Best quality points and condenser

Bratton's, Snyders, Mike's, they are ALL reputable suppliers of whatever you might need to get the barnfind up and running.
 
I would try the spark first, and only then replace bad parts as needed. It wouldn't hurt to carry a few spare parts under the seat though.
 
NAPA boxes and sells whatever someone else makes. But they will tell you if it is a brand name, or "import". Just pick a brand name, ask the counter guy for advice if'n he's got some grey hair. He will have sold hundreds over the years to A owners.
 
What is wrong with the points on the car?

Frequently people feel just because the points are old they should be replaced. A total waste. Look at the cam, it should be very smooth and lubricated. The wear block is likely already worn into the cam so it should hold its setting well. The point contacts should be flat and shiny, some low quality points will get a white coating.

Keep in mind at the rate we drive our cars getting 40 years out of a used set of points is quite possible. That assumes you drive regularly to help keep the points clean.

Your best bet with the condenser is the A&L burn out proof unit. The modern V8 points are hit or miss with low bid quality.

While you are looking keep in mind you are supposed to fill up the dist oiler with oil as that is how it gets oil to the upper bushing. This is per the owners manual.
 
someone local told me to go to NAPA; said much better than other sources. Insight?

I bought a set of points and condenser at NAPA about a year ago. I returned to buy another set and the guy told me "We ain't got em." I replied "Sure you do, I just bought a set here last year." He said "Well you got the last of the Mohicans, we never reordered them, look" And he spun the computer display into my field of vision and indicated the part numbers in red.

The end of an era.
 
If you prefer NAPA, they can usually get the standard original style points as quick as they can get the V8 points. The so called modern points really aren't modern. Its been nearly forty years since Ford changed over to electronic ignition. There is very little call for the V8 points and it is very likely that most local parts stores won't have them in stock. This is a good thing because it will save the people that don't know any better a lot of headaches by trying to use a make shift setup. If you get the best name brand V8 points, they will cost WAY more and be a pain in the @$$ to adjust. I had nothing but problems with the V8 points and especially the V8 condensers.
 
When I replace points & the condensor is a "proven" good one, I just re-use it, a new one MIGHT be a crappy one, made in NO TELLING WHERE!! Bill W.
 
Where can I find a A & L burnout proof condensor? What is it? I converted my 1930 "A" to 12 volts and despite three good mechanics working on it, it burns up condensors in about 35 miles. Skip
 
Where can I find a A & L burnout proof condensor? What is it? I converted my 1930 "A" to 12 volts and despite three good mechanics working on it, it burns up condensors in about 35 miles. Skip

Did you change your coil to a 12V coil? A 12v coil is typically 3 ohms and 6v coil is 1.5 ohms. The magnetic field collapses when the points open and you will get a pretty large current spike thru the condenser (whose role is to absorb this spike to reduce arcing across the point contacts). Too low a coil impedance could cause a much larger current spike and burn out the condenser.

-Ed
 
A&L Parts Specialties - Canton, Conn. Ph: (860) 693-2620 (Shop). I think "Bob" has taken over since Al LaPore died a year or two ago. No website that I know of.
I am sure they must have a crummy item or two. I just have never experience it, nor have I ever heard of anyone who had anything but high praise for their products. Their Points and 'Heat Proof' Condenser is what I have been using for the last thirty years (since my original "Green Box" Ford Parts ran out) , and I have been extremely happy.
 
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