[Rovernet] Electronic versus points fuel pump

[Glen R. Wilson]

On 4/30/24 16:06, Jim Pile via Rovernet wrote:
> My 2 cents: 20 years ago my points were failing so regularly I always 
> kept TWO spares in the boot. Couldn't figure out why till Ruth Burgess 
> (bless her soul) suggested that my distributor cam could be worn. Spot 
> on. Replaced the cam and then installed electronic ignition. No 
> problems with the ignition since. Then again, it's hardly my daily driver!

That and the fact that the cam is supposed to be lubricated so that the 
plastic block slides over it. Do they still supply that little capsule 
of goo?


>
> On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 03:54:02 PM EDT, Glen R. Wilson via 
> Rovernet <rovernet at rovernet.org> wrote:
>
>
> If you are going to depend on points for fuel pumps or ignition, you 
> have made a commitment to maintain them over time and replace them 
> before they fail. Let's face it: Points are dead simple, so the only 
> reason they should leave you by the side of the road is because you 
> failed to maintain them and expected them to last forever. More 
> rationally, you would expect them to last until they wear our like any 
> other consumable component.
>
> If you have a car that's entirely dependent upon points, you need to 
> understand points and inspect them and maintain them on a routine 
> basis expecting them to deteriorate.
>
> If memory serves, there was a simple mod you could make to SU pumps 
> with points where you added a diode which vastly reduced the amount of 
> electrical arcing and greatly extended the life and reliability of the 
> points.
>
> On the electronics side, there's no reason whatsoever for electronic 
> components to fail in this application unless they are not rated 
> properly to do the job or are simply cheap and likely to be defective.
>
> Most of us learn to do some pretty arcane and finicky things to get 
> these cars running and keep them running. It's probably worth your 
> time to learn to do the simplest of electronic repairs and 
> modifications because that's what we are talking about with these SU 
> pumps.
>
> I have a similar attitude about guitars. Many guitar players (or at 
> least owners) have not the slightest clue regarding how their guitar 
> works or how to set it up. What's required are a small collection of 
> specialized tools (which can these days be bought for not much cash) 
> and watching a number of YouTube videos. You can transform most 
> guitars on your own with about 90 minutes of adjustment or depend on a 
> luthier and shell out $200 every time you get another guitar. And hope 
> that the "luthier" you left the guitar with knows what to do and what 
> you want.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Rovernet mailing list
> Rovernet at rovernet.org
> http://rovernet.org/mailman/listinfo/rovernet_rovernet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> Rovernet mailing list
> Rovernet at rovernet.org
> http://rovernet.org/mailman/listinfo/rovernet_rovernet.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://rovernet.org/pipermail/rovernet_rovernet.org/attachments/20240430/434a6b1d/attachment.htm>