Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-19-2019, 09:44 AM   #1
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default What modern points do you use?

Modern points are anywhere from $4.25 - $8.50 and the vendors, which ones do you get at the local parts store.
Can't see paying the high prices and the shipping.
And yes, I am switching over to modern points in my 6V- system.
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2019, 09:59 AM   #2
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Good luck .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-19-2019, 10:04 AM   #3
jrelliott
Senior Member
 
jrelliott's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 792
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Here is a list of points:
Points: Echlin CS30 (original style)
Echlin CS751, CS755 (New Ford style)
Echlin DP104 (Modern Style with modifed Upper and Lower Plate)
Motorcraft DP104

Condenser: Echlin FA5
Echlin DC-1,FA82 (Modern style)
Echlin MA3 (Mallory Distributor)
Heavy Duty set of both ACCEL Set #8201
jrelliott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2019, 04:07 PM   #4
Tacoma Bob
Senior Member
 
Tacoma Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

I was disappointed here in the Pacific NW. Ford dealers no longer stock points anymore. The parts guy told me to go online,Summit, Jegs etc. $20 bucks good top of the line.
Tacoma Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2019, 04:33 PM   #5
john in illinois
Senior Member
 
john in illinois's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,181
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

I use acell points and condenser in my Tudor. I have a set I have used for 8 years and only gapped them a couple of times. They cost a lot but the condenser and points are high quality and last and keep their gap.

The felt piece goes on the arm and is oiled.

John
Attached Images
File Type: jpg EDA25E0A-439E-479F-AB6C-EBBD22735AAE.jpg (58.6 KB, 121 views)
__________________
Welcome each day
john in illinois is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2019, 04:40 PM   #6
Ernie Vitucci
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 611
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Good afternoon...You can go to NAPA or other store and ask for Ford points from 1957 to 1974. They should make your 'A' happy. Ernie in Arizona
Ernie Vitucci is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2019, 08:08 PM   #7
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Thank you all
And everyone, the reason I'm giving modern points a shot is it's such a hassle changing originals, it's worth a try...can't hurt, and if I don't like'em I can always go back
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2019, 05:48 PM   #8
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

FWIW, I run modern points from various suppliers. Some look to be fairly doubtfull quality, others good but I won't touch any of them if the contact is not hollow. (vented).
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2019, 09:46 PM   #9
whirnot
Senior Member
 
whirnot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 1,053
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

I use modern points from NAPA in one car, and old style in the other two. They all work just fine.
__________________
Bill Worden

1929 Roadster
1929 Briggs Town Sedan
1930 Closed Cab pickup
Smith Motor Compressor
1951 Ford F1

High Desert Model A's
whirnot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 09:24 AM   #10
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

UPDATE:
Well I don't like them already. The top plate is not made correctly, making it extremely difficult to adjust the points, the idea is sound, but the execution sucks.
Think I will go bavk to stock and make my own modern point set up, I will use qualiy American parts and fix that useless top plate.
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 10:12 AM   #11
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

I can see no advantage to the so called modern points .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 10:37 AM   #12
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Once again you were right Purdy, but I'm going to see what good old American farmer determination can do.
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 10:58 AM   #13
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Foreign parts may have caused failures . One of the other problems was difficulties with accurate adjustment . I don't think that points adjustment could be more simple or as accurate as the original set up . I figured why not make it easy on myself and keep my model A's as original and dependable as possible . No harm meant , just my view .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 02:07 PM   #14
100IH
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 970
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Only once 30 years ago. Only lasted 2 days and that's when the points were good ones. One might say the best motto is : modify only if known to be an improvement.
100IH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 02:25 PM   #15
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Sometimes you don't know what works until you try ...
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 04:01 PM   #16
Werner
Senior Member
 
Werner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Germany, near Aachen
Posts: 1,151
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

My nice Little Green Roadster had mounted the modern plate and points when buying.

