Quick Point Gap Setter

Y-Blockhead

Y-Blockhead

Well-known member
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I saw one used while troubleshooting a car at the Old Car Festival. The appeal of it is that you don't have to crank the engine around or loosen the cam to put the rubbing block on the high point of the cam. The cylinder part fits snugly around the cam and the rubbing block sits on the outside of it, which lifts the point arm off the block. The cylinder is of course slightly larger than the cam, so to compensate, the thickness gauge that comes with it is slightly thicker than the actual recommended point gap.

That's why they tell you to always use the gauge that comes with the tool, otherwise if you use a .020 gauge with the tool, then when you take the tool off, the points close back up to the actual diameter of the cam and your gap is too small.

It certainly works well enough to merit keeping in the car as part of your roadside troubleshooting kit.
 
I use mine every time I set the point gap. It works great. I use the gauge that is built into the end of the rubber piece. I must have used over 20 times.
 

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Ditto on using them they work great especially when on the road if you need to clean and reset points.
 
Very handy - no need to wrestle with finding the high point on the cam. Especially when on the road and it's raining.......
 
I looked at one of those for my touring kit. Far simpler to use one of those than the crank handle. No need to turn the engine at all. Pop it on, set the gap, back on the road!

Of course, my touring kit will have the crank handle...and probably the timing wrench and a back up distributor too (depends on how far I plan to drive). Meh. The tool is tiny.
 
I used to carry a backup distributor but found it easier to carry backup points and condensors. Much lighter and takes up much less space. As long as your distributor is in good condition, and why would you go on a tour with one that wasn't, the points and condensor are the only things likely to fail.
 
I have one for quick on-the-road point gap setting. You'd be amazed at how many people I am out touring with that complain of no power and we find the point gap worn closed. A quick adjustment and the engine runs strong again.

I did a test when I first got it. I set the points with the tool, then measured the gap with a feeler gauge and concluded that it sets the points a few thousandths wider than I really want them to be.

So I set the points a touch tight with the tool. The cam follower will wear as it runs and close the gap down to where I like them.
 
Jim/GA said:
I did a test when I first got it. I set the points with the tool, then measured the gap with a feeler gauge and concluded that it sets the points a few thousandths wider than I really want them to be.

So I set the points a touch tight with the tool. The cam follower will wear as it runs and close the gap down to where I like them.
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Thanks Jim. That is what I wanted to know. I will check it on a spare distributor and see how it works.
 
nkaminar said:
I used to carry a backup distributor but found it easier to carry backup points and condensors. Much lighter and takes up much less space. As long as your distributor is in good condition, and why would you go on a tour with one that wasn't, the points and condensor are the only things likely to fail.
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I agree. There is not much of a chance a distributor is going to just fail. I can’t even remember when the last time I have had points or condensor fail either.
 
I had a condensor fail a few months ago. It immediately burned up the points. Replacing both got me going again.
 
Yeah, the jury is still out on the Quick Point Gap Setter. I just checked it on a couple of spare distributors with new parts and it sets the gap at .025". I like to set my gap closer to .020-.022".
 
nkaminar said:
I had a condensor fail a few months ago. It immediately burned up the points. Replacing both got me going again.
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Just to clarify, you are using modern points and condenser?

Oldgearz said:
They want $17.95 for the gizzmo and $18.95 to ship to me.
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Shipping on anything is crazy. I usually wait until I get a lot of items, seems to be better rate than for just one item. Bert's wants $28 for the tool!
 
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Y-Blockhead said:
Yeah, the jury is still out on the Quick Point Gap Setter. I just checked it on a couple of spare distributors with new parts and it sets the gap at .025". I like to set my gap closer to .020-.022".
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I added one to today's order with Snyder's. If I want a different gap than the tool sets, I figure I can replace or modify the little feeler gauge to suit me. If it is only a few thou too big, a little sandpaper ought to take care of that. If the gauge is too small, I have a bunch of old, greasy feeler gauges that I can sort thru to find the right size.

:)
 
No crank or special tool needed. Turn it with the fan or leave it in gear and bump it so the block is on the high point then eyeball the gap. Close enough to get it home and less time standing in the rain.
 
ModelA29 said:
No crank or special tool needed. Turn it with the fan or leave it in gear and bump it so the block is on the high point then eyeball the gap. Close enough to get it home and less time standing in the rain.
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Back when smoking was popular, the ubiquitous matchbook cover was the right thickness for the point gap and the rough side could be used to polish the points.
 
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