no gap at breaker points

[berthilton]

Hi,

being relatively new to playing around with cars I was a bit confused by this. I was trying to get to the bottom of a starting problem when I noticed that there was virtually no gap at the breaker points when they should have been at the maximum gap. I couldn't even get the finest of feeler gauges into the gap yet the engine had been running ok once started. I tried adjusting the gap as specified in Haynes but the adjustment was already fixed to give the maximum gap.

I removed the breaker point contacts to see if the problem was due to build up of deposits. No deposits were evident and I cleaned up the points and replaced them. Still couldn't get a gap. Any suggestion as to why this is or what should be done. Should I replace the breaker points?

Thanks for any help,

rob

[MoggyTech]

The contact heel on the points that is operated by the dizzy cam, might be worn right down. There have been reports of new points wearing there very rapidly.

[berthilton]

that'd do it I guess. so I suppose I just replace that part

[bmcecosse]

To keep you going it 'may' be possible to either file the slot to get a bit more movement - or bend the fixed contact back slightly. But really as MT says - new points required! And put a little spot of grease on the 'heel' to make them last a little longer.

[rayofleamington]

try to avoid the new stock points with brown plastic heel - these are amongst the wosrt you can get.
If you can find an old stock set of OEM parts (e.g. with red heel) then you may not have to worry about them again for a lot longer.

[berthilton]

ok, very helpful. I had already tried bending the fixed conact back and it is still running so now I'll try and get hold of new points. also the one that is worn does have a brown heel so i'll try to avoid that in future.

thanks guys

[Welung666]

Nip into your local motor factors and ask for a set of Lucas DSB101C or equivalent.

[bmcecosse]

Get two sets - carry a spare in the glovebox!