How do you change the points/condensor? I grew up on Fords...and this is completely different, last time i paid $50 to have it done..Dontfeel like doing that again. haha pictures would help
Very simple, you remove the distributor cap and rotor. You can either get the points and condenser separately or buy what is called a uniset(Points and condenser mounted on a single plate). Two set screws hold the points to the breaker plate. You only need to remove one screw and loosen the other, then pivot the points away from the breaker plate. Now loosen the screw on the points assembly and remove the distributor wire and the wire from the condenser(not necessary with uniset). The condenser mounts to the breaker plate with a sleeve and single screw(except uniset). Put in the new parts, replace the cap and rotor. The motor should start and run. Then you need a dwell meter. Hook the meter up (Black to ground, Green to - side of the coil) and read the dwell on the 8 cylinder scale. Should be 30 degrees + or - 1 degree. To adjust, open the window on the distributor cap, insert the appropriate size allen key and turn until you get the right dwell reading. Hope that helps.
Tips: Use a magnetic screw driver to remove the screws. I dropped a screw under the breaker plate once; very ugly. Also if you don't have a dwell meter you can set the point gap/dwell by putting the points rubbing block on a high point of the cam (you may have to bump the engine over a little using the starter to accomplish this). Then measure the point gap using a feeler guage. Adjust gap to specs with an allen wrench.
Here is the amazing part...I went to have a tune up on my Buick (too cold to do it outside) and I wanted my mechanic to put new points in. He goes, ok how do I set them?!?:eek2: . Not too many mechanics have a dwell meter anymore...as luck would have it I still have my dads old dwell meter. My question here is that if my old dwell meter craps out on me, where would I be able to get a new one??o No: . I guess I just have to treat mine gingerly :laugh: . Larry :TU:
Dwell meters NAPA has them listed in their tool books. And I think you can still order one through Sears.
Worked in car dealerships for a lot of years and one of them was a Hyundai franchise. Here in Canada we sold The "Pony" and "Stellar" models from 1984 to 1987 and believe it or not they had a point type distributer. One summer about 1987 one of our technicians was off for a while and we "borrowed" a young technician from our GM dealership to help out. This guy had about 5 years experience at the time and when given a car to do a tune-up on had never even seen a car with points before! I guess I must be getting old. One trick I remember from my younger days was that the cover from a pack of paper matches could be used in an emergency to get a reasonably accurate point setting. Anybody else out there tried it?
Alot of your better automotive DVOM's have duty cycle and dwell on them as well as temp probes and the like...... not the $29 ones though ...:grin: I have an old analog dwell meter that was my Dad's, but I always used my DiLog meter instead..... much more accurate!
the matchbook trick works to an extent. You have to make sure the #1 is at TDC (I think)...it's tricky, but I usually just use the dwell meter. I had a really hard time getting the dwell right on my car this time...it took me a few test drives to get it right...lots of studdering down the road at WOT. Not cool. Adam
points here is what i have done in the past , as long as the car ran okay before u start messing around- turn the crank with a socket & johnson bar or use a remote starter or have a friend bump the starter until the points are at max open on the distributor shaft. measure the points gap with a set of feeler guages & record it . now replace the points & condenser and re-gap them to the value that u recorded prior to removing them. donot forget to use some points cam lube. now start the car & use a dwell meter to set the dwell/gap properly . advice - when u purcahse new points & condenser, if u can, obtain the points/condenser combined unit for the post 1972 engines as they are easier to install . gerry 72 gs 350 ht #s 98 gs sc3800
