Jacksonlll
Well-known member
Don't trust the new points. Some can short out on the cam. The moving arm side structure can sometimes touch the cam before the points close.
won't start problems
- Thread starter DaveBPT
- Start date
ok. It still won't start. I have tried 3 sets of points, 3 condensers, reset points and timing between each change. I can get hot point statically but nothing with the engine cranking. The lower plate is hot without upper plate in place. Last attempt produced hot points with the ignition ON with points closed or open. Checked for power in steps leading to upper plate install. As soon as distributor cam installed points hot all the time. It appears there is a short in the distributor. Lower plate?
SDJason
Senior Member
This reminds me quite a bit of when I had a similar problem almost five years ago.
It turned out to be that the moveable points block wasn't tightened down, and that was enough to cause an issue.
Around the same time, I also had nearly the same symptoms, and it turned out to be that the tab on the underside of the lower plate would sometimes touch the distributor body, causing a short - some judicious bending of it fixed that problem.
Screwing in the armored cable too far also sometimes causes a similar issue.
It turned out to be that the moveable points block wasn't tightened down, and that was enough to cause an issue.
Around the same time, I also had nearly the same symptoms, and it turned out to be that the tab on the underside of the lower plate would sometimes touch the distributor body, causing a short - some judicious bending of it fixed that problem.
Screwing in the armored cable too far also sometimes causes a similar issue.
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Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Exactly, I've seen it before. There was enough rust on the head and cast iron distributor body to keep it from getting a good ground. A quick jumper wire, as Katy said, will give a good ground.
Check continuity with the points closed. New points often have a film on them to prevent corrosion in the box. With the points closed, you should see no resistance at all. If you do, that's the problem. Or just skip the troubleshooting and dress the points with brown paper or card stock. Not a file or sand paper!
