"PS. I've NEVER walked because my points let me down but over the years, I've walked quite a few times when a car with electronically controlled ignition would not run and couldn't be properly diagnosed in the driveway or alongside the road. And so have many others."

Hi Mike,
I agree you should run whatever is "right" for you and your car. It's nice to have options though. In 40 years I have had my car quit a number of times: Twice on the grid and once in Washington's Crossing state park at midnight (don't ask) due to broken FI drive cable. I was able to continue because I had a spare in my glove compartment. SO, the key, as you mention, is having the knowledge and experience to troubleshoot and repair your problem. That said, if electronic ignitions were less reliable than points, then NEW cars would come with points

 

Walking is quite healthy...I don't think that was me with the flatbed issue...
My car was only towed once in 2007 when an oil canister gasket blew...

I spent a very uncomfortable couple of hours in front of a bowling alley in a bad neighborhood one night when a buddy's Volkswagen beetle died because one side of his points cracked in half.

Admittedly never saw that before or since.

 

me too, also....



Bill

i got to the point where i used to carry a spare distributor, now i just carry a spare circuit board.

 

Well my Pertronix got me home with this condition going on !!!!!!! Not sure points would have done the same.

 

Pertronix or points wouldn't make any difference whether you got home or not in that case. I'd say it might be time to take a look around for another "knowledgeable techie" to work on your car for you. He's probably so far advanced from me that he doesn't know how to screw down a rotor.

 

No judging points for you- one year!

 

I don't see anything wrong with the ignitions that come on new cars today. You can buy parts for them anywhere and they are reliable enough, they seldom need attention.

My comments were directed at these aftermarket gizmos that you have to buy mail order. Assuming you do have a problem with them when you're on the road, hitchhike into your nearest Auto Zone and after the clerk fires up his keyboard and asks you all the dumb questions about 4,6 or 8 cylinder, then tell him what you really need is a Pertronix something or other. Never mind his "deer in the headlight" or "cow having a calf" look!

When I leave home in one of my old cars, I don't take tools, I don't take spare parts and I don't live in the middle of a large metropolitan area. I live in the country and if you break down, you'll either fix it on the spot or call for help.


All I said was, standard points limits my rpm to a safe level for about $15/set. Pertronix is how much? $100-$150? One set of points will last me 10-12 years. I think the set of points in one car has been in there 4-5 years and I've never touched them. Another car, I put the points in in 1973 and I adjusted the dwell on them last year. I have another old car around here I bought in 1980 and I don't recall ever touching the points.

Therefore, when I read some of these posts about "help, my car won't run", "how do I convert to Pertronix and get rid of these PIA points", "emergency tool/parts kits" and other such stuff, I just find it somewhat amusing to read those posts.

PS. I have several sets of Echlin and Delco heavy duty points laying in the cabinet that will let my engines run to 7000 rpm without misfire. These are the heavy duty Z-28 points. They're staying in the cabinet as the cost to run my engine to 6000 has been nothing. The cost to continually run it around 7000 could be considerable. I passed through that 7000 rpm stage in my life about 50 years ago.

 

Let's see. Would Weenie lose points for originality or condition or both?

 

Go back and look at post #2. Your point rubbing just about has to be wearing down or your points came loose if the dwell suddenly changed but otherwise was stable when you set them.

On second thought, a loose/worn breaker plate can also cause that. I never had it happen to me but used to hear of it.

 

It would nice to have the brand and part numbers.

anyone?

 

Points & Condensers:

Delco D103P & D203 condenser
NAPA CS777A & RR174 condenser
Niehoff DR3HV & DR22 condenser
BWD A72 & G102A condenser
Standard DR-2236P & DR-60 condenser

 

I would think us calling him 'super weenie' would be enough punishment, but I'm beginning to think he enjoys it.

 

Congrats Mike - you finally made it to my "Ignore List".

 

That's the best place for him to be. Have had him there for a couple of months now and am amazed at how much more enjoyable it makes the Forum. Decided I liked it so much I even signed up as a paying member, so now I can say I put my money where my mouth (keyboard?) is!

 

Jeez i almost forgot to be looking at these posts for answers in the midst of all this entertainment!

Points were not loose - either time. I'll check the bearing point. Not sure how to check for worn/ loose breaker plate, but if everything else checks out and problem still not solved i'll ask you about that.

 

I should care or are you just spouting off for everyone else's benefit and you believe this will heighten your otherwise short stature and/or maybe short other things?

 

Got another one here with short appendages!

 

"You''ll need a new flux capacitor, and we have to find a new source for dilithium Crystals!!!!!!!!'

 

Look at the point contacts and see if they're burnt or there is a tit hanging off one or the other. That could change dwell also.

 

Mike
be 'nicer'... (and Frank is taller than he looks...)