Replacing Points

[Kilgore47]

The P15 stopped running.  Knew it was the points - the last time I fooled with the points I just filed them and put them back.  I had used too much grease on the distributor cam and fouled them.  So I pulled out the new set that I got from one of our main suppliers and looked close at them.  There was no way I was going to use that cheep off shore junk.  So I went to one of the local auto supply stores.  They had, on the shelf a set of points that were made in Mexico.  They looked really good.  Infinitely better that the junk points I had.  The made in Mexico points are installed and working great.  So I ordered another set to keep on hand. Guess I'll keep the junky set for an emergency but I'll file the old set first to get the car running.  

[Plymouthy Adams]

back in the days of yore good set of points were the norm.  Today the breaker cam has gone from the tried and true long last phenolic rubbing block to that of plastic, given the condenser does not fail first, for sure the rubbing block will go in short order.  The two-part construction of some brands have confused a few owners who left the second tension spring off the contactor and ended up with point bounce.  Sign of the times, cost of living going up, chance of living going down.

[Bryan G]

I like to buy NOS points off eBay; it can sometimes take a bit of work to make sure you're getting the right part number for your application.

[Kilgore47]

The spare set of "Made In Mexico" points that I ordered came in.  It appears that they do have the phenolic material for the rubbing block.  The pivot point does have a plastic isolator but it is snug.  Time will tell if that holds up.  The junk set of points I got had a plastic rubbing block and the pivot point was really sloppy.

[greg g]

How do the springs feel? Do they have similar feel rebound wise?

[Kilgore47]

The spring feels good.  I was surprised at how strong it is.  The spring is a separate part.  I put it together for the picture.  I remember the first time I got a set of points with the separate spring when I was a teenager.  Took a while for my young mind to figure that one out.