The Ford Barn

lotsagas4u · 10-02-2021, 04:32 PM

Bought a set of points from one the A parts dealers. The points don't fit so well. There is part of the front hanging off the point face. This is my first time of installing points in a model A. Is this common? Who has the best quality, original style points?
Thanks

Ruth · 10-02-2021, 04:47 PM

I like Bratton's. I also use their machined stationary point block. It is made to align the pointshttps://www.brattons.com/MACHINED-DI...uctinfo/17351/

nkaminar · 10-02-2021, 05:00 PM

A photo would help.

Patrick L. · 10-02-2021, 05:22 PM

Yep, seems to be a problem sometimes.

I've had to do some drilling/filing to get them where they need to be.

Greg Jones · 10-02-2021, 07:47 PM

Yeah that is because they don't make the points correctly nowadays and apparently can't be bothered to correct it. The workaround is per above, the vendors sell a specially machined point block that better (but not perfectly) aligns the points. Welcome to the world of reproduction parts. This is an example of what makes me nuts about some reproduction parts-like, why couldn't they just make it correctly?

1crosscut · 10-02-2021, 10:20 PM

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The fixed side of the point block will need to be moved some to align the points. Put a mark on the lower plate at each mounting screw to indicate the direction it needs to move. Remove the points block and elongate the two holes in the direction of the marks using a small rat tail file. Do a little at a time and check the fit until you get it to line up. Doesn't take long and works well.

katy · 10-03-2021, 11:01 AM

The lower plate that was in the distributor of my A had a fixed point block and the new replacement points didn't line up. I had to source a new lower plate and point block and then file the point block mounting holes to get the points to line up.

J Franklin · 10-03-2021, 01:06 PM

I like to buy nos or nors points because they usually fit. Use the good points until they are worn completely done and you will be surprised how many years they will give good service. Some people just replace points for no real good reason and then find these other problems!

JD 1931 · 10-03-2021, 01:24 PM

NAPA has good points and condensers

Gene F · 10-03-2021, 02:01 PM

Just look at Katy's photo. That's not even close to a good part.

Ruth · 10-03-2021, 02:43 PM

I can't even imagine where Katy buys parts...

All parts from Bratton's. All repro and fits fine.

katy · 10-04-2021, 09:36 AM

Quote:

I can't even imagine where Katy buys parts...

Brattons

Ruth · 10-04-2021, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

Brattons

Well as you can see from my picture, with Bratton's stationary block cures the problem with no modification to the upper plate.

KGBnut · 10-04-2021, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

The lower plate that was in the distributor of my A had a fixed point block and the new replacement points didn't line up. I had to source a new lower plate and point block and then file the point block mounting holes to get the points to line up.

I've never seen one like that. Is the plate cast with the points block in place?

Ken

Bob C · 10-04-2021, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth

Well as you can see from my picture, with Bratton's stationary block cures the problem with no modification to the upper plate.

He's got the early plate with the cast in point contact block.

KGBnut · 10-04-2021, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

He's got the early plate with the cast in point contact block.

See that...you learn something new every day.

Thanks,

Ken

Ruth · 10-04-2021, 03:48 PM

Notice how the screw on Katy's plate is outboard compared to the Bratton's, locating the stationary point inward causing the miss alignment. it doesn't appear to me that bratton's points were designed to work on that plate.

J Franklin · 10-04-2021, 04:25 PM

Did an early plate distributor get different points?

chrs1961815 · 10-04-2021, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Did an early plate distributor get different points?

Not that I can tell.

10-02-2021, 04:32 PM	#1
lotsagas4u Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Plainview, Texas Posts: 757	Points don't fit Bought a set of points from one the A parts dealers. The points don't fit so well. There is part of the front hanging off the point face. This is my first time of installing points in a model A. Is this common? Who has the best quality, original style points? Thanks

10-02-2021, 04:47 PM	#2
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,336	Re: Points don't fit I like Bratton's. I also use their machined stationary point block. It is made to align the pointshttps://www.brattons.com/MACHINED-DI...uctinfo/17351/ __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread" Last edited by Ruth; 10-02-2021 at 04:54 PM.

10-02-2021, 05:00 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,889	Re: Points don't fit A photo would help. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-02-2021, 05:22 PM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Points don't fit Yep, seems to be a problem sometimes. I've had to do some drilling/filing to get them where they need to be.

10-02-2021, 07:47 PM	#5
Greg Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Aiken, South Carolina Posts: 695	Re: Points don't fit Yeah that is because they don't make the points correctly nowadays and apparently can't be bothered to correct it. The workaround is per above, the vendors sell a specially machined point block that better (but not perfectly) aligns the points. Welcome to the world of reproduction parts. This is an example of what makes me nuts about some reproduction parts-like, why couldn't they just make it correctly?

10-02-2021, 10:20 PM	#6
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,907	Re: Points don't fit Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The fixed side of the point block will need to be moved some to align the points. Put a mark on the lower plate at each mounting screw to indicate the direction it needs to move. Remove the points block and elongate the two holes in the direction of the marks using a small rat tail file. Do a little at a time and check the fit until you get it to line up. Doesn't take long and works well. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

10-03-2021, 01:06 PM	#8
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,958	Re: Points don't fit I like to buy nos or nors points because they usually fit. Use the good points until they are worn completely done and you will be surprised how many years they will give good service. Some people just replace points for no real good reason and then find these other problems!

10-03-2021, 01:24 PM	#9
JD 1931 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: west coast Fla.. Posts: 311	Re: Points don't fit NAPA has good points and condensers

10-03-2021, 02:01 PM	#10
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,951	Re: Points don't fit Just look at Katy's photo. That's not even close to a good part.

10-04-2021, 03:48 PM	#17
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,336	Re: Points don't fit Notice how the screw on Katy's plate is outboard compared to the Bratton's, locating the stationary point inward causing the miss alignment. it doesn't appear to me that bratton's points were designed to work on that plate. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

10-04-2021, 04:25 PM	#18
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,958	Re: Points don't fit Did an early plate distributor get different points?

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