Points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunroof · 12-20-2001, 07:24 AM

Okay Fellas, I know their have been numerous threads on the issue of points; however, I never did get a feeling or concensus on what to use as a reliable, sound replacement.

I have a 1973.5T and like many of you have had headaches over the damn points, wearing fiber blocks, bouncing tach, backfiring and the usual anxiety of waiting for the next problem.

I am now exploring the newer system(s) available to replace these ancient points and have read about and priced out many options.

Having read about problems with the "ignitor" and the failure and installation concerns (where those wires go!), I question reliability and real ease of installation.

The Allison Crane system looks to be the best to me, but I have not heard of many installations on this board.

I do not want to drag this subject thru the mud, but for those who have installed replacement systems can I get a feel for what has and has not been reliable for you so I can move on greater reliability of this system.

My glove box is becomming overwhelmed with extra points, feeler gauge, magnetic screwdrivers and lobe grease. I think I had enough!

Many thanks

Bob
73.5 T w/bosch dist.

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

Sorry, can't help. But, i do have th crane fireball coil on my 72 and it was easy to hook up and works great. Get the crane and tell us how it works so maybe we can do the same.

Paul W · Paul W's Garage

I have a Newtronic's optical unit in my car and can't speak highly enough of it. It was professionally installed about 4 years ago by the PO and in the 3 years I have owned the car it has been great. I can't remember my car ever backfiring, starting is always reliable and servicing costs down due to the fact that the timing is now set and forget. I have the original installation instructions and it looks remarkably simple.

Cheers

ffilips · 12-20-2001, 02:16 PM

I'll be installing an Ignitor unit this weekend. I can let you know just how easy it really is, as for reliability can't be any worse than points.

boyo · 12-20-2001, 02:46 PM

Yeah, except points cost $6 and the Ignitor costs $60... Better be 10 times as good!

-Boyo

Howard Nelson · 12-20-2001, 05:31 PM

I have points in my car - they were fairly easy to adjust, have maintained their adjustment, and have no running problems. I'm not trying to brag, but I'm starting to wonder - am I just lucky? Does anyone else still use his original ignition system without problems?

RoninLB · 12-20-2001, 05:34 PM

No problems in a 2.7 dizzy w/ 130,000 mi

SRT356/911 · 12-20-2001, 05:37 PM

I had an ignitor and it is up in the loft now. I do not remember the exact thing that went wrong, but it got too weird for me to stay with.
Replaced it with new points 3 years ago. Same ones there now. I just periodically check and reset the gap. Has not moved much. I also set the timing to TDC at idle and go down the road. The car gets run in TT events, on the street and the like. As the points are not pitting, I have no intent to change them soon.

Sunroof · 12-21-2001, 05:52 AM

Thanks guys.....

Critical decison time is coming...lots of options.

Regards

Bob

911pcars · 12-21-2001, 11:59 AM

I installed a Crane/Allison XR700 in my Bosch distributor 4 years ago and have not had to open/maintain it since nor adjust ignition timing. Indirectly, I'm also saving wear and tear for the next generation of preservationists as the cam lobes are now untouched by points. :-) Am now planning to install a HI-6S box to augment the breakerless setup.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

I installed a Pertronix Ignitor model 1863 (early style distributor) in my 72 last night and drove it 50 miles today. It works great!

I would highly recommend it as a replacement for stock points based on my experience thus far. The cam lobes on my dizzy were somewhat worn and this lets me basically forget about all those problems.

The installation was effortless with my MSD. Points out, ignitor in, make sure it's not rubbing anywhere, red wire to switched +12V (engine fuse block middle fuse), black wire to male spade to existing points wiring (MSD points pickup and tach). Set timing. Took me less than an hour and I even took the distributor out to give me more room to work.

Tach works great, no jumping at idle, throttle response is nice and strong from idle to > 5k.

I am using a rev limiting rotor and apparently it fits. I'll check it soon to make sure there isn't any rubbing of the rotor on the cap where it shouldn't be.

If I did a better job of hiding the wiring, you'd never know it was there.