The Ford Barn

alexiskai · 11-29-2025, 12:29 AM

I saw one used while troubleshooting a car at the Old Car Festival. The appeal of it is that you don't have to crank the engine around or loosen the cam to put the rubbing block on the high point of the cam. The cylinder part fits snugly around the cam and the rubbing block sits on the outside of it, which lifts the point arm off the block. The cylinder is of course slightly larger than the cam, so to compensate, the thickness gauge that comes with it is slightly thicker than the actual recommended point gap.

That's why they tell you to always use the gauge that comes with the tool, otherwise if you use a .020 gauge with the tool, then when you take the tool off, the points close back up to the actual diameter of the cam and your gap is too small.

It certainly works well enough to merit keeping in the car as part of your roadside troubleshooting kit.

11-29-2025, 12:29 AM	#2
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 3,179	Re: Quick Point Gap Setter I saw one used while troubleshooting a car at the Old Car Festival. The appeal of it is that you don't have to crank the engine around or loosen the cam to put the rubbing block on the high point of the cam. The cylinder part fits snugly around the cam and the rubbing block sits on the outside of it, which lifts the point arm off the block. The cylinder is of course slightly larger than the cam, so to compensate, the thickness gauge that comes with it is slightly thicker than the actual recommended point gap. That's why they tell you to always use the gauge that comes with the tool, otherwise if you use a .020 gauge with the tool, then when you take the tool off, the points close back up to the actual diameter of the cam and your gap is too small. It certainly works well enough to merit keeping in the car as part of your roadside troubleshooting kit.