80 miles on rebuild, engine dies, point block

Paul from Maine

Paul from Maine

Senior Member
Racing the looming thunderheads home past Lake Pennessewasse, my freshly rebuilt motor with eighty miles on it began to sputter and slow down. The muffler backfired as I rolled to a stop alongside Route 117. She roughly idled for a few seconds, refused to react to any movement of the spark and throttle rods and then died. Before I had the hood up, a beautiful 1956 Chevy rolled to a stop on the opposite shoulder. The driver crossed the road and offered to help. While we were looking over the ignition system, a black 2011 Mustang pulled up behind the Model A. The mustang driver immediately diagnosed the problem as points. I had feeler guages in my tool kit and he was right, the points had closed right up. The rebuilder had installed brand new points and the rubbing block must have worn down. Meanwhile another old car nut whom I recognized stopped to offer help if it was needed. I adjusted the points and the motor started right up. Car is now in the barn and didn't get wet. The guys in this hobby are great! I wasn't alone for one minute when the car broke down! I hope I can return the favor someday!
 
Glad to hear it turned out to be such an easy fix. I am surprized to hear how quickly the block wore down though. Was lube applied to the cam?

What are they using for rubbing blocks? ..............sounds like they must be made from compressed recycled styrofoam cups.:mad::(
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Glad to hear it turned out to be such an easy fix. I am surprized to hear how quickly the block wore down though. Was lube applied to the cam?

What are they using for rubbing blocks? ..............sounds like they must be made from compressed recycled styrofoam cups.:mad::(
Click to expand...
Ya, there was lube on the cam. I don't know how much was applied initially.
 
If the points were new, it is customary to set them a little wide at installation to allow the extra gap because, the block will seat rather rapidly. I don't think your rebuilder did this. Once the block is seated and lubed they will work with a normal period between regapping.
 
Milton said:
If the points were new, it is customary to set them a little wide at installation to allow the extra gap because, the block will seat rather rapidly. I don't think your rebuilder did this. Once the block is seated and lubed they will work with a normal period between regapping.
Click to expand...

Unless the dist cam is rusty --then it is grinding the rubbing block very fast ---some of the repros also look chrome plated--if that plating is flaking off that will machine off the rubbing block fast also.

Play in the lower plate can cause the adjustment to be erratic ---good when you check it, then the plate is moved to another position =gap change
 
Like stated, check the condition of the cam.. Also some points are really poorly made.. Replacing with a good quality set may help..
 
Well, Kurt and Patrick, you both raise a good "point". :D

I didn't consider the cam for two reasons, first it was a fresh set of points so any cam deficiencies should have been spotted at that time. Second, I use Pertronix so, I don't care about no stinking cam. ;)
 
EXPECT the rubbing block to lose a couple of tenths inch in its first one hundred miles or so.
Then they glaze and last for thousands of miles.
Lube is good, but it doesn't overcome that initial wear-in.
I have seen it SOOOOOOOOOOOO many times with new points.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top