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

[Matt Romanowski]

Most of the issue is the the contact material wearing. Every time the points open and close, there is a little bit of a spark. Multiply time running x rpms and you get the idea of what's happening. About a zillion little lightning stikes. Yes, the condensor controls most of this, but it still occurs. MSD helps too. As the gap changes, so does the dwell and timing. Dwell is not a big deal with the MSD.

Best bet is to change out the points for an electronic replacement in form of Pertronix, Crane, what ever else... A search will show many opinions on what's best. I've had good luck with Pertronixs in lots of vehicles until this year.

Matt