I wanted to equip to original and ordered the early base plate and the original replica contact points and the capacitor. Remodeled, and as I wanted to set the contact points with the maggot screw, I saw that the angle of the points was not parallel, they only touched on one outer edge. That's bad and that's why I had to put back on the modern base plate angrily. Was 'Made in USA'.
__________________
Beste Gruesse aus Deutschland,
Werner


Ford Model A, Roadster, 1928
Citroen 11 CV, 1947
Hercules W 2000, 1976; (with NSU-Wankel Rotary Engine), Canadian version
Werner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 04:46 PM   #17
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

My Phaeton had original points in it when I bought it but the block, which was made from crappy muckmetal had begun to disintegrate. The car didn't run properly and the second thing I did to get it going was to put modern points in it. They are still there 9 years and 60,000 miles later.
BTW, The first thing I did was connect the spark advance rods correctly at the bell crank on the inlet manifold.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 04:56 PM   #18
Chuck Sea/Tac
Senior Member
 
Chuck Sea/Tac's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
Posts: 2,351
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tacoma Bob View Post
I was disappointed here in the Pacific NW. Ford dealers no longer stock points anymore. The parts guy told me to go online,Summit, Jegs etc. $20 bucks good top of the line.
Bob, my Napa on central in Kent carries the echlin cs30 original style in stock. I thought they’re a well built set. They cost about the same though.
Chuck Sea/Tac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 05:38 PM   #19
Tacoma Bob
Senior Member
 
Tacoma Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Hi Chuck... I run modern. I bought a bought the "Best" that NAPA sells and they are just o.k.. I don't mind steppin up as long as the quality is there.
Tacoma Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 06:08 PM   #20
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

If you are using reproduction stock style points, used the stationary points block from Bratton's. It is machined and made to be used with the repro points. Much better than the cast? block from other vendors. https://www.brattons.com/machined-di...int-block.html

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 05-21-2019 at 06:14 PM.
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 11:04 PM   #21
SSsssteamer
Senior Member
 
SSsssteamer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Posts: 1,023
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

With the 1957 to '74 points, the modern condensers are crap. Make sure that you carry an extra condenser under your seat for that roadside emergency. NOS modern condensers should be better condensers if they have been properly stored. My first modern condenser lasted me about 35 miles before it crapped out. I have put several thousand miles on since then and it has been reliable. My modern points are still spot on for adjustment.
SSsssteamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 11:36 PM   #22
RandyinUtah
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ogden Utah
Posts: 242
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

I have been running so called modern points for the last 15 years and can't remember the last time I had to change them. No up keep except cam lube.
RandyinUtah is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-22-2019, 07:21 AM   #23
leo
Senior Member
 
leo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 734
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Hi RandyinUtah, I'm fairly certain anyone could say the same for conventional points too.
leo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 08:46 AM   #24
CWPASADENA
Senior Member
 
CWPASADENA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PASADENA, CA
Posts: 1,882
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

I have modern in one car and original in the other.


Both have performed very well BUT the modern is so difficult to adjust. I would not use any more modern points because of this.


There are now very good quality distributor parts available for using original points. The repo upper plates have to be reworked a bit to get the point block aligned correctly.


Good quality modern and original points are available from O Relly's


Chris W.

Last edited by CWPASADENA; 05-22-2019 at 08:49 AM. Reason: TYPO
CWPASADENA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 09:32 AM   #25
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Werner View Post
My nice Little Green Roadster had mounted the modern plate and points when buying.

I wanted to equip to original and ordered the early base plate and the original replica contact points and the capacitor. Remodeled, and as I wanted to set the contact points with the maggot screw, I saw that the angle of the points was not parallel, they only touched on one outer edge. That's bad and that's why I had to put back on the modern base plate angrily. Was 'Made in USA'.
I also had that mis-alignment problem, filed the mounting holes for stationary point block so it could be adjusted to line up.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 09:42 AM   #26
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I've also used a file in the holes that the points block attaches to ...
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 10:28 AM   #27
The Master Cylinder
Senior Member
 
The Master Cylinder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Just curious, has anyone installed a Pertronix Ignitor ii or Ignitor iii on the modern upper plate? I know FSI uses the Ignitor but I believe it is the Ignitor i.
__________________
The Master Cylinder

Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...
The Master Cylinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 11:24 AM   #28
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Originally Posted by Werner
My nice Little Green Roadster had mounted the modern plate and points when buying.

