Replacing points on side-mount

Cooter143

Member
I have a '50 8n side-mount that needs the points replaced. I'm not much of a mechanic but I was able to do this before on another tractor with help from this site a couple of
years ago . I thought I printed out the info and put it in a binder but can't seem to find it now. I have a manual that I will use to go get started but I'm looking for any pointers
or helpful hints as I usually just go step by step and make several mistakes along the way. I know Bruce had some good stuff posted for a front mount but can't remember
what's been posted for a side-mount. Thanks in advance for any help!
 
Flip bails off cap, slip out of way, remove rotor, dust cover

Remove/replace points. Gap to .025 on the high side of a lobe, lube rubbing block a hair
 
Some will come along and make it sound complicated but all u have to do is bump the starter and/or turn the engine with the fan blade and get the points rubbing block dead on top of one of the high points on the distributor lobe..Remove the old ones--install the new ones-set on .025 and you should be good to go..
 
That was a piece of cake, and I've put that off all winter!..... It fired right up, although setting the gap was a little tough b/c it didn't line up quite right. But, it's running, thanks for your help!
 
In addition to what Den & soundguy said.....

Put some toilet paper inside the distributor. That way, when you drop a screw, it won't fall inside of the distributor.

And use a blade feeler gauge, not the wire gauge that you use on your plugs.

Use Bluestreak points, check the gap & lube the cam at least annually.
75 Tips
 
I should have read your tip about the toilet paper earlier,...I did drop one of the screws, but I was able to fish it out with some needle nose pliers. I had put off messing with this one because the PO had sealed the dust cap shut. It eventually got to where it wouldn't start, so I figured it had to come off one way or another. I was able to pry it off and had a replacement handy. Points were in bad shape so I'm glad I got it done. This site has been a big help, next job will be fixing a pretty significant oil leak, but that can wait.
 
wish I knew that toilet paper trick back in the 60s. I dropped a screw while changing points on a 64 ply. with 318 eng. I thought it went to the ground spent a lot of time looking for it before replacing it. It fired up briefly then stopped with a bang. The screw found it's way inside between the shaft and housing broke the tang off the shaft, had to fish it out with a magnet on a stick, then replace the shaft.
 

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