Sanding Points OK?

[777funk]

Seems like the OMC points look a little different than say a set for a Briggs. Is it ok to sand them with 400 wet/dry paper?

 

[Chris1956]

Yes, or use a fine file. Try to make them flat and parallel, so they open "smartly".

 

[F_R]

We were told for 50 years to never sand them. But we're all doing it now anyway.

 

[Chinewalker]

Make sure you clean them afterwards, as any sanding grit left in the gap can create issues. I dip a piece of old IBM programmers punch card (Dad was an IBM'er for 35 years) in carb cleaner and run it through the points to get any grit, oil, etc. off them.

 

[oldboat1]

I set new or used points with a feeler gauge dipped in a little acetone (sometimes additionally use a piece of wet/dry before resetting old ones).

 

[Bayou Dave]

I grew up with cars that had points. We sanded them all the time. Cheap fix. As said above, make sure they are flat and clean afterwards.

 

[boobie]

Didn't OMC tell you to sand new points before putting them into service ??

 

[jimmbo]

No. They did say to make sure they were clean though. If I were to sand them, it would only a last ditch effort and I would use something much much finer than 400. then would wash and polish them

 

[Scott Danforth]

I own a points file. They made it for a reason. I also use the wife's emery sticks....shhh don't tell her

 

[boobie]

The sanding of new OMC points came from an OMC instructor in a service school years ago. If you didn't do it the first time they fired they could start to pit on you. Something about a film left from manufacturing.

 

[thumbnut]

I use a fine sharpening hone with oil and make one flat and one convex like the new ones. They have to be separated or taken apart though to do that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I use a fine sharpening hone with oil and make one flat and one convex like the new ones. They have to be separated or taken apart though to do that.

your over thinking it. run the points file thru them twice, install and go boating.

 

[redneck joe]

Make sure you clean them afterwards, as any sanding grit left in the gap can create issues. I dip a piece of old IBM programmers punch card (Dad was an IBM'er for 35 years) in carb cleaner and run it through the points to get any grit, oil, etc. off them.

Mine too. I remember going to the office with him and playing with the old 'programs'. Cant believe you still have them.


I'm not an expert but got a buddy that always uses a dollar bill. Or when hes working on mine, a 20.....

 

[fhhuber]

Always used a points file to clean up the points and avoid changing them in cars that had them.

The finer the file or sandpaper the better.

Blow out the dust with canned air or similar. Not high pressure from an air compressor's nozzle.

Used to use a squeeze bulb similar to those things they sell to clean baby's noses now....

 

[HighTrim]

I dress new or nos points as well before use, like Boobie states. You get a better spark. Especially true on NOS points.

I have a points file I run through. Then blow off with compressed air. I dip paper stock or business card, in acetone and run that through. Then blow off again. Now test for resistance.