hello all.
I fear that my points are in need of replacing - so I ordered them from summitracing from malory part# 118x

is there any special way I need to go about installing them / and setting them to the correct gap ? I seem to remember something about using cigarette pack celephane in between the two points - and ajusting it so that it will just allow it to slide apart enough to pull the celephane piece away.

if this is wrong ^ then please advise me to the correct setting.

after this is done I also plan to set the timing of the car with a timing light wich I have no experience doing. I know how its suposed to work and all but have never messed with the guns my self. just always set it by ear - or sat a glass of water on the air cleaner and watched the water ripples for the smoothest idle it can give.
what is the goal im setting the timing for at a given rpm?
engine idle = 750 rpm = what should the timing light be telling me ?
and 2000 rpm = timing all in = what ideal total timing should be ?

im also going to give the dist. a good solid looking over - as the advance springs might be shot. and or other stuff could be going on it.
I have a second full dist. that I can swap in if mine checks out no good.
or rob parts from it if nessary.

my cap n rotor are about 4 months old and my coil is 2 months old - balast resistor is new - new plug wires also .... so its down to the tuning aspect of it all. the car runs good once it starts but lately ive been having alot of trouble getting it to "catch" when cranking it up.
I just adjusted the valves, wich were not out of spec. by much.

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1972 Plymouth Valiant / slant 6 auto

You failed to tell us what year vehicle/engine that you are dealing with. This info is necessary to give you valid information.

It would also be a big help to yourself to buy these books.

At the very least, buy the factory manual for you particular vehicle.

I would install new points & condenser into the spair distributor and swap it into the vehivle, as a test.
If you do not like the way it runs, tune-up the original distributor and swap it again.
FYI, the factory points gap at .020 and when it comes to setting ignition timing, there is no replacement for a timing light.
DD

the car is a 72 plymouth valiant
with a 225 / automatic tranny / stock exaust man. basicly stock long block with holley 1920 1brl

valves ajusted to .010/.020 last week so I know there good.

I had a coil go bad on me before - and when it did that it also burnt up the inline resistor ( white porclin jobber on the fire wall ) wich is also newly replaced the coil and resistor with mopar parts.


ok so ill try and set the points to .020
but what should the timing be set to on my perticular car / engine ?

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1972 Plymouth Valiant / slant 6 auto