Failed nos ignition points

[Rustyrodknocker]

Much time wasted today and only discovered the problem after I ran out of daylight so I will continue in a week..

But to the point, I bought a set of NOS points Chrysler brand. New cap and rotor. No spark.
A bunch of back and forth and swaping on the old cap and rotor. Finally removed the new points. While holding the points open I had no continuity between the terminal and the contact. I traced continuity down the points arm, but nothing on the face of the contact. I cleaned the contact face with scotchbrite and now I have continuity.

 

[Davea Lux]

They probably corroded from sitting. This is pretty common on vintage parts.

Dave

 

[Toolmanmike]

A fingernail file works well. (Emery board)

 

[halifaxhops]

They probably corroded from sitting. This is pretty common on vintage parts.

Dave

Yes and also oil from the factory.

 

[Gerald Morris]

A fingernail file works well.

Go lightly with those, but yes. A points file does better, IFF one can get one. I've 3. Treasures! Fine emery board does well too.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Go lightly with those, but yes. A points file does better, IFF one can get one. I've 3. Treasures! Fine emery board does well too.

I went with red scotchbrite that had been used for wet sanding and was impregnated with some fine media that was formerly paint on a camaro.

 

[fullsized]

FYI: I worked at restoring pinball machines and jukeboxes for ten years. They have MANY relays and stacked contact switches like the points in the cars. Never use a file/point file/sandpaper/emery paper. It Will remove the thin plated metal on the points. Use only a "burnishing" tool with 100% alcohol. if you can't find the tool a heavy brown paper strip (like old bags) soaked in alcohol will work. Yes in a roadside fix a file will help but no for long, the points will burn up fast once it gets down to the base metal. Check out jukebox online repo parts-they sell them.

 

[Toolmanmike]

FYI: I worked at restoring pinball machines and jukeboxes for ten years. They have MANY relays and stacked contact switches like the points in the cars. Never use a file/point file/sandpaper/emery paper. It Will remove the thin plated metal on the points. Use only a "burnishing" tool with 100% alcohol. if you can't find the tool a heavy brown paper strip (like old bags) soaked in alcohol will work. Yes in a roadside fix a file will help but no for long, the points will burn up fast once it gets down to the base metal. Check out jukebox online repo parts-they sell them.

Never heard of that but it makes sense.

 

[carguy300]

Learned that myself working on old school lawn mowers with points!

 

[Big_John]

FYI: I worked at restoring pinball machines and jukeboxes for ten years. They have MANY relays and stacked contact switches like the points in the cars. Never use a file/point file/sandpaper/emery paper. It Will remove the thin plated metal on the points. Use only a "burnishing" tool with 100% alcohol. if you can't find the tool a heavy brown paper strip (like old bags) soaked in alcohol will work. Yes in a roadside fix a file will help but no for long, the points will burn up fast once it gets down to the base metal. Check out jukebox online repo parts-they sell them.

I was always told to never use emery cloth on electrical contacts, brushes, commutators etc. The reasoning was that there was conductible material that stuck to the contact and give you problems later on. This was told to me by my Dad who was a talented industrial electrician. My uncle used to rebuild starter motors and alternators and you never saw him use it either.

That was years ago and I still wince when I see emery cloth being used or recommended for electrical contacts.

 

[Gerald Morris]

FYI: I worked at restoring pinball machines and jukeboxes for ten years. They have MANY relays and stacked contact switches like the points in the cars. Never use a file/point file/sandpaper/emery paper. It Will remove the thin plated metal on the points. Use only a "burnishing" tool with 100% alcohol. if you can't find the tool a heavy brown paper strip (like old bags) soaked in alcohol will work. Yes in a roadside fix a file will help but no for long, the points will burn up fast once it gets down to the base metal. Check out jukebox online repo parts-they sell them.

You type with the authority of experience and truly. Once one resorts to any ABRASION on a contactor surface, one will race time and oxidation in an ultimate NO-WIN, BUT, to get an otherwise dud breaker to spark up again well enough to get off the road and the Lord-willing to a place to safely stow your ride until new components can be installed, use of a purpose made points file might save one some dollars. Even a matchbook cover can remove guck from the contact surface. Still, once that's done, get a replacement in quick! I've not filed points since 1982, and pray I never HAVE TO again. I keep several sets of clean, new points in the vehicle at all times instead.... Often, one set is in a ready assembled distributor.

 

[65CopCar]

FYI: I worked at restoring pinball machines and jukeboxes for ten years. They have MANY relays and stacked contact switches like the points in the cars. Never use a file/point file/sandpaper/emery paper. It Will remove the thin plated metal on the points. Use only a "burnishing" tool with 100% alcohol. if you can't find the tool a heavy brown paper strip (like old bags) soaked in alcohol will work. Yes in a roadside fix a file will help but no for long, the points will burn up fast once it gets down to the base metal. Check out jukebox online repo parts-they sell them.

Agree. But also the contacts have a profile that gets taken out when filed. I have a burnishing tool but rarely use it.