How to Install Adjust and Set Breaker Points in an Automobile Episode 267 Autorestomod

How to Install Adjust and Set Breaker Points in an Automobile Episode 267 Autorestomod
How to Adjust install and set breaker points in an automobile equipped with a points style ignition system.

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Parts:
Mounting Kit Points And Condenser (3) 12171-1K
Cap Distributor Motorcraft 12106-2
Point Set Distributor replacement 12171-1A
Rotor Distributor Replacement 12200-1A
Wire, Distributor Primary 12216-1A
Condenser, Distributor 12300-1
Spark Plug Wire Set, Concours 12259-1B

[normandong]

Still, looking at this video, it brings back so many memories of tuning and repairing a car. In those days, car owners took pride in their car and could do their own tuneups. There are many classic cars and trucks sitting in garages, farms and collections, and a step-by-step video series of using a dwell meter for tuneups, fixing brakes, lubricating the zerk fittings on a suspension system, etc would be so helpful. While we use electronic ignitions today, there are many millions of classic cars and trucks still in use.

[JKWilson]

Ahh the days of points and a condensor. One of the many joys that younger folks will never appreciate with electronic systems is in charging up a condensor and throwing it across the garage for your buddy to catch! Hehehe

Of course, I'm SURE you never did that to anyone, have you Jeff?! BTW, I still have my Craftsman tach/dwell meter from the 70's (and of course the companion Craftsman timing light!).

[Flammable]

Ahhh the old school points plugs and condenser tune up. I remember going to K-mart and to buy the tune up kit for like 5 bucks for my 1970 Plymouth duster. Used to have a dwell meter and timing light. Wish I still had them.

[vwbus]

Thanks for this video. Brought me back to my childhood when Dad would show me all of these things. It's been a few years so I was rusty but watching this video brought it all back. Points installed and truck is back to normal!

[martystevens]

On an engine with a worn timing chain, get #1 at TDC on comp. stroke on 0. Lift up the distributor and point the rotor at #1 terminal on the cap. Turn the distributor way back opposite normal rotation. Install the distributor with rotor at #1 on the cap and then set it for normal setting. Now set the timing. You are compensating for timing chain slack.

[thomaskennen]

Who knew Newt Gingrich had a son? Thanks for the video.

[larryb]

Great video. Essentially I could not have gotten my friends 65 mustang started without this video!

[rocketsurgery]

About 7 years ago I was looking for a more reliable ignition system for my '68 Mustang. I decided to go with a Pertronix 2 set up but wanted a better distributor. On the internet I found a remanufactured distributor at a local parts dealer for $17. When I went in to pick the distributor up the manager was pissed that it was only $17. They're now $50, still a bargin but I should have bought a few dozen at that price.

[gandl]

Absolutely amazing that you can go through and show the sign of points and the initial gap set of the points but not actually connect that dwell meter to that vehicle that we were working on and verify the dwell and then adjust it to get the dwell right? Pretty cool video but you wasted my time cuz I wanted to know how to set up the dwell meter. Read the dwell and adjust the dwell. You know that real cool part with the distributor cap off where you spin it around and read the dwell initially to get it close. Thanks but I guess I'm just going to go out and hook it up myself from a 50-year-old memory.

[matthewcanipe]

Hey dudes Maverick here.... my last restomod was a 1961 Land Rover on a 2000 Chevy Tahoe four-wheel drive platform... I went to the transmission and everything set it up with a LT1 style 350 and atomic fuel injection and transmission control... wizard adjustable rear lift the coilovers two additional batteries in the back for the stereo headers custom running boards coil over suspensions with adjustable lift.. were they heavy-duty Offroad cam we were pushing about 500 horses and about the same foot pounds of torque with a BorgWarner transfer case and 373 gears by dynatrack... we added skid plates a super transmission cooler with its own fan and controls and bnm gauges... we had super cold AC and replace all the seats with glamorous convertible leather.... we had a onboard air compressor and power converter and even tied all the lugs with stainless steel tie-backs... I'm working on a 51 Chevy right now or just into points and that's how I ran into you looking for some chips on those old points.... I give you A+ with the video yaller real...lol I look forward to seeing some more of your good work.... until then keep it up and God bless....

[bad]

Thank you this video help me get my 67 mustang project running again. Last time it ran was in 1980.

[philliphall]

I love the old system and it’s still working great

[scatpack]

one important step that should always be included after changing/adjusting points is checking the timing. If the timing was set with a worn rubbing block, once a new set of points gets installed with the larger gap the timing will most likely be too far advanced.

[kentcrawford]

Thanks for the tips... working on a 60 Ford F100 with an inline 6

[pistolpete]

You know this the first video if seen that I just enjoyed watching. Probably not going to work on it my car has and HEI distributor. But it was enjoyable.

[jessstuart]

The condenser (capacitor) is in parallel with the points, and does several things.

1. The coil will try to generate a very high voltage across the points to maintain the coil (low-side) current the instant the points begin to open. The high voltages generated by the coil's low side can burn the point contacts while they are opening (Power = Voltage*Current). The discharged condenser (capacitor) provides a path for the coil's current while keeping the voltage across the switch low while the electrical contact is being broken. A capacitor used in this way is called a "snubber".

2. The ignition coil stores energy in its magnetic core. The condenser keeps the voltage across the opening point contacts low, so less power is lost in the tiny arc across the points while they are opening. Less power loss across the points, means more power (energy) is delivered to the spark plug, where you want it.

3. The condenser provides a return path for the spark current from ground, to the low side of the coil (current must always flow in closed loops).

[et]

A tip I recall from back then. The rotors for FoMoCo and Mopar distributors would physically swap, but are 180 degrees off.

[jeff]

In the old days when you bought a good brand of breaker points it would come with a small tube of breaker cam grease to put on the cam lobes. if you don't have point grease dielectric grease will work. Also when I replace breaker points a priceless tool is a spring loaded screw driver to hold the screw as you install it. GM vehicles had a door on the distributor cap so you can adjust the dwell with the vehicle running. On Fords you had to remove the cap and use a remote starter to adjust the points by dwell.

[Sprucegrove]

Excellent video and thanks for posting, side note just yesterday I was adjusting the points on my boat on the water I left the rotor out hmmmm it didn't start. Thanks again

[KayakTN]

I found an old dwell meter like that. Paid $25 for it... works like a charm.