Burning up points?

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Feb 21, 2010 | 08:22 PM

sting66cp

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 288

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From: Tigard OR

Burning up points?

I'm helping a friend troubleshoot an ignition problem on his 71 small block with stock distributor and ignition.

He will burn up a set of points in about 300 to 500 miles. The cap, rotor, plugs, wires, points and condensor are new.

Does this car are have ballast resistor? Could that be the problem? Any idea's ?

Feb 21, 2010 | 08:48 PM

blue427

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,147

Likes: 151

Corvettes have a resistance wire(white fabric looking wire from distributer to engine harness),probably shortened at one time allowing to much voltage to points.Three easy fixes,one,replace resistance wire with new one,two,get a coil with more resistence(some older coils have3.3 ohms of resistence i.e.61 Rambler.three,replace resistence wire with 14 gauge wire and install electronic ignition,H.E.I. Pertonics,Msd.They run on full voltage.

Feb 21, 2010 | 09:49 PM

Red 71

Pro

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 624

Likes: 1

From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months

It has been a long time since I had a point problem but I recall that if you had a buildup of metal on one side of the points it indicated a problem with the condenser and a buildup on the other side of the points it indicated a problem with the coil. I am sure someone here can elaborate. Not sure if this info will help you but it may.

Feb 21, 2010 | 10:13 PM

lars

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 14,356

Likes: 6,328

From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado

There are only a few things that will cause the points to burn:

Failure to use the resistance wire. The '71 uses a cloth-wrapped resistance wire which serves the same function as the old ballast resistor. If the wire has been bypassed or altered, the points will burn. If this is the case, install a ballast resistor in its place.
Bad condenser. Replace the condenser with NAPA part number RR175
Dwell (point gap) grossly out of spec. Set dwell to 30-31 degrees.

Lars

Feb 22, 2010 | 09:25 AM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

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From: Crossville TN

He might also have replaced the coil with a "hotter" unit [not made to use with a ballast resistor, or made for use with electronic ignition].

Feb 22, 2010 | 10:49 AM

hugie82

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 3,652

Likes: 49

From: Bridgewater nj

I would pick up a points eliminater kit. Screws in very easy, set gap, run 12v ign. to it and forget it. No one will ever know because it all under the cap.

Feb 22, 2010 | 01:42 PM

71coupe454

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 1,224

Likes: 1

From: Clarksville Indiana

I ran my engine on a stand several times with full 12 volts and burned up the points fast! Had turned blue from heat..

Feb 22, 2010 | 09:01 PM