Point Alignment

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

It would be nice to have a major Model "A" parts person explain why the ignition points are not made correctly, and tell us why they are selling these faulty parts.

Vendors typically sell what is available. The better quality venders sell the best available. If nothing of quality is available, what are they supposed to do? A Peddler cannot make a living selling his wares if his cart is empty!!

Originally Posted by 2speed

I bought a new top plate(which the points don't fit on the post), I bought a new point block, new points, which are supposedly the new correct length one. I also have a machined point block that supposedly fits the bad points. After mix and matching all the combinations, they don't line up to my satisfaction. I found an old point block, and voila it's perfect.

Are the new parts still no good? This is frustrating as I'm buying new and it just doesn't work. Or just move to the new style points?

Just so we are clear, the aftermarket "new style points" are made offshore too, ...so what kind of QC are you/we expecting to see on an item that was last used on OE applications some 40+ years ago?


FWIW, there is a strong misunderstanding (-or expectation) that replacement parts are supposed to fit exactly as the original item did when new. During the 1950s thru the turn of the Century, this was just understood ...and reproduction parts were used as a last resort when new original parts (NOS or NORS) could not be found. With a minor exception by manufacturers such as Al LePore or others, most reproduction or aftermarket parts were not 'plug & play' quality because the end-user was not paying for that level of quality. And just so this is also clear, there are a few people that will say they would rather pay for the best quality however it has been proven repeatedly that these number of hobbyists by percentages is very small. I will also tell you that from my perspective of being in the profession, poor quality aftermarket parts for collector vehicles is the same across the board with all marques. When restoring a Mustang, a vintage Volkswagen, a Tri5 Chevrolet, a 60s-70s Ford or Chevy P/U, etc., rarely do aftermarket or reproduction parts fit when removed from the shipping package or box. So Model-A reproduction parts do not have the franchise on parts not fitting.

[BButturff]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I will also tell you that from my perspective of being in the profession, poor quality aftermarket parts for collector vehicles is the same across the board with all marques. When restoring a Mustang, a vintage Volkswagen, a Tri5 Chevrolet, a 60s-70s Ford or Chevy P/U, etc., rarely do aftermarket or reproduction parts fit when removed from the shipping package or box. So Model-A reproduction parts do not have the franchise on parts not fitting.

I'm fairly new to the Model A world but this has been my experience with my other cars as well.

[2speed]

FWIW, there is a strong misunderstanding (-or expectation) that replacement parts are supposed to fit exactly as the original item did when new. During the 1950s thru the turn of the Century, this was just understood ...and reproduction parts were used as a last resort when new original parts (NOS or NORS) could not be found. With a minor exception by manufacturers such as Al LePore or others, most reproduction or aftermarket parts were not 'plug & play' quality because the end-user was not paying for that level of quality. And just so this is also clear, there are a few people that will say they would rather pay for the best quality however it has been proven repeatedly that these number of hobbyists by percentages is very small. I will also tell you that from my perspective of being in the profession, poor quality aftermarket parts for collector vehicles is the same across the board with all marques. When restoring a Mustang, a vintage Volkswagen, a Tri5 Chevrolet, a 60s-70s Ford or Chevy P/U, etc., rarely do aftermarket or reproduction parts fit when removed from the shipping package or box. So Model-A reproduction parts do not have the franchise on parts not fitting.

Ok, I get that a body part needs fitting, or a fairly complicated piece might not be quite right, but points are kind of the heart and soul of the machine. They should be right.


Also this isn't 1950 anymore. CNC machines are capable of holding to the micron. Just recently I had to modify my distributor intermediate drive shaft for correct length. Others had to modify the same and the slots. There is no excuse, NONE. I can make one of these in my home shop if I had to, it's pretty simple. Today with a CNC lathe, live tooling, and double chucks, you can turn them out like popcorn, and have them be perfect. I know this because I work at a bearing manufacturer that has that equipment and does those kind of operations on parts. The shaft is about $5. Someone is going to bitch that it costs 6 or 7 dollars and actually fits correctly?