Re: Henry's 55 Constellation

Posted by JWL On 2011/8/9 12:04:20

Man, I have not thought about these dual point set-ups in years. As I recall the Chrysler hemi V-8s used a dual point distributor. Dual point breaker plates were available as an after market item to enhance ignition performance, like what Henry bought. I think Howard is right they were sold with a matched set of points, but I don't know if there was a difference between the primary and secondary point sets. The advantage is to increase dwell so there is more time to charge the coil and get a better spark. One set initiates the coil charge and the other set breaks and makes the spark. The first set of points would last forever (almost) while the second set that makes the spark would burn and oxidize like a conventional single point distributor. However, when servicing these distributors, both sets of points were replaced. These dual point distributors are not like the dual coil, dual point, dual electrode rotor distributors of the prewar Packards. Thanks for the memory.