C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Installing points- problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 10:43 PM
  #1  
carnut114's Avatar
carnut114
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville Nc
Default Installing points- problem

Hello, I bought a accell (acc-8104) 32oz single point with condenser kit. I installed it like it said and shimed it to .019 with a feeler guage when it is in the open position (flat on the cam). The car will not start with it installed but if i put the old blue streak point back on it starts and runs fine. Is the accell part wrong for this car? Why wouldn't it start with it. If i can get it started i can adjust the dwell with a meter.

Thanks Eric
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 10:45 PM
  #2  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

You need to be on the high point on cam not flat
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 10:49 PM
  #3  
lars's Avatar
lars
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,370
Likes: 6,364
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Default

You need to gap it to .016" on the very highest point of the cam (points wide open to maximum opening) - not the flat. If you gap on the flat, the points will never close, and ignition will never fire. Also, .019" is excessive gap and will not give you enough dwell. Run the gap at .016" and then check it with a dwell meter for 30-31 degrees dwell after start-up.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 10:49 PM
  #4  
carnut114's Avatar
carnut114
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville Nc
Default

I thought it was the flat part since the point was open while on the flat part and closed at the high point.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 10:51 PM
  #5  
carnut114's Avatar
carnut114
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville Nc
Default

I will try that.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 10:54 PM
  #6  
lars's Avatar
lars
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,370
Likes: 6,364
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by carnut114
I thought it was the flat part since the point was open while on the flat part and closed at the high point.
No, it's the other way around. The points are closed on the flat and open on the high corners.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 10:59 PM
  #7  
another-user's Avatar
another-user
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
Default

sorry to get off track abit here, but im looking at upgradeing my points to the accels.

quick question on that, im seeing 23oz, 32oz, and 48oz. whats the diffrence between these? im running a 350/300, what size should i be looking for?
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 11:06 PM
  #8  
lars's Avatar
lars
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,370
Likes: 6,364
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Default

I have a distributor machine that I run and test one heck of a lot of points on. My personal recommendation is to run the NAPA/Echlin CS786 points with the RR175 Condenser. This point set will run up through 7000 rpm without bounce or timing scatter (I've tested them), and they are not so stiff that the rubbing block wears out. I use this set in all the distributors I build and in all the ones I set up on the Tuning for Beer Tours.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 11:07 PM
  #9  
TimAT's Avatar
TimAT
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

One more thing here---- make SURE the feeler gauge is clean. If there is ANY oil on the blade you've just insulated your points. As already pointed out, set them on the very tip of the cam, make sure there is a little bit of lube on the rubbing block, and you're good to go.

Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 11:14 PM
  #10  
another-user's Avatar
another-user
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
Default

thanks for the info.

i know my dad swears by accels, but ill see if i can convince him otherwise.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 11:27 PM
  #11  
carnut114's Avatar
carnut114
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville Nc
Default

IT'S ALIVE. That was it. It actualy fired right up instantly. It always takes about 4 seconds of solid cranking before it starts. I will warm it up tomorrow and dwell meter it. Thanks guys. One more question. I also bought a accell curve kit (weights and springs- acc-31042) It comes with a set of Black,gold,sliver springs. Which would be the best set for it?

Thanks Eric

Last edited by carnut114; Nov 23, 2006 at 11:29 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 06:48 AM
  #12  
AlCherry's Avatar
AlCherry
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Rye TX
Default

I have never had any real good service out of ACCEL ignition components. I had really good service out of Borg Warner points and condinsers. I also cut my own wires using the Bosch 8.5 mm wire kits. My .02 Al
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 10:05 AM
  #13  
Jud Chapin's Avatar
Jud Chapin
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Default

I have always used a feeler guage to just temporarily set points and then adjust them to 30 degrees for the final setting. I've also found that checking them every couple of months and keeping them at the 30 degree mark makes for much longer lasting points, assuming all else is functioning properly.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 02:45 PM
  #14  
savage118's Avatar
savage118
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Ogden Iowa
Default

Originally Posted by lars
I have a distributor machine that I run and test one heck of a lot of points on. My personal recommendation is to run the NAPA/Echlin CS786 points with the RR175 Condenser. This point set will run up through 7000 rpm without bounce or timing scatter (I've tested them), and they are not so stiff that the rubbing block wears out. I use this set in all the distributors I build and in all the ones I set up on the Tuning for Beer Tours.
I used those on my 73, big improvement. For lack of a feeler gauge use a matchbook, the thickness is close. Slide it between, tighten till you just feel drag as you pull it out. Then set timing.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 07:27 PM
  #15  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by carnut114
IT'S ALIVE. That was it. It actualy fired right up instantly. It always takes about 4 seconds of solid cranking before it starts. I will warm it up tomorrow and dwell meter it. Thanks guys. One more question. I also bought a accell curve kit (weights and springs- acc-31042) It comes with a set of Black,gold,sliver springs. Which would be the best set for it?

Thanks Eric
Eric read this -it is at the top of the Tech section.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1430339

If you go to Barrys website there are papers there by Lars.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2006 | 11:15 PM
  #16  
427Hotrod's Avatar
427Hotrod
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,014
Likes: 2,257
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

I had excellent results with the Accel points. I ran the last set over 7 years in my car on the 427 and the 540 and they were always great. they never varied or moved around any. The last time I dyno'd my 540, the shop dist had died, so we had to press my point dist into play at the last second. It made 810HP but the points did start to bounce at 6900-7000. But remember, these were 7 years old at the time!

Good stuff!

JIM
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Installing points- problem





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:39 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE