I have an intermittent hesitation in my '69 Cutlass S (350 2bbl) that I believe is being caused by fatigue in the lead ground wire in the distributor (all looks original condition). The factory lead wire is spot-welded to the bottom of the point plate. I can get a replacement lead wire from a parts store but they all appear to have screw down connections on both ends. So, my question - if I replace the wire, how do I connect the point plate end of the new wire to the point plate?
Thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

You could cut the original wire off, leaving a short section attached to the spot weld. Then cut the terminal off the new wire, strip a bit of insulation, and solder the new wire to that remaining piece.

Or disassemble the distributor, remove the points plate, and drill a hole near the spot weld for the new screw-on wire.

 

^^^THIS^^^

Your intermittent open could be near the spot weld. Repairing it the first way might not eliminate the problem. When you screw the new wire to the points plate make sure you use a star washer between the machine screw and the points plate. Also, put Loctite on the machine screw.