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Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 08:47 AM

In just getting everything together and excited to finally after a few long years start up my teener I managed to hook up the points to the + side a melt the points wire. I’m replacing the condenser and points is it likely I messed up the coil too. Was just going to replace points condenser first then go from there. Should I be looking for other things also? Thanks in advance for any and all guidance here as I’m not an expert car guy.

Posted by: cuddy_k Aug 4 2019, 11:20 AM

I’d consider swapping the points for a pertronix ignitor II unit. I know this sparks debate (pun intended), but electronic modules help the car start faster and idle better. Plus they never need adjusting like points. Less maintenance is always nice. Especially if you don’t wrench a lot...

Posted by: Superhawk996 Aug 4 2019, 01:53 PM

Wont hurt to replace the condensor but a condensor is really just a capacitor.

Capacitors cannot flow DC current.

It is only there to absorb, instantaneous (transient) voltage spikes that are created as the points open and close. It helps avoid arc burning of the points.

So although you had enough DC current flow to melt the wire to the points (because they were closed to ground when you connected to DC +), the condensor (again - just a capacitor) didn't flow that same current.

I know you'll feel better replacing it but thought it might help ease your mind if you don't have one handy.

Coil itself should be fine. Again, it wasn't part of the circuit that got shorted to ground. In fact, the coil really is momentarily shorted to ground as the points open and close. That is it's normal mode of operation. However, since you put the points on the + terminal, there was no current flow though the coil windings.



FYI -- 1st check that the fuse that feeds 12v to the coil is the proper sized fuse. If is the proper OEM size, you likely didn't hurt the wiring for which the fuse was sized.

My car is in pieces, but, as I recall the points wire is smaller gauge wire than the 12V+ feed so the points wire likely was the "fuse".

I wouldn't hurt to check at least look as far "upstream" from the coil + as you can easily see to make sure there was no melting going on in the 12V+ coil feed. Wiring Diagram is your friend for the details.

Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 02:00 PM

Great thank you, how about damage to the coil?

Posted by: Superhawk996 Aug 4 2019, 02:15 PM

See above - I was editing on the fly as you posted

Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 06:40 PM

Thanks a bunch checked what you said and everything is good!!!

Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 08:05 PM

Besides the carb (PO) is my firing order wrong somehow on my distributor? TDC on #1 on compression stroke points at #1 plug wire. I have fuel and compression, shot some fogging oil in each hole cause I haven’t started the engine for a few years. 12volt at coil points and condenser are new And gaped. But haven’t looked yet to see if I have hot spark, I will tomorrow. I only get a muddering Light backfiring.

Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 08:07 PM

Posted by: ClayPerrine Aug 4 2019, 08:56 PM

Your plug wires are wrong, or the distributor drive in the case is in wrong. Right front distributor tower connects to right front plug. Right rear distributor tower goes to right rear plug. Left front distributor tower goes to left REAR plug. Left rear distributor tower goes to left FRONT plug.


Clay

Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 09:07 PM

Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 09:15 PM

Posted by: shane Aug 4 2019, 09:16 PM

Crap!!! forgot to mention it’s not a stock distributor