Points setting tool kit

Back in the late 1970s or early 80s, I bought a point setting tool kit made by Kaster, Inc. The kit included a set of rings that you could put over the distributor shaft so the points gap could be set without "bumping the engine" to get the points to open. The kit also included some adapters, a feeler gauge, a points file and some other items. I still have the tool kit but have long since lost the instructions. Is anybody familiar with a tool kit like this and where I could find instructions for use? Thanks.
 
I don't remember the maker of it but I'm pretty sure that's what I have from Dad's collection of stuff. Not sure if I have instructions ? I also think it was to be most helpful in setting up dual point dist. You basically put the right size ring on the dist. shaft then use the feeler gauge needed with enough added to take up for the adapter thickness.
 
Yes, as I recall, it was something like that. There are the rings and then there are some adapters that are like a set of feeler gauges. I just don't remember exactly how to use them.
 
Using a set of feeler gauges can be very inaccurate, especially if you use them on a set of used, pitted contact points.
Use an accurate dwell meter instead.
 
O.K.,

Indulge me for a bit. Where can the dwell spec. for say, a 1954 Minneapolis Moline ZBU be found?
 
Checked my manual saw "set breaker contacts at.020 gap" no mention of the dwell setting. I've used the old "matchbook" method when away from my feeler gauge. Don't even own a dwell. Think most of my tractors, pre 1955, were designed to be serviced by the owner without expensive or complicated tools. jmho gobble
 

Google "blackhawk snap gap"

I have a set a local Napa store gave me the price on it $2.00. I never used it I don't have a problem getting the points on the high side of the cam not am a perfectionist that THINKS the points have to be set dead nutz. I always set them on the high side and let them come to me instead of going away from me from the get-go..
 
Funny you say that. Just the other day I out in new point in a Case VAI and did not feel like walking to the shop to get the feeler gauge so took a flap off the box the points came in and use that Tried to fire it up and I fired right up and that was after it had sat at least 3 years with out having any thing done to it
 
Any eight engine can be set at 30? dwell. Any six cylinder engine can be set at 31?-35? dwell. Any four cylinder engine can be set for 35? dwell or slightly higher.
Since used points are pitted, a feeler gauge can be very inaccurate. Feeler gauges do work for new points, but a dwell meter is the only way to go for used points and is far more accurate than a feeler gauge on new points.
 
For youse old farts used to werking with points and stuff...and younguns, remember using a match book cover to set the points? It werks right well for a temporary setting for the points at the open position. Used it more than once to get home to the shop where I could set it with the proper tools. Also the striker pad served as a pretty good point file.

Noah W
 
Okay folks, I asked about my points setting tool kit, not about how you set points. Please don't high-jack my thread. If you want to talk about something else, start your own thread.
 
(quoted from post at 09:52:00 09/14/16) Okay folks, I asked about my points setting tool kit, not about how you set points. Please don't high-jack my thread. If you want to talk about something else, start your own thread.
es, and how about a few pictures of that kit?
 

Can you post some pictures of it? More than enough visual relationships ability floating around here to figure it out.

I vaguely remember those, but a remote start switch on the starter relay, big socket on the crank pulley nut, or put it in 4th and bump it a couple times did the job. Or if you were a real bad a@s, pull the distributor and put it in the Sun machine....
 

Tom, Seeing how you posted right after I did, I feel so bad about you thinking anyone was attempting to hi-jack your thread on point setting tool kits. I didn't realize we were supposed to stay strictly on subject. Therefore I will (and suggest everyone else also) refrain from posting in any thread you start lest you feel it is being hi-jacked.

Noah W
 
Okay, here is a pic of the tool kit. Hopefully, this attaches okay. It is mostly intact except for a points file. As you can see, there are several rings. They fit around the top of the distributor shaft. There is also a set of adapters (that look like a feeler gauge) as well as a plug gaping tool with a brush. It has been over 30 years since I have used this kit, since back when cars started having breaker-less ignition systems. When a ring is placed over the top of the distributor shaft, the points are pushed open to the extent of the high spot on the distributor shaft plus the thickness of the ring material. As I recall, I would then use the adapter to set the points gap. But, I don't remember how that works and I have long since lost the instructions.
a237605.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 14:55:16 09/15/16) Okay, here is a pic of the tool kit. Hopefully, this attaches okay. It is mostly intact except for a points file. As you can see, there are several rings. They fit around the top of the distributor shaft. There is also a set of adapters (that look like a feeler gauge) as well as a plug gaping tool with a brush. It has been over 30 years since I have used this kit, since back when cars started having breaker-less ignition systems. When a ring is placed over the top of the distributor shaft, the points are pushed open to the extent of the high spot on the distributor shaft plus the thickness of the ring material. As I recall, I would then use the adapter to set the points gap. But, I don't remember how that works and I have long since lost the instructions.
a237605.jpg
hat is that with numbers at lower right?
 
(quoted from post at 16:47:38 09/15/16)
(quoted from post at 14:55:16 09/15/16) Okay, here is a pic of the tool kit. Hopefully, this attaches okay. It is mostly intact except for a points file. As you can see, there are several rings. They fit around the top of the distributor shaft. There is also a set of adapters (that look like a feeler gauge) as well as a plug gaping tool with a brush. It has been over 30 years since I have used this kit, since back when cars started having breaker-less ignition systems. When a ring is placed over the top of the distributor shaft, the points are pushed open to the extent of the high spot on the distributor shaft plus the thickness of the ring material. As I recall, I would then use the adapter to set the points gap. But, I don't remember how that works and I have long since lost the instructions.
a237605.jpg
hat is that with numbers at lower right?

That is for the old gm v8 where you set dwell with engine running.
 

Which piece is the adapter? The bit with the two slots is used to bend the point arm to align the point faces, brush to clean old cam grease, don't know what the chrome dildo looking thang is for...

You'd have to use some kind of offset with the rings, that would give you a gap bigger by whatever the thickness of the ring is. That what must be what the adapter is....
 


Yes,, your right... and... using a dirty feeler gauge is what causes most points to burn.. It leaves oil residue on the points. And yes, when pitted or twisted, or worn a bit irregular, a feeler gauge will no longer be accurate.

A dwell meter will put the points perfect every time. And a 20 degree gap will measure the same on all engines having the same number of lobes no matter if its a briggs, or lochness fugiwamma. So a know dwell is can be reused on ALL engines with the same number of cyls.

I loved the gm engines with the points window as you could make spot adjustments with the engine running. Just throw the points in close to 20,, fire it up.. and put the dwell right on the money, and you put it back on PERFECT timing every time. A check with the timing light would confirm it, but not needed if a dwell meter was used. Also mazda rotary engine could be run with the cap off, as long a plugged the coil in to number one cyl.. again, you could run it, set it running, and put it back together.
 
Yes, using the rings along with a standard feeler gauge would give a points setting wider than it should be. The adapter tool (the thing that looks like a feeler gauge)has four "leaves" or feelers. Two of them say Adapter, one says .025" and the other .020". My memory is pretty "foggy" about it, but using the proper ring, along with the adapter and .025 or .020 feeler may have given you a point setting of .025" or .020". I guess, I will just have to try using it that way and see if I get the proper gap setting.
 



Does anybody know how to reach Tom ?..... I left a message with my number and didn't get any Replies or calls
 

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