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How many are still using points vs. electronic?

Started by Charger_Fan, January 12, 2006, 02:37:55 PM

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The "engine pic" thread got me thinking. How many of you restored guys are still using points if your car came with them originally?

Yep, I use points & like them
9 (16.7%)
Yes, I use points, but don't like them
3 (5.6%)
No, I swapped mine to electronic ignition
37 (68.5%)
I don't get the point. :D
5 (9.3%)

Total Members Voted: 54

Charger_Fan

 Mine's still stock, with points.
When it was driven frequently, I don't recall ever having problems with it & it never left me walking. But for a performance additive, I will probably swap to some version of electronic ignition when I finish my car.

The Aquamax...yes, this bike spent 2 nights underwater one weekend. (Not my doing), but it gained the name, and has since become pseudo-famous. :)

hemigeno

With multiple carburetion, I have enough problems with fouling plugs out.  The last thing I need is something else to worry about in trying to keep a Hemi in tune.  I've limited my other modifications to the engine compartment, so I could "get away" with electronic ignition at the shows.

:Twocents:

Old Moparz

I was sick & tired of changing & setting them on several cars I've owned ages ago. I bought the electronic ignition conversion kit for my Satellite when I had some play in the distributor & needed to replace it anyway. I've since put it in 2 other cars, & will do it again on the Charger when the time comes. Even if I had a nice survivor that was all original, I'd put the points set up in a box & swap it anyway.
               Bob               



              Going Nowhere In A Hurry

last426

Quote from: hemigeno on January 12, 2006, 02:52:44 PM
With multiple carburetion, I have enough problems with fouling plugs out.  The last thing I need is something else to worry about in trying to keep a Hemi in tune.  I've limited my other modifications to the engine compartment, so I could "get away" with electronic ignition at the shows.

If you go with Pertronix (about 60 bucks) the only thing you have to hide is an extra wire going into the distributor.  And it's easy to get a steady 12v from the second field on the alternator -- at least in 71.  Man that thing is better than trying to set dual points -- never really could do that very well.  Kim

BigBlackDodge

Converted years ago...........don't miss messing around with the tiny screws and setting the dwell at all! :icon_smile_cool:

Convert now! Repent! The end is near at hand! :o


BBD

ChargerRob

Mighty Mean Mexican Mopar

69_500

I'm still running points in my 500, and I put about 3,500 miles on the car a year.

Judhudson

Are points distributors the one that doesn't hook up with that wire that goes to the distributor?  I think I have a 5 Points distributor in my car, and its going to be changed next week to this one:  http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=A1C&mfrpartnumber=303897&parttype=218&ptset=A

Is this a better one then what I have in my car?  I'm assuming so...

last426

Quote from: Judhudson on January 12, 2006, 04:07:05 PM
Are points distributors the one that doesn't hook up with that wire that goes to the distributor?  I think I have a 5 Points distributor in my car, and its going to be changed next week to this one:  http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=A1C&mfrpartnumber=303897&parttype=218&ptset=A
Is this a better one then what I have in my car?  I'm assuming so...

I might be mistaken but I think your car came with an electronic ignition, after 72.  If so, I would bet that if it is not working some components could be swapped out.  The reason to change the whole thing (for me at least) is if the bushings have worn and there is play on the shaft.  The one that you linked to seems to have some sort of inductor that spins with the engine.  You can look and see the 8 pointed star burst looking thing on the shaft.  On a mechanical point ignition each (designed slightly differently) of those would shove a set of points open and fire the spark.  On a dual mechanical point they would push two sets of points more or less at the same time to fire the plug,  Kim.

472 R/T SE

Quote from: hemigeno on January 12, 2006, 02:52:44 PM
With multiple carburetion, I have enough problems with fouling plugs out.  The last thing I need is something else to worry about in trying to keep a Hemi in tune.  I've limited my other modifications to the engine compartment, so I could "get away" with electronic ignition at the shows.

:Twocents:


Which is exactly why I kept the MSD box the purple car had, with the six pack this summer.  The car always fired right away and it never had any problems fouling plugs or anything else.  The box is mounted on front side of rad. support which will be changed to under the battery tray out of site for the Hemi. 
The Hemi's getting a new MSD box, the other one wasn't a 6AL and I need a rev limiter with my eratic feet.  MSD makes the box in a black color with the Mopar insignia on it, which is pretty cool.  I didn't see them doing it for Ferd or Chubbee.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MSD-MOPAR-6AL-IGNITION-NEW-IN-THE-BOX-HEMI-CHRYSLER_W0QQitemZ8028255175QQcategoryZ33691QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm a firm believer in running the MSD.  I've never run the orange box and can't stand seeing them mounted on the firewall, that's me tho.



