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Removing & Replacing Your Ignition Points & Condenser

Your points and condenser should always be replaced as a set to ensure they function properly for the next 12,000 miles. It's impossible to just look at a condenser and see if it's good or not, so be sure to replace this since once it burns out, you'll be stranded.

TOOLS REQUIRED:

1 - Straight-tip screw driver.

1 - Set of feeler gauges.

PARTS REQUIRED:

1 - Point set.

1 - Point condenser.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Remove distributor cap and rotor from distributor body. Position cap out of the way.

2. Disconnect the electrical spade connectors for both the points (inside the distributor) as well as the condenser on the negative ("-" OR "1") side of the coil ( this is the GREEN wire).

3. Use your screw driver to unscrew the set screw for the points being careful to NOT drop the screw down into the distributor body. Now remove the old points.

NOTE - If the points look to be still serviceable I would suggest cleaning up the contact surfaces with a jewelers file and save them for a spare set for your road-side emergency kit. You have an emergency kit don't you??

4. Remove the set screw on the side of the distributor that holds the condenser in place and remove the condenser. Depending on which distributor you have, this may be the same screw that holds on the cap clip. Be careful not to drop this into the engine compartment; loosing it forever.

NOTE - I would also mark this condenser as "GOOD" with some masking tape and add it to your road side emergency kit if you don't already have a spare in it.

5. Now insert the NEW condenser into place and replace the set screw.

6. Prior to installing the points you must ensure that the plastic friction post that rides on the distributor shaft cam lobes is properly lubricated with the special grease supplied with your new points. This grease is in a small capsule which looks like a medicine pill. Simply remove one end by sliding the ends apart and squeezing the grease onto the FORWARD side of the plastic part (the side CLOSEST to the contact points). Be sure NOT to get this grease into the contact area as this will cause arching and mis-firing of your ignition.

7. Position the points into place (making sure the pivot post fits into the recess in the mount plate). Replace the set screw and snug it so that it just begins to squeeze the points down to the mounting but is NOT tight.

8. Hand turn the engine so that the points are in the OPEN position (the point contact surfaces should have a small gap and the friction post should be in the center of the distributor shaft cam lobe).

9. Check the gap with your feeler gauges. The correct gap is between .016" - .020" (0.40mm - 0.50mm). If the gap is too small OR too large, you will need to adjust this gap by using your screw driver to pry open or close the points. It only takes a small bit of movement to change the gap, so you will need to re-check the gap each time until you get it just right.

10. Once the proper gap is set, tighten the set screw and again re-check the gap to ensure it didn't move while tightening the screw.

11. Reconnect the spade connector from the points to the condenser as well as the condenser to the negative ("-" OR "1") side of the coil (the GREEN wire).

12. Replace the rotor and reposition the cap on the distributor body and clip the retaining clips in place.

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