modern points

M

Mel Larsen

Member
OK, so I have been looking at "A" catalogs an found what say is Modern Points. I'm not a purist, If I was I would have to repay all my Social Security and medicare :D,. have any of you converted to these? My next Question: is it a simple conversion?
 
junk
i have fixed these many times before. stay away from them.

stay with the original style points that have the fiber type rubbing block or follower. when the distributor is in good working order and with a good set of original points you are good to go for a long time.

the so called modern point conversion use points that have a plastic follower riveted to the contact arm once that arm warms up the point follower melts and now you have no gap and will be continuously broken down and buying new points for it.

again they are junk
 
Mel Larsen said:
OK, so I have been looking at "A" catalogs an found what say is Modern Points. I'm not a purist, If I was I would have to repay all my Social Security and medicare :D,. have any of you converted to these? My next Question: is it a simple conversion?
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It is not a simple conversion, but it's not highly complex either. You need to change out the top plate to one that will support these new points and the condenser. You may need to lengthen the connecting wire as well. You need to remove the old condenser.

The advantage of using the new style points is that they, and the condenser, are readily available if you need them while travelling. Ford used these same points and condenser on small block (260, 289) V-8s through the 60s and 70s. Most any auto parts store should have them. If this is a concern with "traditional" points, just buy an extra set and keep them in the car. Some folks find the modern style easier to adjust, but that's opinion.

I have a modern point set in my '31 simply because that's what was on the car when I bought it. Old Ugly does point out that the rubbing block can wear quickly if you don't lube the distributor cam, I've found that happens with new sets of "original" points as well. - within 100 miles. There were, and still are, gobs of small block Ford V-8s running around just fine. If you have a good set of points in your car already, regardless of whether they are "original" style or "modern", I'd say make sure they're adjusted properly, lightly lube the cam, and find something else to "improve" your car with.
 
My thought is, the points (original) are pitted and the condenser looks a little discolored, and buying the complete modern setup is only a few bucks more than the old style. And like JaJay said the new modern set of points are readily available. The new complete setup is only $35. I was just trying to see what you all thought about them. I need all the help I can
 
I've been using the modern points for many years with no problems, not sure why but probably because of problems with the original condensers or availability. It's normal for the rubbing block to wear a little at first. Just be sure to buy quality point sets, such as NAPA or Standard Blue Streak. The only problem is that the upper plate that Nu-Rex makes lacks the little slot to adjust the point gap like the Ford distributors have. You can fix this by drilling a little hole and filing or cutting it into a V-shape so a screwdriver will fit in it. You can see it in the attached image.
 

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The points and condensors that Ford supplied with the cars were good quality. Some reproduction points and condensors are not good quality. In the same way, some modern points and condensors are good and some are bad.
 
I've been having troubles with both points and condensers in a constant deterioration of manufacturing deficiencies for years. They are junk compared to what was available back in the 70s and those points weren't as good as what was available in the 50s & 60s. Wear blocks don't last. Breaker arms are not the correct length and points contacts don't properly align. The manufacturers obviously don't give a dam whether the work or not let alone how reliable they are.

I used to have Napa Echlin stuff as a fall back but they are now owned by Standard Motor Parts. SMP was going down hill as early as 2005 so now is a mix match of ECH and SMP with quality deterioration of both.

I'm still using an old set of original style Model A points that align with an A&L blow proof condenser. When they give out, I'll likely get Schneider's new points block that allows the late points to properly align and keep using the A&L condenser as long as they are available.
 
I have been using original points and condensers for 20+ years. I grew tired of having to adjust the points about every 500 miles. So, I decided to build a distributor with new style points and condenser. Wow!! My A has never run so smooth and has a bit more power. I will not go back...
 
"Modern points" is like deafening silence or unbiased opinion or awfully good. The last time points were used in a new car was maybe 1979- 46 years ago- nothing modern about that. Seriously though, they used to be popular because back in 1979 you could drop into your local auto parts store and get those Pinto points still, when original Model A points were hard to come by. But those Pinto points are hard to adjust and you need a modified upper plate to make them line up correctly. Stick with the original style. They work just fine.
 
Modern points for the A are Ford V8 points,57-73.Motorcraft DP12 or equivalent.Original A points are Motorcraft DP104.Pinto points are all by themselves,The problem is the quality of the modern stuff,not the design.I have some original style points with plastic rubbing blocks,and some with fiber.I also have some 57-up Ford V8 points with both plastic and fiber rubbing blocks.I have both types in the boxes,and most kind of look like trash.I did find that Oreillys carries a point set with the fiber block.I just got some for a woodchipper that has a Ford V8 in it.Ask the Mustang boys about the quality of the new points.
 
I've never run original points - I have used the modern style for 20+ years. Never a problem other than having to grind down part of the "heel" point plate that moves when you adjust the gap. It hits the distributor body and stops adjustment.
I believe repro original style points are dodgey because the arm with the cam follower is the wrong length. Stupid!
 
Synchro909 said:
I've never run original points - I have used the modern style for 20+ years. Never a problem other than having to grind down part of the "heel" point plate that moves when you adjust the gap. It hits the distributor body and stops adjustment.
I believe repro original style points are dodgey because the arm with the cam follower is the wrong length. Stupid!
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According to Snyders the repops with the wrong length arm were produced between 2017 and late 2023, so hopefully they have been eliminated from stock by now.
 
I use NOS points and condensers my dad purchased in 1969 when he still had his 66 Ford 289. He worked for years for an automotive jobber.
 
JayJay said:
Ford used these same points and condenser on small block (260, 289) V-8s through the 60s and 70s. Most any auto parts store should have them.
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Actually Ford used the same points set on all V-8 starting with the Y-Block in 1957 until they went electronic so they should be readily available.

I still use the original style with the proper stationary points block that Bratton's had because I have an abundance of them and they last a long time.

I have not seen anyone mention polishing their points cam in the thread, which helps longevity of the rubbing block no matter which kind of points you prefer.
 
Y-Blockhead said:
Actually Ford used the same points set on all V-8 starting with the Y-Block in 1957 until they went electronic so they should be readily available.

I still use the original style with the proper stationary points block that Bratton's had because I have an abundance of them and they last a long time.

I have not seen anyone mention polishing their points cam in the thread, which helps longevity of the rubbing block no matter which kind of points you prefer.
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Do you mean polish the cam?
 
Just a heads up, if anyone is installing a replacement cam, be sure it is as smooth as or smoother than glass. Some of the replacement cams are not as smooth as should be and will wear down the rubbing block fairly quickly.
 
What ever way you decide to go, carry at least one set of replacement points and condensor. If the condensor fails it will burn the points in short order. I carry three sets of the "modern" type and a set of the original type. The original type is for anyone on a tour that breaks down because of failed points and/or condensor.
 
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