A recent post made me think to ask this:

Growing up, replacing points (and condenser) were part of the normal tune up, I recall doing it annually. Now I am running points again, but probably only putting 500 miles or less a year on my 1971 Supreme Conv. Dwell hold steady for what seems like forever at 30 degrees. Seems like a waste of money to swap them out every year or even every other year; but no big deal, since they are relatively cheap.

I seem to recall (40-50 years ago, so bear with me), one guide line was that if you say the dwell drifting, it was time to replace them; outside of a visual inspection of the points.

Any thoughts on this?

 

If you are not putting alot of miles on it and it stays in tune changing the points out that frequently is a waste of money. Given that I would always carry a spare set and condenser with you. Easy to get home if needed.

 

I dont remember ever having to change them because of a problem ?? I drove my 59 Chevy a good 70K miles and dont ever remember having to actually replace them. Maybe adjusted them once ? I certainly would not waste my money replacing them at 500 miles. For a "hobby" car I would say if its running good then don't mess with it.

 

Back when points replacement was part of an annual tune-up, there was likely 10,000 or more miles put on the car during that year since it was a daily driver. So translating that to today, change from "annual" points replacement to 10,000 - 15,000 mile replacement.

 

^^^^^^^^this. You should only have to check your dwell and timing periodically to keep it running well. The same goes for the rest of the ignition system, cap, rotor, plugs, and wires need to be replaced as required not on a time basis.

 

If you have "known-to-be-good" quality parts you've got all you can achieve. By unnecessarily replacing these the most you can expect is what you already have. Then there is the unexpected, a problem with the unnecessary new parts. I'd leave what is working really well alone unless you see a problem.

Distributor cam lube should be used sparingly to prevent rubbing block wear on the point set which changes dwell.

Variation in dwell at idle is more likely worn distributor bushings than points. Variation in ignition timing is a timing chain and/or distributor problem.

Good luck!!!

 

The only time I can remember points prematurely failing was on my Dads 67 Buick 300 ci. It was shortly after a tune up. The mechanic must have forgotten to put grease on the cam follower and it wore down quickly.

 

I'd say that if you notice the dwell drifting away from the 30 degrees, it would be a good indicator that an inspection was "in order". After an inspection you'd be able to tell if replacement was needed.

 

Is Vaseline good to use on the rubbing block on points?

 

Not sure if Vaseline gets juicy when it gets hot and may fling off. I always used a dab of white lithium grease or whatever came in the little red pill w/ the points. I still have the tub of white lithium grease from my dad that he always used for this purpose.

 

I think Vaseline would be a poor choice

 

How do you know, what are the signs, of a bad condenser?

 

Lots of back firing, engine won't start and run, sounds like the distributor is 180* out. You'll figure it out after troubleshooting everything else for 2 days that could cause the problem and come up with nothing, then you change the condenser and wa-lah, the engine runs.