The Ford Barn

Jeff/Illinois · 10-10-2016, 06:18 PM

Running a new mfg. original style distributor from Bert's and when I set the points, and tighten down the set screw, the point block pivots.

I've taken the upper plate off of course and tightened both screws after mating up the point contacts as well as I could, put it back together set the points and the same thing happens. Did this twice today same results.

Been awhile since I played with the original point setup was running modern points for a long time, so I'm trying to jog my memory here. Loaned my copy of Les Andrew's manual to a buddy who lives about thirty miles away.

Question: there is no lock washer under the screw head to hold it tight to the upper plate, is there? Thanks for the help.

Tom Wesenberg · 10-10-2016, 06:40 PM

Each screw should have a lock washer, but only one screw also has a flat washer, and that's over the larger hole.

CWPASADENA · 10-10-2016, 10:28 PM

I have recently rebuilt 5 distributors using new point blocks. In every case, I found there are 2 bosses that set down in the holes in the upper plate are too long and will not let the screws to tightly clamp the block to the plate. Shorten these bosses a little and the screws will tighten the block against the plate.

I also had to elongate one of the holes in the plate to get the points to line up correctly.

My experience.

Chris W.

Jeff/Illinois · 10-11-2016, 07:58 AM

Thanks I'll take another look at it or just scrounge the parts of of another dissy I have in the garage.

The large insulating washer is there but no lock washers. The points also do not lie up to my liking so I'll open up the hole a tad.

Cape Codder · 10-11-2016, 11:54 AM

Isn't it possible to bend the moving arm to align the points?

CWPASADENA · 10-12-2016, 12:03 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Isn't it possible to bend the moving arm to align the points?

Not with the alignment problem we are having.

You would have to stretch the moving arm to make it longer which you can not do.

So we have to elongate the holes in the plate so we can move the fixed point closer to the center of the distributor.

With original blocks and plates, you can adjust the block so the points align properly.

Chris W.

fiddlybits · 10-12-2016, 03:50 PM

OPF - Original Points Forever.

Dutie · 10-12-2016, 07:11 PM

Have had that same problem a short time back with the point block moving around when you go to tighten. Solved mine with two stainless steel star washers, they really grip in preventing the block from movin round when you tighten. Has been working good for me. Good luck !

Jeff/Illinois · 10-13-2016, 08:57 AM

Good ideas all thanks guys will modify this.

10-10-2016, 06:18 PM	#1
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,792	Point block shifts Running a new mfg. original style distributor from Bert's and when I set the points, and tighten down the set screw, the point block pivots. I've taken the upper plate off of course and tightened both screws after mating up the point contacts as well as I could, put it back together set the points and the same thing happens. Did this twice today same results. Been awhile since I played with the original point setup was running modern points for a long time, so I'm trying to jog my memory here. Loaned my copy of Les Andrew's manual to a buddy who lives about thirty miles away. Question: there is no lock washer under the screw head to hold it tight to the upper plate, is there? Thanks for the help.

10-10-2016, 06:40 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Point block shifts Each screw should have a lock washer, but only one screw also has a flat washer, and that's over the larger hole.

10-10-2016, 10:28 PM	#3
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,892	Re: Point block shifts I have recently rebuilt 5 distributors using new point blocks. In every case, I found there are 2 bosses that set down in the holes in the upper plate are too long and will not let the screws to tightly clamp the block to the plate. Shorten these bosses a little and the screws will tighten the block against the plate. I also had to elongate one of the holes in the plate to get the points to line up correctly. My experience. Chris W.

10-11-2016, 07:58 AM	#4
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,792	Re: Point block shifts Thanks I'll take another look at it or just scrounge the parts of of another dissy I have in the garage. The large insulating washer is there but no lock washers. The points also do not lie up to my liking so I'll open up the hole a tad.

10-11-2016, 11:54 AM	#5
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,264	Re: Point block shifts Isn't it possible to bend the moving arm to align the points?

10-12-2016, 03:50 PM	#7
fiddlybits Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: N Illinois Posts: 447	Re: Point block shifts OPF - Original Points Forever.

10-12-2016, 07:11 PM	#8
Dutie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Kingston N>Y> Posts: 121	Re: Point block shifts Have had that same problem a short time back with the point block moving around when you go to tighten. Solved mine with two stainless steel star washers, they really grip in preventing the block from movin round when you tighten. Has been working good for me. Good luck !

10-13-2016, 08:57 AM	#9
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,792	Re: Point block shifts Good ideas all thanks guys will modify this.