Another dumb question

[30-9]

Hi gents

My stock 40 has a helmet distro rebuilt by bubba to 11a. Typically, how many miles before the dual points and rotor need replacement?

[Ken/Alabama]

A lot!

[30-9]

Please define a lot. At 85 many I'm a lot, if it will last that long or another 10-15 years I’m good.

[34fordy]

Respectfully-Your car will let you know when it is time to do this.

[tubman]

When I got my '51 it had 61,000 miles and I did a full tuneup, including points, cap, and a rotor. That was in 1987. In 2016, at 81,000 miles, the original engine was getting a little tired (less than 100 lbs compression on all 8), so I replaced it with a Merc I had. I "hopped up" the Merc a bit, including a Mallory dual point. When I inspected the original distributor, all of the internal components looked good. The points showed a little wear, but the rest looked like the day I put them in. It's not a "helmet", but points is points and rotors is rotors.

[cmbrucew]

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Back in the 50s 60s rule of thumb 10,000 miles tune it up.


Bruce

[tubman]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Back in the 50s 60s rule of thumb 10,000 miles tune it up.


Bruce

Just like all of the oil change places that "recommend" a 3000 mile interval between oil changes when just about every study says that you can go at least twice that before things start deteriorating to any extent. These recommendations, both then and now, were made by the folks who make a living selling the products required by their recommendations.

Obviously. things haven't changed much.

[Tinker]

.... you'd be okay with 10 yrs most likely. Granted its a 79 yr old car. It made it this far. Depends on how you drive.

[supereal]

If the distributor was fitted with good quality points and condenser, and the shaft bushings are in good shape, and was set up on a machine, it should go for years without attention. The Ford distributors are a very durable part of the vehicle