This takes the cake - Trigger points for the 1972

[meltedpanda]

lol - they need to stay closed approximately 100 degrees of rotation

[350SL4spd]

Ok. So my old set was staying closed +/-180*. My 'new' used set is staying closed +/-135*.

So now I need to decide if I want to run the new set & see how well they work, or return them. Any advice there?

The weird thing is; look at the pics below. The nice 'new' looking bumper that the cam rides on are off my old set the was staying closed 180*. The ones staying closed 135* have obvious wear (see the rubber worn over the edges?). But also notice the metal nubs next to them. Almost worn flat on the old set & much larger on the newer set.

[meltedpanda]

measureing the rotation and open close is not exact, 135 may be OK, certainly , it sounds, better than your old. I think Graham measured his at 120 on the top end, my new ones certainly are less than that but I am sure there is a margin of error. As you know you have to retrofit a plug, which lends return probably impossible. Now that you have two sets you could try the "bending" idea on the old set that several of us have used. Some were successful - others ( me) were not.

[350SL4spd]

Yeah, there is a pretty big margin of error when trying to measure that angle. That said, if anything at least 2 of mine were leaning towards the heavy side of 135*, maybe 140*.

I definitely paid more for these than I would have liked for 135*, but the other options out there aren't any better.

I keep trying to brainstorm a better way to 'augment' that little bumper, as an alternative to bending. But I've got nothing yet.

The little metal nubs intrigue me as well. They would appear to just be rivets that hold part of the point set together, but the ones on my old set are definitely worn down, not just smaller.

Anyway, for your amusement and possibly it will help someone one day, I did the following little diagram to help me in my swap and to keep track of my angles etc. The pie chart-looking things are just the dwell on each set of points (ideally yours should be in the 100-120* range). The numbers (1-4) are where the wires from the old plug are in the new plug connector. (I actually need to double check that; these locations are based on the points opening sequence, but need to be confirmed by wire location.)

[Graham]

Originally Posted by 350SL4spd

Yeah, there is a pretty big margin of error when trying to measure that angle. That said, if anything at least 2 of mine were leaning towards the heavy side of 135*, maybe 140*.

I definitely paid more for these than I would have liked for 135*, but the other options out there aren't any better.

I keep trying to brainstorm a better way to 'augment' that little bumper, as an alternative to bending. But I've got nothing yet.

The little metal nubs intrigue me as well. They would appear to just be rivets that hold part of the point set together, but the ones on my old set are definitely worn down, not just smaller.

Anyway, for your amusement and possibly it will help someone one day, I did the following little diagram to help me in my swap and to keep track of my angles etc. The pie chart-looking things are just the dwell on each set of points (ideally yours should be in the 100-120* range). The numbers (1-4) are where the wires from the old plug are in the new plug connector. (I actually need to double check that; these locations are based on the points opening sequence, but need to be confirmed by wire location.)

I believe those little nubs are just different on newer sets. To wear, the rubbing blocks would have to be completely worn down and the nubs riding on the cams - unlikely!

I took some pics of my original points and a new set. (Believe it or not, I disassembled my new points to take the pic!). Nubs are different as are a few other minor details.

While apart, I measured the rubbing blocks. The new ones measured about 9.02mm from metal facing on one side to fiber face where block rubs on cam. My old set measured 8.5, 8.75, 8.81 and 8.73.

Checking opening angle on old set, I got something like 163, 139, 130, 137. (presumably bigger angle corresponds with worn (8.5mm) block.

I then checked the brand new set and numbers are higher than I would have guessed: 122, 140, 139, 120. I suspect that depending on just how the points fit against the distributor, they could go in slightly to one side and result in these type of readings. Perhaps improper seating could also cause one block to wear more than others as in my old set.

Someone with a small milling machine could probably replicate the rubbing blocks using perhaps a more modern plastic. With some patience, it may even be possible to make them by hand or cast them in a mold.

But with two spares, one of which is brand new, I don't have energy for that sort of thing!

PS (ADDED LATER). One thought I had. Three out of four of the rubbing blocks on my old set are still not bad. If I had a second set of "bad" triggers, I could probably make one good set from two. Perhaps you could do same? Might be easier than bending the metal tabs.

[meltedpanda]

I think we are all crazy ......
nice diagram SL, where ya been Graham? Mkae your own blocks, have not thought of that one. I do no I trashed my old set of points trying to bend them. I have another set I never could bend to work

side note - cruised in my SL today to go look at an 83 TD ( for fun) 70 mile round trip , top down, a blast...

[Graham]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

I think we are all crazy ......
nice diagram SL, where ya been Graham? Mkae your own blocks, have not thought of that one. I do no I trashed my old set of points trying to bend them. I have another set I never could bend to work

side note - cruised in my SL today to go look at an 83 TD ( for fun) 70 mile round trip , top down, a blast...

If you have any old sets, mail them to me and I will see if I can make a good spare set. I already have three sets, so not interested for myself. Only interested in getting ones that have been abandoned to play with!

300D's are good! My '85 (with 82 engine) still just purrs - drive it every day. Hot as Hyades here at present - Think I will go for a spin in SL and cooloff.

Seeya.

[350SL4spd]

Dammit! Mine SL is down until I get the points sorted. But at 102* today & no A/C in the SL it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

I'm actually jumping ship on the diesel front: I'm looking for a Golf TDI. I've had literally dozens of MB diesels over the years, but I need a reliable highway cruiser...

[350SL4spd]

Hey mp,

When you re-did your plug, were the wires the right colors? Both sides of mine have yellow wires with green, blue, red, white, & black stripes. But I'm not convinced that splicing them in is that easy. ie: Are the wires the same for the early & later plugs??

Thanks!

[meltedpanda]

of course not, you have to match the color of the new to the color of the old. IIRC the only one that was the same was the ground and the green and white. Remember to orient the plug correctly or else everything gets assbackwards...

[350SL4spd]

Damn. I just finished wiring it up (temporary, but still...).

I noticed that the way the new one is set up is a mirror of the old one. ie: If you look at my earlier diagrams: if you changed the old connector diagram to read 4-3-G-2-1 it matches up all the colors of the wires.

I ended up thinking that I'd gotten the orientation of that plug backwards and installed it color to color.

My new diagram is like this: (the numbers in the new connector are where the wires from the old connector should go. I think.)



That being the case (if I'm at all right), I don't see the how the green & the white would be the same on mine... How many different wiring set-ups were there for these things???

[meltedpanda]

lost in translation.... mine had a white wire with a small green pinstripe. Some of the colors on mine did not exist on the new points
but it looks like you got it

[350SL4spd]

I still need to determine if I had the original old connector flipped in my diagram or not. I may just try to run it with the wires set up color-to-color & see if it runs...

[meltedpanda]

let me take a picture of my old one in situ..

[meltedpanda]

Ok, all my wires had a yellow base, looking at it left to right
green stripe -14
red -21
black-12
big green-22
white-13