VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Points

Can anyone provide me with the Echlin/NAPA number for points for the 216CI? A trip to the NAPA store (twenty five mile round trip)produced a set of points that do not fit. The base is approximately 1/16 in longer than the ones they are replacing and the adjusting hole does not line up. They otherwise look the same. The old points are a separate contact points and base, while the new ones were one piece.

Sure, what year is it?

Neil

From an old Echlin book
35-40 CS63A
41-42 CS779A

Neil

I see that CS63A becomes CS763A.
Neil

The car is a '37 but I can't vouch for the engine ro distributor year. Going out there now to take the points back. Thenks for the prompt responses.

Hi Monte3
If you need the right set of points for your 1937 Chevrolet, I have them in stock either NOS Delco Remy for $12.00 per set or NORS Niehoff, Standard, Filko, Shurhit, Echlin, Tungsten, etc. for $8.00 per set. Shipping in the USA is $3.50 via USPS First Class mail.

If not sure of the vehicle or distributor year, reference the distributor number which is either on a tag on the distributor or inside the distributor on the point plate to get the correct set. To see the listing for the NOS point sets with a picture, please visit our website page http://marxparts.com/contact%20sets.htm . Thanks Bob@marxparts

The same points will fit a 1934-1962 distribtor....except for the 1941 - early 1948 models. The used a slightly shorter base unit and it had a slight curve in the base.
I suspect you may have a 1941-1948 dist.

Gene:
The distributor does not have a plate on the outside. The model number on the base plate inside (after a little wire brushing) appears to be 1110090.

Thanks, Gary

That is a 1941-early 1948 distributor - so that is what you would get the points for.

For those who may be interested, Gene was right. The Echlin/NAPA number for the points on the '41 to early '48 distributor is CS779A. Thaks for the help, guy's.

Gary

If you've got a 1941-48 distributor, you should really look at ditching the points and installing the Pertronix Elextronic Ignition. I switched mine and haven't looked back. Plus, the whole electronic ignition fits inside the distributor and can't be seen. It all still looks orginal.

http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/13908/Chevrolet_4153_PERTRONIX_ELECTRONIC_IGNITION_6_VOLT.html

Electronic ignitions have been discussed before many times. I bought 2 but after installing one on my 6 Volt '41 car I found out it would not start if the battery voltage dropped below 4 volts while cranking.Ive got 000000 cables and it doesnt snow here. So I had to remove it. I thought these would work on a stock system.

I can't speak for others but I rather enjoy my point set-up...I've been running the same set for over 15 years...every other year I take'm out, polish'em up and put'em back in...It works for me...Probably should change the condenser occasionally though...Which I do...

I'm sure the pertronix is a fine product. And, I have never used one.

That being said, I like the idea of just tossing a spare set of new points and condenser in the glove box. I don't know what one would do if the pertronix failed. Maybe it would be a good idea to carry a spare distributor and install it beside the road as you would the points and condenser. I think the points would be easier.

I think I may be too old fashioned in my thinking and a little more apprehensive about new technology when I shouldn't be. Oh, well...

Charlie

...I personally don't like to call AAA...And I've never had problems with my points out on the open road, so...

If Pertronix's made the car's performance noticeably better, I might give it some consideration.

Charlie,

If the Pertronix fails, you take the spare points and condensor out of your glove box and put them in the distributor. You're back on your way. No need to remove the distributor.

Pertronix is an easy convert. You take the points and condensor out, put the Pertronix in, hook up the wires, and you're done. You will need to by-pass the reversing switch since it was only for the points. I left my reversing switch in place in case I wanted to go back to it.

Did your car run any better/smoother with Pertronix...?...Or were you just getting away from something obsolete and bothersome...? Just curious...

Put a Petronix unit in our 1970 Impala when we still owned the car. It failed within one week and left us stranded at a stop light on a main highway on a Friday night at 5:00 in heavy traffic. In the previous 25 years prior to that we never had a problem with the point system!!

Kevin, I can't say that it ran better or worse from before but it ran great......especially since I didn't have to adjust anything.

Junkyard Dog,

Sometimes things don't always go perfectly I guess, but technology is here whether we want to accept it or not.

On a side note to your logic though of staying with old technology.......I bought a new dishwasher early in March. 30 days later, the pump went out and it stopped working. After a few weeks, warranty repaired it. Just yesterday, my wife informs me that it's got the same problem again. I guess I should go back to the old ways of hand washing dishes since it always works.....I think not. I like technology.

Advances in new stuff doesn't always go smooth, it just takes time to refine its creation to make it just right. Sometimes a quick call to the manufacture to advise of a problem can help them make it just right.

Pertronix tech spokesman told me I need 5 volts at the coil, I had a problem with the car starting after I lifted off the push button. Seems to be that way after the car has set for a long time and needs extra cranking time to fill the carb. Any way I live with it and enjoy not messing with the points.Yes, I have all the original parts in a box in the trunk.