and condensor. Thanks in advance for any help :)
     
    Strider380, May 15, 2008
    #1
  2. May 16, 2008
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,530
    Check and see if the distributor bushings are worn and allowing the shaft to move around and the threads for the screws holding the points in place are worn. If so the screws could be loosening up slightly allowing the points to move. Also check and see if the breaker plate is worn where it rotates in the distributor.
     
    nickmil, May 16, 2008
    #2
  3. May 16, 2008
    NorCoJeeper

    NorCoJeeper Member

    Ft. Collins CO
    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2006
    Messages:
    470
    X2 on the wear. That's the biggest cause of dwell wandering around. Make sure the rubbing block is lubed. If it's dry the block will wear off and the dwell will just keep changing until you can't adjust it any more.
     
    NorCoJeeper, May 16, 2008
    #3
  4. May 17, 2008
    Brian P

    Brian P Member

    Clarkdale Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2007
    Messages:
    650
    x3 on the wear, If all seems ok in the wear department you may try a different set of points, I got a set once that had a bad rubbing block, They would loose adjustment every few days, Confused me for awhile until it became visually obvious the rubbing block was worn half off.
     
    Brian P, May 17, 2008
    #4
  5. May 17, 2008
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    You might also check to see that the plate the points mount to is tight in the distributor. I once chased that little gremlin around for the better part of coupla weeks until we solved it...
     
    w3srl, May 17, 2008
    #5
  6. May 17, 2008
    jinpdx

    jinpdx Member

    Caldwell, ID
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2008
    Messages:
    121
    Sounds like a good excuse to go electronic.
     
    jinpdx, May 17, 2008
    #6
  7. May 17, 2008
    Strider380

    Strider380 Can I have a zip tie?

    New England
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
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    1,117
    I pride myself on the points. i hear ya tho, i'm sure if i went electronic i would be ranting and raving all about it. is that bushing, that the points arm rides on, easy to replace? looks kinda worn i guess, but even if it isn't that worn i would still like a new one in there :D
     
    Strider380, May 17, 2008
    #7
  8. May 23, 2008
    Mikes360cj5

    Mikes360cj5 New Member

    Cedar Falls, IA
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2005
    Messages:
    26
    This is what we installed.
    Worked very well.

    //http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor2/default.aspx
     
    Mikes360cj5, May 23, 2008
    #8
  9. May 23, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Thirty years ago you could buy distributor bushings from Standard Ignition, but I expect you cannot now. You may have to go with a rebuilt distributor if you can't find the parts.

    You can do electronic ignition with junkyard parts - either HEI from a Chevy 250 I6 (with a V8 distributor gear) or Motorcraft Duraspark from a '78-on 258.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2008
    timgr, May 23, 2008
    #9
  10. May 23, 2008
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
    Joined:
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    5,925
    the points arm rides on the cam lobes which are a part of the main shaft. Not replaceable as far as I know.
     
    Walt Couch, May 23, 2008
    #10
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