Failed nos ignition points

[Rustyrodknocker]

Much time wasted today and only discovered the problem after I ran out of daylight so I will continue in a week..

But to the point, I bought a set of NOS points Chrysler brand. New cap and rotor. No spark.
A bunch of back and forth and swaping on the old cap and rotor. Finally removed the new points. While holding the points open I had no continuity between the terminal and the contact. I traced continuity down the points arm, but nothing on the face of the contact. I cleaned the contact face with scotchbrite and now I have continuity.

 

[Davea Lux]

They probably corroded from sitting. This is pretty common on vintage parts.

Dave

 

[Toolmanmike]

A fingernail file works well.

 

[halifaxhops]

They probably corroded from sitting. This is pretty common on vintage parts.

Dave

Yes and also oil from the factory.

 

[Gerald Morris]

A fingernail file works well.

Go lightly with those, but yes. A points file does better, IFF one can get one. I've 3. Treasures! Fine emery board does well too.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Go lightly with those, but yes. A points file does better, IFF one can get one. I've 3. Treasures! Fine emery board does well too.

I went with red scotchbrite that had been used for wet sanding and was impregnated with some fine media that was formerly paint on a camaro.

 

[fullsized]

FYI: I worked at restoring pinball machines and jukeboxes for ten years. They have MANY relays and stacked contact switches like the points in the cars. Never use a file/point file/sandpaper/emery paper. It Will remove the thin plated metal on the points. Use only a "burnishing" tool with 100% alcohol. if you can't find the tool a heavy brown paper strip (like old bags) soaked in alcohol will work. Yes in a roadside fix a file will help but no for long, the points will burn up fast once it gets down to the base metal. Check out jukebox online repo parts-they sell them.

 

[Toolmanmike]

FYI: I worked at restoring pinball machines and jukeboxes for ten years. They have MANY relays and stacked contact switches like the points in the cars. Never use a file/point file/sandpaper/emery paper. It Will remove the thin plated metal on the points. Use only a "burnishing" tool with 100% alcohol. if you can't find the tool a heavy brown paper strip (like old bags) soaked in alcohol will work. Yes in a roadside fix a file will help but no for long, the points will burn up fast once it gets down to the base metal. Check out jukebox online repo parts-they sell them.

Never heard of that but it makes sense.

 

[carguy300]

Learned that myself working on old school lawn mowers with points!