Re: Points trouble....

Posted by Scott726 On 2008/10/19 18:28:22

Night Owl

I am sure there are WAY better experts here but, if you need a fast answer I can get you in the ball park.

Down and dirty explanation is that the points close to allow the primary windings in the coil energize and develop an electric field in the secondary windings. Then they open which collapses the electric field generating the spark which is then routed to the correct plug via the rotor, distributor cap and wires.

Do this, bump your engine a little bit at a time using the starter until the rubbing block on the movable arm of the points is on top of one of the lobes of the distributor shaft. At this position, the points will be at their widest gap. Generally, they should have a gap about .015-.018" or double the thickness of a business card (if you don't have feeler gauges). That should get you in the ball park enough so that if it doesn't run, you can rule out the points. There should be a screw on the points which you loosen to open or close them by moving the base assembly. Make sure you tighten it up when you're done! After the car is running, you can put a dewll meter on it and fine tune that gap which is called the "Dwell" adjustment.


Hope this helps

Scott