New front mount distributor

[Skotyg]

Hi all
After many years of fighting mis-aligned points, stuck points and other frustrating incidents, I've decided to get a new front mount distributor. Can someone recommend a good one that has worked well?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bob]

There's simply NO reason to replace a good old American-made distributor with one from "The Land of Almost Right" because of "mis-aligned points, stuck points".

SERIOUSLY, do you think a $$$ unit from "The Land of Almost Right" is gonna be an improvement over what you have?

WHAT do you plan to do when the breaker points from "The Land of Almost Right" need attention prematurely, buy another distributor from "The Land of Almost Right"?

Get your itchy twitchy paws off of your credit card and tell us exactly what you've got going on, complete with a couple of photos, and we'll walk you through it.

 

[Skotyg]

Well, I don't have any pics at the moment, but the problems I have are the mis-aligned points. I buy what I think are quality points from NAPA. As I adjust them and then very carefully tighten them they don't align and then the gap is off. I also bought the timing jig but they won't begin to open before reaching the end of the timing slot. The post the points pivot on frequently rusts thus the points stick and I have to start over. I have bought at least two of the crap plates that the points screw to, but one didn't fit at all and the other wouldn't allow the distributor to even rotate. I've tried to follow all the instructions to a t but am done with the constant problems.

 

[Bob]

"but am done with the constant problems"


Let us know how that works out for you!

 

[Skotyg]

OK well thanks for that help Bob. Sorry my post seemed to bring out your best. Maybe your tractor runs perfect all the time and you didn't need any help from others. Ive tried for years to get this to work properly and finally reach out for help and this is what I get? Why are you even on here? To make people feel bad for asking for help?

 

[Bob]

"Skotyg"

You don't realize it, but I tried to help you.

I wish you were my neighbor, I'd love to help you get your tractor running, and there wouldn't be a new distributor from "The Land of Almost Right" involved.

But since you are determined to buy a new distributor, and don't want to listen to sage advice, it's unlikely that any of us crusty old "GURUS" that hang around this place can help you.

 

[Skotyg]

Exactly where did you try to help? Did I miss a post? you asked for pics and a description of the problems. I clearly stated I had no pics and then posted my problems in detail. You took my last statement, somehow, as I was hellbent on buying a new distributor. My comment was meant as I am done with the problems and want to get it fixed. Obviously I don't want to spend money I don't need to spend. You were no help at all except for your "let us know how that works out for you" Why do you think I posted the detail of the problems??? Hopefully someone that really does want to help will give me some advice on where to turn next. Old gurus with sage advice are no good if they are not willing to share. If your purpose was to frustrate me further, then you succeeded. Congratulations! I say again, why would I post in detail my problems if I was only wanting a new distributor and no help.

 

[Steve A W]

I bought a rebuilt dist. from nnalert's for my 9N.
I installed it and it fired right off. I've only ran
a carborators worth of gas through it so far.
Here's a link to my post where I asked the same question
you did.

Steve A W
New dist.?

 

[Skotyg]

Thank you Steve! I appreciate the help!

 

[Dollar Bill]

I ask this at the risk of getting flame sprayed but have you considered electronic ignition?

 

[Bruce (VA)]

" I buy what I think are quality points from NAPA."

So, you buy the same points from the same place and have the same problems with them every time...?.and you blame the distributor?

Try a different vendor. You can get Bluestreaks here or from Amazon.
75 Tips

 

[flembo]

Hi Skotyg I don't believe your problem is the distributor but the points instead, but that said you should check the dist. shaft for side play to be
sure the bushings are ok and if not replace the bushings. There has been much discussion about the poor quality of points lately and the fact you can't
get the .015 gap without filing and elongating the slotted hole to add clearance for the screw and then tweaking the alignment. I bought points that I
couldn't get the .015 gap even after filing and tweeking so I went and found an old set of points in my stash cleaned them up and was able to get a .030
gap with no problem. So my suggestion is try Blue Streak points but don't buy a kit just the points I don't know if that matters but I Bought a kit that
claimed it contained Blue Streak points but I am not sure they were and they didn't work. I guess we'll just have to buy good quality points and hope
for the best and file and tweak as needed. I hope this helps.

 

[Skotyg]

(quoted from post at 04:25:39 06/10/18) " I buy what I think are quality points from NAPA."

So, you buy the same points from the same place and have the same problems with them every time...?.and you blame the distributor?

Try a different vendor. You can get Bluestreaks here or from Amazon.
75 Tips

Yes Bruce, I guess Im just really stupid! Thanks

 

[Skotyg]

I have but had read they didn't work well. Whats your experience with them?

 

[TomD]

I with Dollar Bill on this one..
I just went Electronic Ignition on my front mount 8n and added the side mount round coil mod, and while its only been a few days the install is working like a champ. I've only put about 4 or 5 hours on it in 2 days since I made the change but it hasn't missed a beat ..

