Points or electronic ignition alternative?

[jamesh]

 A bit of advice please.

I've been trying to change the points on my 1973 Coupe and I've struck a bit of a problem. How hard could changing the points be? Surely just a case of order the right ones, put them in and happy faces all round?

I've ordered a set online and on delivery they seem to be incorrect - they don't look like the ones that are in place and it's impossible to set a gap on them. Back goes the original set although the condenser, rotor arm and cap are all replaced.

A new set is ordered and sadly they are the same as the others. Looking at the original set of points it appears they have been "fettled" to fit. The contacts are worn and the car is now running roughly with poor starting so it's getting pretty urgent that a new pair are fitted.

Going to an old fashioned car spares shop they manage to get a set they say will fit. Getting home, a quick look online and it's a five minute job. A quick turn of the key and the car fails to start. Putting the original set back and still not able to start. Two hours later (!), coffee has gone cold and it's time to call the RAC. Still no luck - could the coil have failed?

A new coil is ordered and following a short break away I fit it with all new HT leads - surely it's going to start now? No. 

So, can anyone give a definitive number for the points required? Or should I go for an electronic alternative?







James

[Jens Munk]

I eventually gave up on the original distributor and bought a new one like this:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121156849541

Works like a charm - set and forget. No points and even more important no engine knock anymore.

[enigmas]

Sept 11, 2022 20:32:53 GMT jamesh said:

 A bit of advice please.

I've been trying to change the points on my 1973 Coupe and I've struck a bit of a problem. How hard could changing the points be? Surely just a case of order the right ones, put them in and happy faces all round?

I've ordered a set online and on delivery they seem to be incorrect - they don't look like the ones that are in place and it's impossible to set a gap on them. Back goes the original set although the condenser, rotor arm and cap are all replaced.

A new set is ordered and sadly they are the same as the others. Looking at the original set of points it appears they have been "fettled" to fit. The contacts are worn and the car is now running roughly with poor starting so it's getting pretty urgent that a new pair are fitted.

Going to an old fashioned car spares shop they manage to get a set they say will fit. Getting home, a quick look online and it's a five minute job. A quick turn of the key and the car fails to start. Putting the original set back and still not able to start. Two hours later (!), coffee has gone cold and it's time to call the RAC. Still no luck - could the coil have failed?

A new coil is ordered and following a short break away I fit it with all new HT leads - surely it's going to start now? No. 

So, can anyone give a definitive number for the points required? Or should I go for an electronic alternative?


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James

You can adapt anything (points or electronic ignition) if you know how the system and the related parts work together James. You can check a points distributor on a bench with a 12v battery (or long set of leads) a coil, one high tension lead and a spark plug. If it won't create a hi-tension spark from the coil you've either assembled it or wired it up incorrectly.

Checks
First does it spark?
Is the distributor timed correctly?
Do you know how to check or correct either issue?

If you don't, ask. Throwing one system out for another won't fix anything if you don't have a good working knowledge of either system or how to correctly time the engine.

[lagain]

When I changed the points on my Morris Minor I got in a muddle and was pleased to find this - which may help.