Modern Point and Condenser for Model A

Afordman31

Afordman31

Well-known member
Been thinking of trying the modern point and condenser setup sold by Snyders. They are in the same price range as the original points and condenser after you buy the initial setup. What are the thoughts on these?
 
I agree with Russ. I'm still using original or original style points in my A's. I've never bought new points, I just use whatever came in the swap meet distributors I bought. I also use original coils I find at swap meets.
 
I had nothing but problems with the so called modern points. they are much much harder to set and they will ceace to function for no visable reason. I had a set to quit firing going up the road in my AA it was really a pain because there was no place to pull of the road. The AA is way to heavy to push by hand and they won't move untill towed. I had to have it towed. Some think that the so called modern points are really smart, not me I don't intend to ever use them again.
 
There was a post on dist. cams. I wonder if you took some light rouge to the cam and made it like chrome if this would stop the point gap from closing? I have never tried this but plan on doing so soon.
 
I ordered the short-proof condenser and traditional points for mine, that's all I think I need. No need to go to modern in my opinion, but then again everything on this is stock so I don't see a point in upgrading.
 
I switched because I had a heater and it would fry the condensor within a very short period. The modern set puts it inside and they seem to last longer. That, and I can get a point/condensor set up at most any parts store.

Mike
 
I have both new style and original, I do like the ease of replacing the modern style and you and go to any napa store and get a set, they never gave me any issue, now saying that the original never gave me a problem just a little harder to replace, remember one thing you can put your condenser anywhere you can install it on your firewall if you want to and buy the fake one from synders, it does not have to be on the distributor
 
There is no need for the modern points.

You need a good original cam that has been polished and checked for equal point opening. The repros have some problems. You want them to be smooth to prevent the wear block from being worn rapidly. Do not forget to lubricate the cam.

A good old set of points, does not have to be new, is a good start.

You will expect the points block to wear rapidly at first. The block needs to wear into the cam. The time between adjustments will increase and you should expect many years of use. My brother has the same points that came with the car in 1970 still on his car. He rarely has to adjust them.

When you install the points also be sure the points are hitting squarely. If there is a slight angle that will cause problems over time.

Get a modern burnout proof condenser or two if you feel like you need a spare as they are cheap. They rarely burn out.

Keep in mind changing points yearly was for cars you drive everyday and was also a revenue generating idea. Like changing your oil every 3000 miles. Most do not need it done. Oh and that idea of needing modern points in case they break on the road. When was the last time you heard of points just failing on the road? If they fail, they were failing for a long time and someone did not do their inspections properly.
 
I have the modern points in both my A's, also use modern gas, oil, tires and many other parts that are required to keep them operating.
 
I have both setups in different cars.I tried the modern setup because I was having so much trouble with repro points.I had a couple of sets where the juice would be hot in the point arm,but the contact pad would be cold.No electrical transmission from the arm to the pad.I have also had the pad fall off a couple of times.That makes for some interesting backfires going down the road.I found a few sets of old stock Niehoff,they have been fine for the most part.A couple of those had no contact between the arm and pad,when I looked with a magnifying glass I could see a little green between the pad and arm.Probably started with the welding/bonding process when made.With the modern setup,I found that if you buy the Nurex throw the points away before you install it.Then buy some real points from a real parts store.NOT Auto Zone,Advance,Pep Boys,etc.They pretty much have junk for points.Napa has been a crap shoot for me where I am.You may get a quality set one time,the next time you may get the cheezo Auto-Zone type.If you do want modern,check around with some of the Mustang boys or Ford truck guys.They have a lot of old stock for sale and the parts will last you for years if kept in a dry environment and you don't forget to shut the key off.I have some 40+ year old original type,and modern types that work fine.I also have some new of both types that I shook out of the boxes into the scrap metal barrel.
 
Been thinking of trying the modern point and condenser setup sold by Snyders. They are in the same price range as the original points and condenser after you buy the initial setup. What are the thoughts on these?

Never could under stand why we call 40 year old points modern.
I would stay with the original points, just make sure you buy good points and condenser. They have worked well for me for the last 50 years.
 
Modern V-8 points, any model, 1970 Fords are just easier to adjust. Use the correct upper plate. Includes condenser as well.

skip.
 
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