Classic/Antique Car Repair: points, lacquer thinner, rotor shaft

Question
hi dick,could you tell me the procedure to installing points on a 1950 235 chevy stocker?  thanks god bless

Answer
OK:....you need 3 tools:  A flat blade screwdriver, an 0.017" feeler gauge and a tiny wrench -  probably a 5/16 open end wrench, but some point sets have a slightly larger (11/32) or even a 3/8 nut holding the wires to the points.  It is a good idea to use a magnetized screwdriver, because the tiny screws can drop down through holes in the breaker plate, and if that happens, you may have to take the distributor apart to retrieve the screws.  A screw holding screwdriver can also be used for this - just DON'T DROP any tiny parts!

You should change both the points and condenser as a set - don't change one without the other, because if there is a problem with the points, the chances are very high that the cause of that problem is a failing condenser.

When you are working with these parts, be very careful not to touch the contact surfaces of the point set - even briefly touching either contact will contaminate it. If this happens, get a piece of tissue or the like and wet it with rubbing alcohol or lacquer thinner, and wipe the contact faces clean and dry.

Now: Unscrew the slot screw that holds the fixed part of the points down to the breaker plate, and also take out the screw that holds the condenser to the plate.  Undo the tiny nut that holds the wires to the points - one wire comes from the side terminal of the distributor, one wire comes from the condenser, and these plus the connection to the points are all on the one threaded stud that sticks out with the tiny nut on it, from the points.  Pay attention to how the wires are arranged, and duplicate it with the new parts.  When you have the new parts installed and connected, leave the points hold down screw very slightly loose, and rotate the engine slowly (by pulling on the fan belt) until the fiber rubbing block of the points is exactly on one of the 6 peaks of the rotor shaft cam. Stop at that point and nudge the fixed side of the point set so as to adjust the opening gap to 0.017 inches, as measured with the feeler gauge.  Lock the screw down at this time and double check the adjustment - it is important!

Last, take a small amount of grease from the capsule that comes with the new points, and with your finger, rub the grease on the rotor shaft cam surface - just a little is all you need, and only on one area - the rubbing block on the points will spread it around.

That's it!

Dick