When to replace points

[BILLF/TRF]

I have a new Mallory dual point distributor and it is running fine. I remember when I was young my Dad would periodically have the garage do a "tune-up" which would usually involve replacing plugs, points and condenser. I don't recall how often he did that and if there was a reason for it? In my '36 coupe (59AB engine) I only put on about 1,000 miles per year and wonder if I should just wait till the car runs rough or just replace them every year or two?

 

[Karl Wolf]

I would look at them once in a (long) while... I carry a spare breaker plate with points- mine are not easy to look at- crab style in an A-V8,
Karl

 

[Ken Bull]

For me preventative maintainence is one thing ( oil change Lub etc--a tuneup is reserved to resolve bad symtoms ie hard starting,missing,etc. If it runs nice whats to fix? My Grand Mother use to say--Leave well enough alone#@$%^&*(&^%$#

 

[tiquer]

For me preventative maintainence is one thing ( oil change Lub etc--a tuneup is reserved to resolve bad symtoms ie hard starting,missing,etc. If it runs nice whats to fix? My Grand Mother use to say--Leave well enough alone#@$%^&*(&^%$#

Yep I had a 52 dodge with 73000 miles on it after driving it for about five years figured it was time to replace the spark plugs. Worst thing i ever did , ran like crap with them in ended up putting the old ones back and sold it two years later with old plugs still in and running great LOL .

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Look at them from time to time, and slide in the right feeler. You are only interested in a few things...
1. If feeler (the small end of specified range) won't go in...rubbing block has worn. Worry about this on a recent Mallory! By the way, you set to maximum of range because there is usually a small amount of such wear as the new block polishes in. If wear continues and points close up, they are not good.
2. Open them up a bit by pulling out moving point some, enough to see the contact surfaces. You are looking for burning, pits.
3. Spring tension...used to be something to carefully measure, nowadays no one has that tension gauge anymore! So...give'em a slight pull when new so you have a sense of amount of spring, check that when you inspect. Not usually a problem.
A quick inspection like this will tell you to drive on, adjust, or replace and only takes a minute.

 

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Like the others "if its running good leave it alone" repair it when needed. Going on a long trip take a set of contacts and condensor with you.......

 

[wga]

http://www.pertronix.com/

 

[Kahuna]

X 2 WGA. Pertronix is the way to go

 

[Old Henry]

At 1,000 miles per year you should be good for about 10 years. For the 59A-B engine Ford recommended replacing points, condenser, and spark plugs every 10,000 miles. That's what I do. Here's the rest of the maintenance schedule for 46-48 if anyone's interested (in PDF that you can print).

 

[don-wi]

As tough as the points are to get at alongside the road its probably a good idea to at least take a look once a year.

 

[TobbyT]

At 1,000 miles per year you should be good for about 10 years. For the 59A-B engine Ford recommended replacing points, condenser, and spark plugs every 10,000 miles. That's what I do. Here's the rest of the maintenance schedule for 46-48 if anyone's interested (in PDF that you can print).

Thanks Old Henry for this Maintenance Schedule. This will help me keep very good records and not forget stuff. I tend to over service some areas and neglect others. I like it !!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

But...DO watch new points for a while until you trust the source. Really bad points are readily available both from the resto parts places and from regualr parts stores, and some of these are entirely unreliable...point rubbing block will start wering on day one and continue to disappear til you get to walk home. Once you have found a supplier whose points settle in and keep running, buy that brand and don't worry.
"32-41 distributors are a pain to check up on, once you learn the simple techniques '42-48 ones can be slid right out from behind their caps, inspected, and reinstalled with VERY little trouble, the minor trouble of spinning out 2 bolts nicely compensated by the ease of doing the actual inspections or repairs on the bench. Well, 2 bolts and the little one for the wire. "49-53 sort is practically in your face when you open the hood...