Poor quality ignition points
 

G'Day,
I have been having trouble with poor quality ignition points bought from local Model A parts suppliers here in New Zealand. They are very poorly made in China or India and don't fit the top plate properly and also don't maintain the correct gap. So I want to get high quality USA-made points that I can rely on. I am using the modern-type points that attach to a Nu-Rex top plate. I have emailed Snyders asking if they sell better quality USA-made points, but they did not reply. So does that mean Snyders also sell crappy Asian-made points? I have always received good quality stuff from them before.

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Yup - crappy points these days from Snyder's. I got a set two weeks ago from them and there's no way the points can line up. They are at an angle to each other, even using an original points block. I tried multiple original and repo points blocks and upper plates. No way those points would fit properly. Pure JUNK!!!
I hope Snyder's corrects this or I'm going back to modern points and condenser. I have installed dozens of these over the years without a single problem. I don't know why people seem to have trouble with them, unless there are other gotcha's masking the perceived modern setup problem. If there is one bad part among 100 repo's in a lot purchased by a vendor, I'm the guy who gets that bad part in his order. So, of all those modern setups I have installed, you'd think I'd end up with a couple bad sets. Not so far. I started using the modern setup in the 1990's when original style points were bad then, too. I guess the cycle is starting all over again. :(
Marshall

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

I will say, I had one case of questionable part from Synder's --Don make it good. So if you have an issue with a part, surely contact them...

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

If the modern points go too repco & buy them , bosh points as used in Cortina, falcon etc .

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Thanks, I will try Repco, (but I'm surprised they will fit a Model A?)

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

You will have to special order a set from Repco. Bosch Points. GF 82 V. Suit Ford V8 1958 to mid 1970. Points part number GA 61 C

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

I'm having the same problem with my '43 Gpw. When you see most of the vendors selling them for $5.00, you know your in trouble. :(

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Look on FleaBay for NOS points from various USA manufacturers, I see them there all the time.

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

What about adjusting the adjustable point block mounted to the upper plate ???

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

"What about adjusting the adjustable point block mounted to the upper plate ???"
Mitch -
I tried that. I filed one of the round "pegs" on the bottom pivot of the points block so that it could be turned more to meet the points. That left only one screw holding the points block from moving because the other screw could not be installed without also drilling out the hole on the upper plate. We were in a storage locker w/o electricity (or drill and bits), so that was not an option at the time. The points still didn't line up properly. Unless someone is into spending a couple hours modifying their original parts so that these improperly-made points can be used this one time, I'd advise against it. Once those points are used up, you'll be stuck with an irreversible modification that is half-*ssed at best.
The solution is not modification. The solution is to manufacture the points properly. Jeez, how complicated can that be from a company that makes these things for a living???
Marshall

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

I bought some quality NOS points sets from Jim Sinclair at the swap meet. If you are going to the Gilmore this year I'd bet Jim and his friend will be set up again.

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Keep in mind you do not need new points.

While I have 2 NOS Ford sets cause I got them cheap, I have a jar of used Standard and Ford points with tons of life in the wear block and the points look like new.

Points only need to be changed when the points look bad or the wear block is gone. My brothers coupe was restored back around 1970 and is still running the points that came with the car.

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Good point Kevin, some point sets can go on forever................

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

You are all missing the point ,Apart from Dave, HE is talking MODERN points , not original type ones ,
Mac if you can,t find , think we can help .

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Yup. "quickchange" is right. My apologies. I got off on a tangent about poor quality original style points recently purchased from Snyder's instead of sticking to the subject of modern points. However, it is somewhat comforting to see I am not the only one who got a bad set of original style. At least the non-subject postings in this thread served some useful purpose in making the readers aware that bad sets of original style points are showing up, too.
So, back to the O.P.'s question. I haven't purchased the modern style for about six months and as I wrote, I have never had a problem with these conversions from the national vendors. Perhaps the modern points and the original ones that are so poorly made are manufactured by the same company? Doubtful, but that would explain why all of a sudden BOTH types are turning up bad.
Marshall

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Most of us were responding to Marshalls post...

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

I also had big problems with modern points , come to find 4 manufactures of them & guess what the so called usa ones came in in 3rd place , Mexico, was the best ??
Re standard points , have just imported both A & B ones from India , look very good now testing them , B ones been hard to get here , The good thing about this site 99% are amazing folk & can solve everything, even paypal commission , Long may this site continue & thanks everyone , Im a happy but cold downunder chappy , PS I does help folk if we talk about non stock parts on Model A,s is that what its all about , HELPING People ??

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

To answer Mad Mac the original poster about modern points and condensers for the Model A, with distributor converted to use these, I asked Tom Jordan at Snyders where theirs were made. He told me they were made by Echlin Company at their plant in Puerto Rico and that therefore they were USA made.

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Re: Poor quality ignition points
 

Echlin provides points available at NAPA.

Joe K