a question on points alignment

[christian]

How important is it in your opinions that the points contact completly square?

I ask this because on my points (original configuration) no matter how I adjust them, when closed they only are physically half in contact, while the other half a hair apart. Should I attempt to bent the points arm? or should this be okay?

Thank you for any imput.

[Kevin in NJ]

They must be square.

Loosen the screws on the bottom of the stationary contact to align the faces.

[Mitch//pa]

I have found that the point hold down block (holds the adjustable side of the points) that is fastened to the upper plate is adjustable and by tweaking it a little the points will align perfectly...

[milo]

Bend them if you have to to make them square...

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by milo

Bend them if you have to to make them square...

The adjustable ground contact can usually be made to line up, but if you attempt to bend the movable arm on an original top plate, you may break the insulated mounting board. Sometimes that board is warped, and that can be the cause of the misalignment.

[Mitch//pa]

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here is a pic of what i am talking about the 2 holes in the plate that hold the point block, one is enlarged for alignment of the contacts

[christian]

I have tried adjusting the block but wont quite make it... When you say tweak it, do you mean try to twist the actual block?

[bhiland]

Agreed they must be square. I had a new set and they was off a hair. Still ran ok but squared them up and could tell a difference.

[christian]

i guess i could try to enlargen that hole for more movement

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by christian

I have tried adjusting the block but wont quite make it... When you say tweak it, do you mean try to twist the actual block?

i pryed my original plate //block with a screwdriver and it moved enough to get a good alignment

[redmodelt]

Try a points file if all else fails.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Hard to find a GOOD point file. Snap On Tools used to sell great flex stones for dressing points, but they don't have them anymore. Maybe motorcycle parts suppliers have them??? Bill W.

[Marvin/TN]

How about an emory board for fileing ladies finger nails??

[Mitch//pa]

the O/P asked about point alignment. now were going to file them to fit

[RonC]

If adjusting the point block is not enough then you can bend the movable point arm using a point bending tool.

[JBill]

A theme in earlier threads has often been that the original points are a lot easier to adjust. This thread doesn't seem to support that idea. Modern points don't present this issue since they're all one unit, though the modern set up might have other issues--like the wireless bottom plate problem which, by the way, has been much talked about in theory. But, I've don't recall seeing a post here from anyone for whom this was an actual problem. New modern set ups don't usually use the wireless plate anyway.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by JBill

A theme in earlier threads has often been that the original points are a lot easier to adjust.This thread doesn't seem to support that idea.

Original points and a original top plate. Reproduction parts are often different batch to batch. I have thousands of miles on my A with no point problems since I first installed them 10 years ago.

As for this thread not supporting the idea of original is best, I don't see that. I'm reading ideas if that one person cannot get them to line up, I'm not reading that everyone had to bend or modify anything to make them work. And the modern stuff, the majority of what I have read seems to have to do with junk condensers.

[lindy williams]

Just file out the adjustment hole in the upper plate a little until the stationary point aligns with the moveable point. Its a lot safer than bending the points.

[Purdy Swoft]

I think that the problem is gyp parts. We had this problem in the sixties with J.C. Whitney points. Lindy has the right idea. File the holes in the upper plate for more adjustment. I've been running the same original style points from Brattons in my 31 tudor for over 13 years. The so called modern poins were not designed for the model A distributor and are a jury rig at best.

[markyb]

I have the NuRex upper plate and noticed that the replacement points that I received from Mac's had a weird crimp on the brass pivot point on the underside of the points that would not allow it to sit flush with the plate. That meant that the points arm was not square against the cam. I bought a few sets from Snyder's that had a smooth stud on the bottom that fit the plate better. NuRex advised to not modify the plate to fit the unusual points pin.

The odd one is on the left in the attached picture