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Triumph TR3 - Contact Breakers

Hi Guys:
My TR quit on it's own for the first time in 5yrs so I thought I would let everyone know what the problem was.
Upon examination it turned out that the problem was with the points.The last time I replaced them I used "Blue Streak" made in the USA by Standard Motor Parts and sold by UAP/NAPA among others.On these points the pillar that the spring of the movable contact is attached to is plastic which is basicly a good idea because it avoids the use of insulating washers as used on the metal pillar on the original points set but it is not nearly as strong.We all know what happens to plastic under stress and in the presence of heat,oil and vibration.You guessed it.The plastic cracked and I had an unwanted ground.
I replaced them with some from UNIPART made over 'ome and they have the steel pillar and insulators as the original Lucas ones.
It might be something to watch out for.
Chuck

Same thing happened to me. Same part from the same store.
Mike Parkhill

In the last 79,000 miles, I changed my points twice. Both time it was because Louise called me up from the garage because supper was getting cold and I'd better or else . . . . I forgot the ignition "on" in both cases about 6 years between the two incidences. And when I came back, I had to change the points. But I never had a running problem when I ran about 25,000 miles with the "Blue Streak" points till I burned them out as above.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Hi Don:
You might not have had the latest model with the plastic pillar.
Chuck

This thread was discussed between 11/10/2003 and 13/10/2003

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