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

[Aaron Cox]

pertronix = 70 bucks
compufire = the same
crane xr7000 = 100 ish (too much hassle)

buy a pertronix and keep spare points in your box if it dies....