cleaning points

[coolguy147]

how do u clean the points on the magneto ignition system cause i need to do this before i torque my flywheel down

can i just use rubbing alcohol on it and paper towels to wipe it up?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: cleaning points

If they are pitted replace them but if not too bad can be resurfaced with a fine oilstone.

Alcohol, gasoline with no oil ,or any other degreasing solvent and wipe absolutely clean with a clean cloth, tissue etc. Don't touch them with your fingers once clean.

 

[mthieme]

Re: cleaning points

I've always used a needle file.
Sandpaper when nothing else is available.
Can't see an oil stone fitting in there.

 

[asdasc]

Re: cleaning points

I haven't had to do it on a boat motor yet, but I always used to use one of those cheap, thin cardboard nail files with the grit on both sides. Stick it between the open points, loosen the screw so that it loosely clamps on the file, and slide the file gently back and forth. After you remove the file, then re-set the points to the proper air gap and you are set.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: cleaning points

well i just replaced the points in my motor and i think i touched them with my fingers the points and wanted to clean them before i torque the baby down..


so just put of rubbing alcohol then wipe away and file then reset the gap then done? do i ahve to file cause i dont really feel lieking resetting my gaps

 

[mthieme]

Re: cleaning points

If they are new - no.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: cleaning points

no to what me filing them? or me doign anything to them?

 

[mthieme]

Re: cleaning points

No, you do not need to file.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: cleaning points

so alcohol on a wipe and im ready to go then recheck gaps and bang.

can i use a ordinary paper towel for the job?

 

[Grem]

Re: cleaning points

It's important to keep the faces parallel. I use a piece of fine grit wet and dry (around 600) folded over so that when inserted between the contacts, the spring clamps them uniformly on to the abrasive. (I've found this is easier and gentler than a needle file and finer abrasive than disposable nail files). Then gently work the paper back and forth a few times.
To clean, I used a solvent soaked cigarette paper in the same way.

 

[Sea18Horse]

Re: cleaning points

With a brand new set of points some rubbing alcohol and a paper towel will work perfectly fine. You generally don't want to do this with an older set of points though. Reason being that one side will have a little point and the other side will have a matching pit. The paper gets caught on the point in between and causes a poor connection. In that case a piece of folded fine sand paper is a much better plan as others have suggested. But yeah, clean it up with a little alcohol and you'll be good to go.

....................Todd

 

[Vic.S]

Re: cleaning points

Can't see an oil stone fitting in there

All the mag points I have worked on, old car distributor points as well, have been dismantlable so that the fixed and moving contact can be separated. If the Evinrude ones dont separate then fair enough you cant use a stone.


However if there is a pit in one and a pip on the other you cannot adjust the gap so it is vital that they are refaced up or replaced.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: cleaning points

I keep some old, clean business cards in the shop just for a final cleaning on points. Put some alcohol or carb cleaner on a clean, white part of a card and slip it between the point contacts then pull it out. Wait a few then blow some compressed air over the whole mag, then reinstall the flywheel.