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baldessariclan Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 1385 Location: Wichita, KS
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:20 am Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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glutamodo wrote: |
Dark Earth wrote: |
If the points look ugly, sometimes you can get away with cleaning them up with a "point file" or "ignition file". |
I own several point files. I find that "sometimes" is more like "seldom"... and none of them are worth using. Not on the hardened steel points that have been sold the last several decades. |
Aren't the ignition points usually made from / tipped with tungsten, or something like that? In any case, I agree that they seem to be super-hard stuff, and those files will usually barely touch them, unless the pitting / deposits are pretty small. _________________ 1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver
baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt... |
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2017 Posts: 1966 Location: WV
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:29 am Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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baldessariclan wrote: |
glutamodo wrote: |
Dark Earth wrote: |
If the points look ugly, sometimes you can get away with cleaning them up with a "point file" or "ignition file". |
I own several point files. I find that "sometimes" is more like "seldom"... and none of them are worth using. Not on the hardened steel points that have been sold the last several decades. |
Aren't the ignition points usually made from / tipped with tungsten, or something like that? In any case, I agree that they seem to be super-hard stuff, and those files will usually barely touch them, unless the pitting / deposits are pretty small. |
That plus the questionable quality/hardness of the files available today to purchase makes it much less likely to have any success in 'filing' the points.
I have a file, but it's for the off chance that I have mis-placed my spare points set. Emergency "get it home because I have no service to call AAA" kind of thing. _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor |
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Frodge Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006 Posts: 1991 Location: Dump
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 11:01 am Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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So they don’t make files hard enough to file points any longer? |
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2017 Posts: 1966 Location: WV
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 11:08 am Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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Frodge wrote: |
So they don’t make files hard enough to file points any longer? |
"Filing" "sanding" or "scratching" anything requires you to use a tool which is has a higher hardness than the item you are attempting to file.
If your points' material is softer than your file, the points are filed by the file.
If your file's material is softer than the points, the file is 'filed' by the points.
It's an interesting topic, actually:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_scale _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor |
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Frodge Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006 Posts: 1991 Location: Dump
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW wrote: |
Frodge wrote: |
So they don’t make files hard enough to file points any longer? |
"Filing" "sanding" or "scratching" anything requires you to use a tool which is has a higher hardness than the item you are attempting to file.
If your points' material is softer than your file, the points are filed by the file.
If your file's material is softer than the points, the file is 'filed' by the points.
It's an interesting topic, actually:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_scale |
I understand that. I have files that will file points down. I’ve done it before. |
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2017 Posts: 1966 Location: WV
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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Frodge wrote: |
I understand that. I have files that will file points down. I’ve done it before. |
Okay, hang on to it. It's just the new 'normal' with tools and parts- poor quality and poor materials.
China made stuff just isn't always up to spec, ya know? We've all experienced the poor quality control of some manufacturers. _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor |
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Frodge Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006 Posts: 1991 Location: Dump
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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Maybe eBay you can get some old files that will work. I personally stay away from chinesium. |
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Frodge Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006 Posts: 1991 Location: Dump
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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I also buy nos points. I try to get all the oem stuff when i can. It’s around. |
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bnam Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006 Posts: 2936 Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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Yesterday I discovered that these points can be split into 2 by compressing the spring and pulling it off. It made filing the points much easier working on 2 separate pieces. _________________ 1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12468
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Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2018 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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Frodge wrote: |
Maybe eBay you can get some old files that will work. I personally stay away from chinesium. |
Boy not me, I have a cot in back room of harbor freight. Oh I love it so. |
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Frodge Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006 Posts: 1991 Location: Dump
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Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2018 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
Frodge wrote: |
Maybe eBay you can get some old files that will work. I personally stay away from chinesium. |
Boy not me, I have a cot in back room of harbor freight. Oh I love it so. |
I learned that lesson a long time ago. |
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runamoc Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2006 Posts: 5601 Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: point gap/dwell |
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Quote: |
filing the points much easier working on 2 separate pieces. |
Are the points still parallel after that? _________________ Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 44 yrs - Plan B: '81 Rabbit Diesel LS Deluxe - Plan C: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs-
VW Wiring = It's just wires |
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