Figure 5. Setting mechanical breaker points is a process that looks
and sounds simple. However, the process is often complicated and
difficult because distributors may not be easy to reach in many
vehicles. Sometimes it may be easier to remove a distributor from a
vehicle when installing new points or to reset old ones.The condenser — sometimes called a capacitor — is another simple,
but very important, component in a mechanical breaker point
distributor. Basically, it acts as a shock-absorber for the points by
preventing the point contacts from arcing as they open. If the contacts
arc, they will erode and become burned. For this reason, it’s common
practice to replace the condenser whenever the points are replaced.
Condensers are inexpensive, and while they can be checked with the
appropriate test equipment, it is usually safest to replace them. However,
if you have replaced the breaker points due to normal wear or as part of
a tune-up routine, and the point contacts weren’t badly burned or
eroded, you may assume the condenser was okay and should keep it
aboard their vehicle as a spare. Likewise, old breaker points having only
normal wear may be cleaned and kept for emergency situations. Keeping
old, but useable, parts is a good habit to get into if you own a vintage
MV.
Setting breaker points is one of those jobs that sounds simple in a