Re: Who wants to tell me about points?

Posted by BlackBeerd On 2012/8/17 17:50:02

The basics of it is, the coil is a step up transformer. Transformers only work with AC current. A condenser is a capacitor. Capacitors act like batteries except that they discharge all their juice at one time.

When the points are closed, the condenser charges and the coil is at full saturation. When the points open, the condenser releases it's charge backwards through the coil making a one cycle AC current. this is stepped up to high voltage and it jumps the spark plug gap.

The point gap is how the amount of time the points are closed is adjusted to get full charge in the condenser and full saturation of the coil. If you hear the term dwell angle, that is a function of the hight of the points cam lobe and the placement of the points pivot point. If you are at the correct points gap, but the dwell angle is off (you need a dwell meter for this measurement) that mostlikely means that the wear block on the points is worn. So even if the point gap doesnt look burnt, you may need a new set.


That said, three years won't hurt anything so it will mostlikely work at least good enough to get the car started. After it's running, you can test for things that need tuning.