how long do points last.
 

read here often and have not posted in quite some time. all has been going well. However, the last time I made the trip (300 mi ea way) to Vermont, she started running like crap the last 50 miles or so. Luckily I made it home ok.

I have yet to change the cap, rotor, plugs, points,,,,which I think will solve my issue...but I was wondering....

How many miles do you put on a flathead before you change the plugs, cap rotor, etc....? I have maybe 3000 miles on it since everything was "new".

Back in 1935....3000 miles was a long way no? so what do you think?

I have a Mallory elec ignition all new since rebuild but the old points were running sooo well...I never installed. now I'm thinking about what to do...

thanks, no worries...we'll figure it out. (winter is coming).

CP

Re: how long do points last.
 

back in the 50,s a tune up was points & plugs & cond. every 10,000 miles gen brushes 25,000. cap & roter were looked at if needed they were replaced

Re: how long do points last.
 

I have a Mallory elec ignition all new since rebuild but the old points were running sooo well...I never installed. now I'm thinking about what to do...

electronic ignition doesn't have the arcing like capacitive discharge ign.
Just the fiber wears down and just re adjust.

Re: how long do points last.
 

So it started running like crap all of a sudden? Look at the simple things first. Loose wires and connections on the primary circuit including the condenser. Start at the coil and work your way back to the battery. Loose or shorted HT wires.
The condenser is high on the list of electrical failures. Replace that before doing a tune up.

Re: how long do points last.
 

In my opinion, point life is directly related to 2 things. Quality of the points, NOS best, nylon rubbing blocks worst, and how close the condenser mfd rating is compared to what it is supposed to be. When you have NOS points and the correct condenser--and it is set up on a machine you should get many thousands of miles on the points and condenser.

Re: how long do points last.
 

A good condenser is the key to a long lasting set of points. It's getting harder to find good condensers.

Re: how long do points last.
 

Ford recommended replacing points every 10,000 miles. That's what I do. Technically speaking, the first of the two points to open may never need replacing because it does not cut off the current and never arcs. Only the second point to open ever does that and is the only one that really "wears". My first points always look like new. But, since the points come in pairs I replace them both "just in case."

Re: how long do points last.
 

As said by deuce roadster and rotorwrench, the balance of the condenser capacitance is the key to long-lived points if all other connections are normal.

http://www.dansmc.com/condenser_capacity.gif

Lonnie