Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

[mtb1981]

Thought I would share this after I spent an afternoon trying to figure out why my engine would crank, but not catch. Long story short, even though I replaced the points and condenser at the beginning of last year, and didn't run the boat at all, they were still the culprit.

The fix was fairly easy. Take the points out of the distributor. File the oxidized points down to clean, bare metal with a fingernail file (emery board), then replace. You can test them with a multimeter set to it's continuity setting to make sure that they will conduct electricity. You can also just replace the points with a new set if you feel so inclined.

Also make sure to file the distributor cap contacts and the rotor contacts since they are probably just as bad. Again, you could also just replace these parts if you have the money.

 

[mtb1981]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

Sorry for splitting the pics. What you are looking at is this:

1) Multimeter showing Discontinuity.
2) Multimeter showing continuity.
3) Multimeter testing the conductivity of the points frame.
4) Showing discontinuity between the points.
5) Closeup of the stationary point with some corrosion/oxidation.
6) Closeup of spring mounted point showing corrosion/oxidation.
7) Spring point after filing with an emery board (fingernail file).
8) Stationary point after filing.
9) Continuity!
10)

 

[ziggy]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

i replace cap, rotor, points, condenser, sparkplugs, yearly. prior to putting the boat back into service from winterization. it's good insurance that yer boat will run as well as possible.... once a year i go thru every connection that i can find and remove the terminals and emery them shiny clean too.... over the corse of just a year, ya can see the glaze that gets on them compared to shiny clean.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

If you can't afford a new set of points each year, then you deserve to have an engine that doesn't run. If you file points, even on a good day they only last a fraction of the time of new ones. Points do glaze over when setting unused for months on end during winter. Why play the silly game. If there isn't any spark and the points are bad replace them. I normally file old points just to verify if I get spark back or not. If I do I put in new points and condenser and explain to the customer that some minor preventive maintenance was in order to fix his non starting engine.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

I always changed my points once a year, especially if they looked like those. Cleaning points is the same to me as cleaning spark plugs...not worth the time. With the price of todays gasoline, a new set of points is pretty darn cost effective compared to using used cleaned up points.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

Also make sure to file the distributor cap contacts and the rotor contacts since they are probably just as bad. Again, you could also just replace these parts if you have the money.

Why would you want to widen the air gap between the rotor and the cap. Replace them!

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

Despite the general opinions here against filing points vs. replacing, I heartily applaud your work to try and provide useful info for the members of this board.

Keep at it

Erik

 

[ziggy]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

I heartily applaud your work to try and provide useful info for the members of this board.

Keep at it

agreed......

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

I sure have dressed points with a file more than a few times in my life. For what it's worth, my 67 evinrude has dual point set up and have changed them only once or twice in the 25yrs I've owned it, I just spiff up and regap the plugs, I hit the points with a points file and regap, hit the rotor and contacts and go, I have never changed the wires. Ok so it sounds like neglect but I have never had engine problems other than a mouse chewed my wireing one winter.
I now have an inboard V8 and it may be a different story on the points ignition, time will tell. I still use my evinrude MFG for fishing 10 yr old points and all is well.

 

[mtb1981]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

If you can't afford a new set of points each year, then you deserve to have an engine that doesn't run.

Wow! Call the fire department because I think I just got flamed.

Sorry, but some of us can't afford to just replace parts because the could go bad. If you have the money, it's a great idea, but some of us barely get by, and an extra $50-$60 goes a long way.

To those of you who appreciate this, I sincerely thank you.

 

[Don S]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

A set of points is less than 10 bucks. Filing points is a way to get home, not get ready for the new boating season. Plus, with a good tuneup, your boat gets better mileage for that $5 a gallon fuel.

 

[ndfritz]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

when working on points, always swipe a piece of paper between the two contacts when they are closed after setting the gap, this cleans all dirt and any oil film from the contacts.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Points, Points and More Points, with Pics!

Wow! Call the fire department because I think I just got flamed.

That's not bad, I'll have to remember that.

Sorry, but some of us can't afford to just replace parts because the could go bad. If you have the money, it's a great idea, but some of us barely get by, and an extra $50-$60 goes a long way.

You don't mention what you are working on, but as mentioned above, points are cheap. Cheap enough that it really is penny wise and dollar foolish to file and regap. The only time I was shocked at the price of points was when I bought points for my old Chrysler 55 HP outboard. I think it was something like 50 - 60 dollars for a set of points and condenser. I thought they were kidding!

To those of you who appreciate this, I sincerely thank you.

I appreciate it.