Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works??

Got some points at napa, got them home, removed old ones, put new ones in, no start, no spark at plugs. Put old ones back in, fired right up. Did this couple times. Conclusion is its the wrong part number. Unipoints napa part cs791. I want to go back and exchange it for an AC part, does anyone have the correct number so I can just ask for it by number? Thanks

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

AC Delco D118.

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

thanks. Do you know if originally the points were separate from the condenser? WHat I have in there now is a single unit, points with condenser built in.

---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------

and what condenser would go with that as I havent got one.

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

the instructions made no mention of any gap. There is a dwell that is set to 30 deg with the dwell meter but thats after its running. Ive installed points before and never did anything to the points before starting the car up and it always started. Thats how I installed the old points and no problems. So i still think the points are bad or the wrong kind for my car. It has some kind of bar that comes over from where the wire connects to the condensor. The ones in there now do not have that. I just want to go with stock points and separate condenser if these cars did not come factor with the one piece points and condensor I need reliable numbers so thanks for posting them. Would you happen to know the differences between the three you posted? Thanks

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

The actual points gap is .019 IIRC.

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

.016, .019, whatever it takes. LOL

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

I bought and changed the points and condenser a few weeks ago, and they were close enough out of the box to start the engine easily.

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

we set points between .018-.020 and then set dwell after the car starts.

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

I don't doubt him, i am thankful for the insight. I do still think in this case the points are bad but Im going to try his advice anyway just to prove it to myself and if Im wrong I will be grateful for the lesson, if Im right I will not be smug Ill just accept that my experiences have been different.

I have installed points many many times in my life and never had to do anything to them, just put them in, star the engine and set the dwell. I do remember there were instructions somewhere back in the day that IF YOU DIDNT HAVE A DWELL meter that you could get it close by doing some procedure but I always had a dwell meter so never needed to pay attention to that. Also I remember my first few times as a teen I didnt have a dwell meter and just installed the points started it up and called it good.

Also, in my Buick Manual it does not mention what it mentions in your manual, not in the points instructions either so these are the reasons why I didnt and still dont think the points are good.

1. my experience - never had to do that before always started right up set the dwell with engine running.
2. my manual - doesnt say anything about bumping the points open and manually setting the dwell to get it started or for any other situation
3. the points instructions that came with it did not say anything about them being ungapped and needed gapped before engine starts, you would think they would mention this to avoid returns and restocking headaches. No i dont think its common knowledge either for the above reasons.

having said all that, I will try Larrys advice and if it works I am happy to eat crow and post my results back here in exchange for the lesson and the amusement of the whole.

peace

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

I cant believe people dont set point gap:eek2: Or dwell,geez no wonder half the posts about cars running like crap are on here:error: As far as points go,I had terrible luck with uni's.I don't use anything but Mallory 2 piece anymore.
You guys do gap your plugs....right?uzzled:

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

point gap and dwell are the same thing, its that adustment screw in that little window. and i didnt read any posts in this thread of anyone who doesnt set dwell aka point gap, apparently some people do it before starting the engine and some do it after starting the engine but nobody said they dont do it except when I was a teen as I stated.

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

Sometimes it is grease between the contact surfaces you have to clean on new points. Goran

 

Re: Which points for 1973 lesabre 350 - napa part did not work, put old back in works

But point gap is set before starting,with a feeler gauge.Dwell is fine tuning the gap.Two seperate steps.:Brow:
Not saying you cant just slap the points in & do it your way,but gapping first is how us old school guys learned.p