Cleaning points

[tommr]

Pulled the boat out after being in storage for 2 winters (after 2 trips with a tank to inflate 2 flat tires) and cranked it over a few times with no fire. I took a little piece of 400 wet or dry paper, folded it in half and gently rubbed it between closed points for 3 or 4 passes.
Cranked it and it started right up and seems to run smooth although this is in the drive way with a hose attached to the out-drive so I only ran it for 2 or 3 minutes.
Will using the fine wet or dry sandpaper cause a problem?

 

[Scott Danforth]

No, and neither will a points file or your wifes nail file.

Make sure to adjust the dwell

 

[Bondo]

Will using the fine wet or dry sandpaper cause a problem?

Hi Tom,... Nope,..... No problem,.... Anything to expose clean metal contact,....

I hear the river is pretty boatable, compared to last year, this time,....

 

[tommr]

Thanks Bill. Just cleaning them up made all the difference in the world. I just was not sure if particles from the sand paper could cause a problem.
The water is down to a reasonable level and there are not nearly as many random docks floating around!
Beautiful this evening even if were were on shore looking out.
The more I think about it I think am going to put in the electronic gizmo in place of the points. And new tires for the trailer and when they are off repack the bearings. Then we are set... I hope. Now if I can only lay my hands on a dwell meter...

 

[Bondo]

Thanks Bill. Just cleaning them up made all the difference in the world. I just was not sure if particles from the sand paper could cause a problem.
The water is down to a reasonable level and there are not nearly as many random docks floating around!
Beautiful this evening even if were were on shore looking out.
The more I think about it I think am going to put in the electronic gizmo in place of the points. And new tires for the trailer and when they are off repack the bearings. Then we are set... I hope. Now if I can only lay my hands on a dwell meter...

Ayuh,..... I think mine is in the backseat of my pickup truck,.....

 

[Lou C]

Wouldn't it be nice if someone made a marine version of the old GM/Delco V8 distributor with the window you could open to adjust the dwell with the engine running? I still have my flex tool with the Allen fitting that we used back in the points era (pre 1975). Last car I used that on was a '72 Chev Impala 350/2bbl...

 

[Bondo]

I still have my flex tool with the Allen fitting that we used back in the points era (pre 1975).

Ayuh,.... I've got 1 somewhere in a toolbox,...... probably at the other shop,..... green handle I think,....

 

[tommr]

I am going to pick up the ignition parts tonight or tomorrow and probably install them this weekend. Assuming Dale ordered the correct ones.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you can use a good digital multi meter to check dwell too.

to measure dwell, first measure percent duty cycle (%DC) and convert to dwell using this formula:

Dwell = (360 divided by # of cylinders) x (%DC divided by 100%)​

you can set dwell when cranking