VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 tEngine Running Rough

What if the new points have a fatigued spring on them? I had a new set of points that lacked the string stiffness to open and close properly. It only takes a couple of minutes to switch a set of points, and they don't need to be perfectly new ones.

Good luck, Mike

Happened to me awhile back...The brakes I mean...Nothing was leaking that I could see...Rolled up the floor mat and checked the master cylinder and it was dry...Filled it up and with a few pumps I was off and running again...All it took...Hadn't checked it in years...Duh...

As far as the points go, their can be some confusion...There are two different distributors that fit...You have to find the correct set of points that fit...Bring them with you when you go for new ones...So you get the right ones...There was a change in and about 1947...

You were exactly right - the reservoir was bone dry. Filled it up and pumped it down. Opened it up and filled it again and pumped it down and solid brakes. Now, let's get the car back to running smoothly. Going to try new points - rotor and condenser. Put in new plugs. Time will tell. Thank you for all the advice and suggestions.

All 1947's used the same points. The same points were used from 1941 util MID 1948....providing the engine has the original distributor.

Gene has a good point. Can you read the number on the distributor body? That will tell us if its the original one, or not. That will ensure you've got the correct points in the correct distributor. If it was swapped out over the years that could create an issue I would think.

I have had a problem locating points that have the correct diameter post hole. The ones I had gotten (for polarity reversing switch) 1941-48 from Chevs of the 40's have been the wrong size. The diameter of the post hole in them has always been two large. This causes the points to wobble on the post they ride on. Make sure your new and old points fit snugly on the distributor post. I can provide pictures and diameter measurements tomorrow if my answer is not clear.

Good luck, Mike

Thanks for all the help.
Two more things:
1) Question was - is the current distributor orginal
Here is the information in the distributor: Delco Remy-Anderson, Indiana - Model Serial - 1112353-9k28. Does that make it an orginal distributor.
2) Someone suggested that I suck on the vaccum hose connected to the vaccum advance to see if I can see it move. I did so and I can see the plunger move.
Comments - thanks!

1112353 is a 1949-1950 216 distributor....I would bet you have a later model engine. What is the casting number on the side of the engine> will be a seven diget number if a 1946-50 and a six diget if a 1937.

I could not locate the numbers on the engine. Can you be more specific as to where to look? Thanks!

Found the number - here it is EAA578236 - on the side by the distributor to the rear.

What engine - what year - what cubic inch do I have? Looks to be not the original. Thanks

Just below that and to the left on the block just above the oil pan flange you should find a cast letter and numbers. Such as L 13 0 . The letter is the month of the year A being January. The example being November 13, 1950. The numbers you listed are the serial number and perhaps Chevnut can decipher from there.

If the EAA is stamped on the ledge behind the distributor it is a 1947 engine.
At some point a 1949 or 1950 distributor was installed. Perhaps it was done to eleminate the somewhat troblesome polarity reversing switch used from 1941-mid 1948.
If the 1947 engine has the 1947 cylinder head then it will have the small 8MM spark plugs also.

I just installed a set of AC R45 plugs set at .40 gap so what should that tell us?

Here is a picture of the 47.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=XX#photos?pid=6034937596928024930&oid=110399760318277924468

See if you can read the numbers that are on the side of the block. Either in front or behind the fuel pump. May be behind the draft tube. Raised up numbers. As Gene said, 6 or 7 numbers long.

It tells us it has a later model head. 1949 or newer. There is a casting number under the rocker arm cover - left side.

Is there a large raised circle with a 0 or 8 in the center just behind the fuel pump?

The numbers I can find are on the bell housing just by the engine timing hole on the right side of the engine. GM - 86001 and between the fuel pump and distributor on the lower engine housing - GM - 000770 with a large 2 below the 6 digit number.

It appears to be an 8 located to the right of the fuel pump on the engine casing. Also the EAA578236 number located just to the right of the distributor on the casting lip.

Please interpret this all for me.

I ordered new points - condenser - distributor cover and rotor for a 1947 Chevrolet 216 engine. AM I CORRECT DO YOU THINK.

Gene - I think I just sent you a PM

Time will tell if you got the correct points...I always seem to get the wrong ones...I've gotten pretty good at reconditioning the old ones with fine sandpaper...I think they work better if the gap/dwell angle is less then what is recommended...Of course that changes what you'd expect the timing would/should be...Toss your timing light and "play it by ear"...Drive around the block a few times and keep advancing the timing until it feels/runs the way you think it should...

What will tell is when the points are installed. The 1947 distributor will not accept the 1949 and up parts. He has a 1949 dist. so 1934-1940 and 1949-1952 points are requuired. The 1953-1962 are called a high speed point (lighter arm) and they will fit also.

Yep...And the guys at the parts store never seem to be much help...Bring your old ones with you to compare...Bet you a dollar they're not correct...lol I'd go with Gene and order for a different year...It's the adjustment hole that is usually off...