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Tips
Tips

TR4/4A Points Tech Tip

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TR Tom

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I’m a big fan of points. (Pertronix vs points discussion belongs on another thread on another day). The one thing I never liked about them though was that annoying little slot headed screw (usually with a worn useless slot) that held them to the breaker plate. A number of years ago I finally replaced mine with a new better version. You will need a standard 10/32 electrical ground screw. There are several slight variations. Get the kind with a thread chaser tip and you won’t have to retap the hole in the breaker plate, and if you get the kind with a 5/16” hex head you can use the same nut driver as you use for the nut that holds the wires to the points assy. These screws even have an integrated washer head. After you chase the new threads you’ll probably want to cut the new screw a little shorter (see picture).

A small change, but one that makes this job a little more pleasant. I was reminded of this when I stumbled upon a very interesting discussion about points in the tech tips section on the Advanced Distributors website. A good read.

Happy motoring,
Tom
 

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IMHO having a spare breaker plate with points & condenser installed (and in a ziplock) at the ready,
is the wisest way to travel. You can change a breaker plate in 2 minutes and be back on the road if needed.
Mad dog
 
I hardly recognised one in such a pristine state, but yes that is the lady. You just need the points
and condenser AND the screws to put together .Voila one roadside rescue kit.
Mad dog
 
mctriumph said:
IMHO having a spare breaker plate with points & condenser installed (and in a ziplock) at the ready,
is the wisest way to travel. You can change a breaker plate in 2 minutes and be back on the road if needed.
Mad dog
Click to expand...
Had to use this trick BOTH times my Pertronix kit failed on the road. Needless to say, there will NOT be a third time!
 
Huh
Mad dog, appreciate your comments. I know that the Pertronix does not play well with electromagnetic interference (the factory original solid core wires probably the worst). Curious, does it kill the Pertronix forever? Or, if you replace with proper resistance wires will it work again?

I've been running Pertronix for 20+ years with no issues. I am using non-resistor Champion spark plugs. My wires are Magnecor which are 3,000 Ohms/ft resistance. But, I have box of new wires in the basement rated at 500 Ohms/ft.

Bob
 
Not sure what the minimum resistance Pertronix requires is. But I presume 500 Ohms would be good
with the resister plugs(NGK for my money)
Mad dog
 
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