Difference between ignition points.

What is the difference between pierced ignition points and regular ones. What brand of points are the best -longest lasting- for my 430 lincoln motor. If the dwell is off and the points are set at factory specs can you change the gap to get the correct dwell?

 

Originally, the points with the hole in the point surface was to cool the contact points so they would last longer.

Back in the day there were some point sets that were better then others, these days I have to wonder how many real manufactures of point sets there really are. Doubt there is much differences now. Always replace the condenser with the points, find a set of points with the hole and a fiber rubbing block, and be sure to lube the rubbing block/cam lobe area. The better point sets used to have a screw to tighten the wires instead of reling on the spring pressure to make the electrical connection.

The dwell angle is an average from all cylinders. Often the dist cam lobes were less then perfect and varied in both the hight and location of the highest peak of each lobe. Could be several degrees of variation! Add in some shaft bushing wear, and the difference in each persons "feel" of the feeler guage slide, and the actual gap setting can and often was not real persise. Set your point gap with a cranking dwell reading (or the running reading if you have a GM 8 dist)
Gene

 

Be sure to use a new/very clean feeler gauge or you'll have the nasties on the point surface causing them to pit prematurely. Set with dwell per manufacturers specs with the "Dwell meter".

 

Also you can clean a new set of points by running a piece of clean paper through them after setting to get rid of any oily residue to help them last longer. Just use a lint less paper like a school ruled paper/yellow legal pad work ok. I always clean new points.....H

 

Yes. You are setting the dwell when you set the point gap. That was a nice feature of the "window cap" GM dizzy. You set the point gap from outside the dizzy with a dwell meter. No feeler gauges, no muss and no fuss.

 

and don't forget - adjusting the dwell changes the timing - so be sure to check and/or reset the timing after you have the dwell you want.

"...if I didn't have a dime, and I didn't have the time to play the jukebox..."

dj