Why do points fail?, and how to prevent it? Options

[dion9146]

I posted this story on another thread earlier, but I wanted to ask the broader question - why do points fail and how does one prevent that failure?

I have a 2.0 6 cylinder with MSD ignition, MSD Blaster2 coil and stock points. She has been running great since my engine rebuild, but over the weekend I had a problem. Driving along ripping corners in the country on a nice pre-fall day, and all of a sudden she starts running rough. So, I pointed it toward home and put the pedal down. About a mile out, she gave up and died.

After I got my Father to flat tow me home, I started on the MSD diagnostic procedure. I check everything including replacing the coil, and nothing works. I get to the point where MSD recommends pulling the system out and sending it to them for further analysis....that's when I decided to check the points. A couple of passes with the emory cloth, and she cranked right up.

The points are about 5 years old. They have 3 track events, two autocrosses and about 1000 road miles on them, both pre and post rebuild with about 3 years of sitting idle.

So, does my current system contribute to a shorter life span? Hard driving? Sitting for any period of time? Condensor bad?

I just don't want to get in the habit of replacing points every year just because. Any preventive maintenance I can do will be good.

Dion

[Bruce Allert]

Points fail due to friction and heat along with leaving the key on!. Friction, coming from the dizzy shaft rubbing against the fiber block that's on the points arm. Yes, there is grease on there but if you don't change them in 5 years the grease will probably disipate leaving a bare block against metal that's revolving quite fast. Wear makes the block shorter thus changing dwell and (I think) changing timing (correct me if I'm wrong please). As the block gets shorter the points close or get closer to the point of having no gap and eventually shorting out.

Put in a set of Pertronics electronic ignition. They work great. I think there is another form of elec. ignition out there too but at a more expensive rate.

good luck.......

......b