 

[Dollar Bill]

I have but had read they didn't work well. Whats your experience with them?

I maintain 15-20 engines that power everything from a 1931 Model A Roadster to lawn & garden equipment. All of them have electronic ignition except three tractors and to date have never had a problem with EI. Once my NOS of ignition parts have depleted, I will convert the tractors as well.

The majority of problems associated with EI are self-inflicted: Weak 6-volt battery, poor grounds and leaving the key on.

I'm not trying to talk you into a conversion just providing another possible solution to ill fitting points.

 

[Bob]

(quoted from post at 01:57:53 06/11/18)

I have but had read they didn't work well. Whats your experience with them?

I maintain 15-20 engines that power everything from a 1931 Model A Roadster to lawn & garden equipment. All of them have electronic ignition except three tractors and to date have never had a problem with EI. Once my NOS of ignition parts have depleted, I will convert the tractors as well.

The majority of problems associated with EI are self-inflicted: Weak 6-volt battery, poor grounds and leaving the key on.

I'm not trying to talk you into a conversion just providing another possible solution to ill fitting points.

"The majority of problems associated with EI are self-inflicted"

The majority of problems with breaker points are self-inflicted, as well.

I have some EI stuff, but still a handful of breaker points stuff, and points life is a dozen years and beyond.

Dunno what some of you guys do to muck em up.

 

[Dollar Bill]

The majority of problems with breaker points are self-inflicted, as well.

I dunno Bob, I've read a lot of posts regarding points that won't fit.

[b:d5774919c5][i:d5774919c5]Dunno what some of you guys do to muck em up.[/i:d5774919c5][/b:d5774919c5] Pretty sure fitment issues are caused by the manufacturer...

 

[flembo]

Your not stupid there are several folks on this sight that come off rough like that, you just hit on sensitive a topic.

 

[TomD]

(quoted from post at 18:42:34 06/10/18) I have but had read they didn't work well. Whats your experience with them?

Don't know if you are aware but PERTRONIX makes literally hundreds of different EI's for all kinds of applications. I would think they have hundreds of thousands working units out on the street. Like most other things you will mainly see the complaints about the ones that didn't work. People that use stuff with no problems are much less likely to post their experience on line.
This end user youTube video shows how easy the conversion is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITEJt85T3rk

Might not be the cheapest modification to do but if mine continues to work like it is now I'm very happy.
.

 

[SteveB(OH)]

Here's another vote for 12v EI. As an added benefit if you convert you will get a new front bushing.

I converted mine last winter and I couldn't be happier. I will be especially happy next spring when I don't have to think about cleaning and gapping the non-existent points

Sometimes when I was out cutting the fields I used to think about the wearing rubbing block, the wearing pivot pin, and the degrading contact points.

Now I think about the plastic ring with magnets rotating by the pickup module with no physical contact. Ahhh, so simple...

I ran 6V points for 17 years. I know it works, and I understand why people want to keep things original. I could have run points for the rest of my life w/o any problems.

Neither option is right or wrong. Make your choice and enjoy it !!

 

[oldsarge]

Now you sound like Dell....................................................gtm

 

[hunkydory]

(quoted from post at 05:05:24 06/11/18) This end user youTube video shows how easy the conversion is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITEJt85T3rk.

That was very helpful. Thank you.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Front mounts are in a league of there own a real P.O.S.

1) they are old at least 70 years old more than likely worn slap arse out.

2) quality parts are just not available are new quality replacement distributors

3) I don't care how much hair you have on your chest are how many years you brag about your mechanical experience are how many tips you can copy and paste a front mount will whoop your arse...

They are not user friendly they are much like a updraft carburetor you can not see the event.

I guess Bob don't get a nut off writing a book on all the possibility's... I don't either you are the one working on it with out good diagnostic information are some good pix I will leave it up to those that get a nut off posting much of nuttin in a book that will keep you busy chasing your tail...

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 21:56:42 06/14/18)
Front mounts are in a league of there own a real P.O.S.

1) they are old at least 70 years old more than likely worn slap arse out.

2) quality parts are just not available are new quality replacement distributors

3) I don't care how much hair you have on your chest are how many years you brag about your mechanical experience are how many tips you can copy and paste a front mount will whoop your arse...

They are not user friendly they are much like a updraft carburetor you can not see the event.

I guess Bob don't get a nut off writing a book on all the possibility's... I don't either you are the one working on it with out good diagnostic information are some good pix I will leave it up to those that get a nut off posting much of nuttin in a book that will keep you busy chasing your tail...

obo, most parts replacers expect to examine nothing, buy a part and expect it to drop in like with Legos. There are a few of us that look closely, and even if given the sorriest POS misfit points on Earth, could file,bend, etc. until they work just fine. Just cost time & money.