I wanted to equip to original and ordered the early base plate and the original replica contact points and the capacitor. Remodeled, and as I wanted to set the contact points with the maggot screw, I saw that the angle of the points was not parallel, they only touched on one outer edge. That's bad and that's why I had to put back on the modern base plate angrily. Was 'Made in USA'.

I also had that mis-alignment problem, filed the mounting holes for stationary point block so it could be adjusted to line up.
------------------------------------------------------------


Brattons sells a modified point block that corrects this issue. New original style points
arm is too long. Brattons are the only vendor to offer this point block. I recently converted back to original design parts, had issues with the nurex wireless plates. The original parts with this point block has been working perfectly.
https://www.brattons.com/machined-di...int-block.html
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 11:57 AM   #29
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Update to the update:
Now I'm not getting any power to the points...moral of the story...if it works, leave well enough alone.
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 11:09 PM   #30
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by burner31 View Post
Update to the update:
Now I'm not getting any power to the points...moral of the story...if it works, leave well enough alone.
Live and learn,
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 11:40 PM   #31
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU View Post
Brattons sells a modified point block that corrects this issue. New original style points
arm is too long. Brattons are the only vendor to offer this point block. I recently converted back to original design parts, had issues with the nurex wireless plates. The original parts with this point block has been working perfectly.
https://www.brattons.com/machined-di...int-block.html
See post #20
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2019, 12:19 AM   #32
Pete
Senior Member
 
Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,374
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

With a properly modified base plate and Ford 6 points from the 60's, the distributor will fire reliably to 6000 rpm for several years. They will be easy to adjust also.

THE CONDENSOR USED MUST MATCH THE COIL OR THE WHOLE SYSTEM WILL FAIL.
It is exactly the same as the tuner in a radio or TV, the system must be tuned to resonance to function properly.
Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2019, 11:16 AM   #33
California Travieso
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Moreno Valley, CA
Posts: 940
Send a message via Yahoo to California Travieso
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete View Post
With a properly modified base plate and Ford 6 points from the 60's, the distributor will fire reliably to 6000 rpm for several years. They will be easy to adjust also.

THE CONDENSOR USED MUST MATCH THE COIL OR THE WHOLE SYSTEM WILL FAIL.
It is exactly the same as the tuner in a radio or TV, the system must be tuned to resonance to function properly.
Pete,

You said "With a properly modified base plate . . ." Do you mean a modified "original" plate or a modified "modern" plate?

David Serrano
California Travieso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2019, 12:07 PM   #34
Pete
Senior Member
 
Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,374
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by California Travieso View Post
Pete,

You said "With a properly modified base plate . . ." Do you mean a modified "original" plate or a modified "modern" plate?

David Serrano
It can be done either way.
Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2019, 02:10 PM   #35
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Why would the 6 cylinder points be any better that the V-8 points of the same era, which is what they used to the "Modern Upper Plates"?
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2019, 02:23 PM   #36
Pete
Senior Member
 
Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,374
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth View Post
Why would the 6 cylinder points be any better that the V-8 points of the same era, which is what they used to the "Modern Upper Plates"?
Ask Joe Panek at Roto-Faze.
On second thought maybe we better not bother him.

His distributors were on winning cars at Indy several times.

Maybe the 6 cylinder ones were on sale the day he designed it.
Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2019, 10:10 AM   #37
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: What modern points do you use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth View Post
Why would the 6 cylinder points be any better that the V-8 points of the same era, which is what they used to the "Modern Upper Plates"?
One thing to note, the 6 cylinder distributor turns clockwise and the V8 distributor turns counter clockwise, so the respective point sets are opposites.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:03 AM.