Standard vs modern points & condenser
- Thread starter ODFever
- Start date
Patrick L.
Well-known member
The 'advantages' of the 'modern' upper plate was to be able to use modern available Ford points and condenser. The condenser being on the upper plate also keeps it away from the exhaust manifold heat. A disadvantage is that some feel the points are harder to adjust.
Some of the earlier modern upper plates had problems. Those within the past 10 years or so are OK and I'm one that doesn't have any issues with them.
The quality of new points and condensers is not very good, its tough to find good ones. I've found about the best are from NAPA and are expensive.
But, now, original type points and 'burn-proof' condensers are readily available from the vendors. Most folks will recommend the original type.
Some of the earlier modern upper plates had problems. Those within the past 10 years or so are OK and I'm one that doesn't have any issues with them.
The quality of new points and condensers is not very good, its tough to find good ones. I've found about the best are from NAPA and are expensive.
But, now, original type points and 'burn-proof' condensers are readily available from the vendors. Most folks will recommend the original type.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Original works fine for me. Everything fits right and looks right. I'm still using old swap meet parts and they fire the plugs fine. I do carry a spare burn out proof condenser, but have never had a condenser go bad on my own cars in all the years I've been driving.
Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
The most common argument for the modern points is that they are available at parts stores. So if you are on the road and you need a set of points you can buy some.
It is rare for points to go bad unless you have a cheap set and even less rare that you can not get home with a poor set of points. Plus you should expect a quality set of used points that came with the car to last for a long time. The points that came with by brothers coupe are still on the car today. He has owned the car since 1970.
Moving the condenser into the housing to get it away from the heat is the other reason.
Today this is wrong and bad for 2 reasons.
First off, the new V8 condensors are not all very good quality. In reading the Mustang boards guys have been having troubles with the new condesors. Seems they are being bought from low bid Asian contracts.
The burn out proof units A&L makes will likely be the only one you ever need.
The original points are great. The stationary contact can be adjusted for for parallel contact. You just loosen the screws under the plate to adjust the point properly. Adjusting the gap is easy as can be.
The V8 points are not as precise to adjust without the right tool.
Quite frankly the only advantage to the using the new style points is the venders get to make more money off of you. Also, it seems Les Andrews likes to push them for some reason.
While on the subject. It is essential that you have a good cam, no pitting allowed. You want a super smooth surface and the proper lube on it. Bill Stipe makes a good cam. You also need to make sure the plate fits tight to the center on the distributer housing as that is what prevents the gap from changing as you rotate the plate. I am also assuming that the bushings are tight.
Remember to oil the dist properly. The Ford owners manual says to fill up the oiler. This fills up the space between the bushings and allows oil to get into the upper bushing.
It is rare for points to go bad unless you have a cheap set and even less rare that you can not get home with a poor set of points. Plus you should expect a quality set of used points that came with the car to last for a long time. The points that came with by brothers coupe are still on the car today. He has owned the car since 1970.
Moving the condenser into the housing to get it away from the heat is the other reason.
Today this is wrong and bad for 2 reasons.
First off, the new V8 condensors are not all very good quality. In reading the Mustang boards guys have been having troubles with the new condesors. Seems they are being bought from low bid Asian contracts.
The burn out proof units A&L makes will likely be the only one you ever need.
The original points are great. The stationary contact can be adjusted for for parallel contact. You just loosen the screws under the plate to adjust the point properly. Adjusting the gap is easy as can be.
The V8 points are not as precise to adjust without the right tool.
Quite frankly the only advantage to the using the new style points is the venders get to make more money off of you. Also, it seems Les Andrews likes to push them for some reason.
While on the subject. It is essential that you have a good cam, no pitting allowed. You want a super smooth surface and the proper lube on it. Bill Stipe makes a good cam. You also need to make sure the plate fits tight to the center on the distributer housing as that is what prevents the gap from changing as you rotate the plate. I am also assuming that the bushings are tight.
Remember to oil the dist properly. The Ford owners manual says to fill up the oiler. This fills up the space between the bushings and allows oil to get into the upper bushing.