Running a Little Rough

[Chevelle_Nut]

I took the Bronze 72 for a ride yesterday, it felt good to just roll the window down and cruise.

When I pulled her back into the garage I noticed she was running a slight bit rough, nothing I noticed while driving, just not a smooth idle. I hooked a vacuum gauge up and it is fluctuating just a bit. It has been very humid and hot, the car hasn't been driven so I think the points may have corrosion. I haven't pulled the cap off but was thinking I would pick up a set. I about fell over when I saw this:



And no, I am not converting this car to HEI, installing an LS, converting to fuel injection or changing to a 4BBL or any thing else. It is staying a stock 72 with skinny tires and hub caps.

I am going to pull the points out and clean them. I may have a set in my parts inventory. Probably will buy a NOS set on EBAY.

 

[kmakar]

Damn they got expensive.....

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Damn they got expensive.....

I am thinking I will go to the auto parts store near me that is stuck in the 70's, I know he will have them.

 

[77cruiser]

I remember when you could buy those at Pamida for $5.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Pertronix is pretty cheap

 

[kmakar]

I remember when you could buy those at Pamida for $5.

I remember when I could get a cap, rotor, and points for $15....

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Pertronix is pretty cheap

View attachment 40330

I think I said in my post NO MODIFICATIONS are being done to this car. It will remain a points system.

 

[cheveslakr]

Summit is a bit cheaper, and you can likely just use these part numbers and shop amazon to save a buck.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I am going to see if I can clean the points first, I bet there is corrosion on the pads.

I am trying not to use Amazon, greedy ass company.

 

[77cruiser]

Do you set them by dwell or gap?

 

[kmakar]

I gap, then dwell....

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

They give you a little window in the distributor cap to use a hex head Allen wrench to fine tune the dwell.

 

[kmakar]

They give you a little window in the distributor cap to use a hex head Allen wrench to fine tune the dwell.

I have a flex screwdriver with different ends, and I use that.... easy to lock in, start the car with the dwell attached already, and a simple turn of the flex screwdriver, rev a few times to make sure it's good, then shut it down, pull the screwdriver, close the door, and it's done.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I have a flex screwdriver with different ends, and I use that.... easy to lock in, start the car with the dwell attached already, and a simple turn of the flex screwdriver, rev a few times to make sure it's good, then shut it down, pull the screwdriver, close the door, and it's done.

You must have learned the same "shocking" lesson about the driver in the hex head.

 

[kmakar]

You must have learned the same "shocking" lesson about the driver in the hex head.

Yep. Insulated screwdriver.

 

[Nashville Cat]

I think I said in my post NO MODIFICATIONS are being done to this car. It will remain a points system.

You're "modifying" your points by cleaning them
I remember how much fun setting points in a Chevy can be ;
especially with the distributor at the center back of the engine compartment. LOL

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

You're "modifying" your points by cleaning them
I remember how much fun setting points in a Chevy can be ;
especially with the distributor at the center back of the engine compartment. LOL

I changed tires too. Old bias belts are long gone.

 

[DJ’s Garage]

I think I said in my post NO MODIFICATIONS are being done to this car. It will remain a points system.

I can call my parts house and get you my discount price if you want me too. I’ll deliver 1/2 way. lol
I do keep an entire new points ignition system here with a spare set of points in case I wanted to go back to factory. Complete new distributor loaded and coils.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I can call my parts house and get you my discount price if you want me too. I’ll deliver 1/2 way. lol
I do keep an entire new points ignition system here with a spare set of points in case I wanted to go back to factory. Complete new distributor loaded and coils.

I may pull the dizzy out just to verify the cam, springs and point contacts are correct, easier than leaning over the fenders.

 

[cheveslakr]

Wise man. If I ever travel with a msd or pertronix....have both........I carry a loaded points distributor and a ballast resistor for roadside corrections. Pertronix, at least the first version, is garbage. I think they've gotten better. The new msd stuff is garbage I hear and WAY overpriced.
I have at least 3 of those in use also.....the old stuff. In the vette, I replaced the old red 6a box with the first series blue module, pic below, it's the size of a rotor and fits real nicely under the vette console. Found this little beauty at a swap for $10 and it works fantastically!!