AllBlue run on points.  I'd occasionally take emery cloth to them or just change them out.  Not because they left me stranded, just because it made me feel better.  My Chally is points too and I'm leaving it that way.


nh_mopar_fan

I'm still running points. I might put on 1000 miles a summer.

Charger_Fan

Quote from: AllBlueRT on January 12, 2006, 04:27:46 PM
  MSD makes the box in a black color with the Mopar insignia on it, which is pretty cool.  I didn't see them doing it for Ferd or Chubbee.

Hey, that's pretty cool!

Quote from: ChargerRob on January 12, 2006, 03:47:27 PM
:iagree: with BBD
About the tiny screws & stuff...or the repenting thing? :icon_smile_big:

The Aquamax...yes, this bike spent 2 nights underwater one weekend. (Not my doing), but it gained the name, and has since become pseudo-famous. :)

6pkrunner

While initially I loved to set the dual point in the Coronet, it got tiresome sfter a while. Whewn the electronics came on the scene, it was an install, set, and pretty much forget it. Can't do better than that. Unless you've been weaned on British sportscars where one hour causes 14 hours maintainance. ;D
Ever Mopar I have had since mid 70s I have converted to electronic.

dd44068

Changed mine to electronic ignition as soon as i got it, as for the rest it is still stock.

Ghoste


Charger_Fan

Thanks for the votes guys, that's pretty much how I figured it would go...even the two (so far) smart azz answers. :D

Geez, before many more years go by, there will be practically nobody who will know how to set a pair of points anymore. :icon_smile_tongue:

The Aquamax...yes, this bike spent 2 nights underwater one weekend. (Not my doing), but it gained the name, and has since become pseudo-famous. :)

Ghoste

Or curve a distributor or tune a carb or many other things.

Telvis

Fiddling with the points is no fun. I'm too lazy to keep them.

Charger_Fan

Quote from: Ghoste on January 13, 2006, 02:04:29 PM
Or curve a distributor or tune a carb or many other things.
Yep, it'll all be a lost art...right in there like chiseling a carriage wheel from granite.  :icon_smile_big:

The Aquamax...yes, this bike spent 2 nights underwater one weekend. (Not my doing), but it gained the name, and has since become pseudo-famous. :)

Ghoste

Well, when there are people paying way too much for Roman carriages on Barrett-Jackson or harness racing starts classes which still run on granite wheels, that'll be a good analogy.  ;)
Just kidding.  I get your point completely but I think there are more people driving our antique technology at the moment than there are capable of dealing with it compared to 30 years ago.  The time will come when carbs will largely vanish and even antique cars will mostly run on efi and coil on plug ignition, but we're not there yet.
Hell, look at the problems I'm having getting my car properly tuned up and I've been playing with them for 30 years.

Charger_Fan

I agree. These days, lots of guys just "want the car" without researching what they're getting themselves into first. I had one of those cases pop up here locally about 2 weeks ago. It's a continuation of past threads where we've said that this generation is spoiled in a way...today's cars are much less obstinate & don't need near the same amount of attention that older ones once did.

Actually, I'm guilty of that in a way too...for example, I've forgotten a lot about carburetor tuning that I once knew. :crazy: But it would be pretty easy knowledge for me to reacquire, I'm sure.

The Aquamax...yes, this bike spent 2 nights underwater one weekend. (Not my doing), but it gained the name, and has since become pseudo-famous. :)

sixpack70

I'm switching all of my cars to a pertronix style. I want the stock look but the reliability of the electronic setup. I do want to learn how to recurve my distributor as I plan on keeping that stuff stock. I will also keep the carb as I love how easy it it to crack the throttle, hear that aircraft size sucking sound from 3 carbs. I love that part!
1966 Falcon
1969 Mustang Mach 1
1970 Charger R/T 440+6 4spd

69_500

I'll tell you what, but tuning a carb is already a rare comodity around these parts. I'm not a great mechanic by any means, but I do all the work on my 500 myself. If I screw something up, so be it, I'll learn, and correct it. I don't want to rely on someone else to tune it up, because some time in the future there won't be someone else to do it, and it will be up to me. I'd love to learn how to recurve a distributor as well. For now I'll keep pecking away at it. Best way to learn, it trial and error.