Bruce (VA)
Well-known Member
This is an addendum to my post of Jan 4th ( http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1339956&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30 ) regarding the problems many folks have reported with frontmount points. I plan on following up on that post later w/ some more specific information, but I thought it would be helpful to provide a separate post regarding my findings regarding points quality.
CONCLUSIONS: Yes, even Echlin (NAPA) makes both junk & decent points. One set opened to .032, but the other set only opened to .006. Bluestreak points ordered off of Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPO3EW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ($11.99) had a maximum air gap of .049 on my in-spec distributor. Airtex opened also .049. The Airtex points came w/ a brass washer, cotter key & had a pivot arm bushing, the Bluestreaks did not. The point contact area was larger on the Bluestreaks (.185) compared to the Airtex at .155.
RECOMMENDATION: (as of January, 2018!) Use either Airtex or Bluestreak points.
BACKGROUND:
I looked at 5 sets of points:
NAPA CS35, bought OTC here in VA last week (NAPA #1)
NAPA CS35, loaned to me by John Ruddel (NAPA #2)
NOS FoMoCo points, loaned to me by John Ruddel (FoMoCo)
Airtex points, source unknown (Airtex)
Bluestreak points, purchased from Amazon.com last week (Bluestreak)
The critical test was the max air gap the points opened.
NAPA 1: .032
NAPA 2: .006
NOS FoMoCo: .062
Airtex: .049
Bluestreak: .049
Contact point thickness
(sum of the 2 sides)
NAPA 1: .145
NAPA 2: .194
NOS FoMoCo: .130
Airtex: .148
Bluestreak: .129
Contact diameter, vented or not vented:
NAPA 1: .185 not vented
NAPA 2: .155 vented
NOS FoMoCo: .185 vented
Airtex: .155 not vented
Bluestreak: .185 not vented
75 Tips
CONCLUSIONS: Yes, even Echlin (NAPA) makes both junk & decent points. One set opened to .032, but the other set only opened to .006. Bluestreak points ordered off of Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPO3EW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ($11.99) had a maximum air gap of .049 on my in-spec distributor. Airtex opened also .049. The Airtex points came w/ a brass washer, cotter key & had a pivot arm bushing, the Bluestreaks did not. The point contact area was larger on the Bluestreaks (.185) compared to the Airtex at .155.
RECOMMENDATION: (as of January, 2018!) Use either Airtex or Bluestreak points.
BACKGROUND:
I looked at 5 sets of points:
NAPA CS35, bought OTC here in VA last week (NAPA #1)
NAPA CS35, loaned to me by John Ruddel (NAPA #2)
NOS FoMoCo points, loaned to me by John Ruddel (FoMoCo)
Airtex points, source unknown (Airtex)
Bluestreak points, purchased from Amazon.com last week (Bluestreak)
The critical test was the max air gap the points opened.
NAPA 1: .032
NAPA 2: .006
NOS FoMoCo: .062
Airtex: .049
Bluestreak: .049
Contact point thickness
(sum of the 2 sides)
NAPA 1: .145
NAPA 2: .194
NOS FoMoCo: .130
Airtex: .148
Bluestreak: .129
Contact diameter, vented or not vented:
NAPA 1: .185 not vented
NAPA 2: .155 vented
NOS FoMoCo: .185 vented
Airtex: .155 not vented
Bluestreak: .185 not vented
75 Tips