Tune Up Parts...

[WILMASBOYL78]

I will be doing some work soon on our 1970 L78 TH400 Nova...

Lots of maintenance items scheduled including fluid changes, valve adjustment, carb refresh, and a tune up. I have a new set of NGK plugs per a site member recommendation...have a nice set of the hi-perf Chevy orange plug wires that will replace the current ones.

Would like to replace cap, rotor and points...

Should I look at Accel or MSD items...or ???

Thanks for any help...

-wilma

[1967 4K]

You won’t regret the NGK plugs. They are the best for a big block Chevy L78. I run a Pertronix now but used Accel points n condensers for years with no issues, good product.

[Arrowsmith]

There is a considerable difference in caps, rotors, points, etc. If given the opportunity, you can easily tell the differences just by looking at them side by side. Some of the jobber stuff is simply horrible. For what it’s worth, I use both ACCEL and MSD components in my junk…and I too have used NGK plugs forever…they’re great….W

[cheveslakr]

I use standard blue streak points, never an issue.

[169indy]

ACCEL Points Ignition Tune-Up Kits 8104ACC

[X66 714]

I used to work for NAPA many moons ago. I always used the mostly standard Chevrolet items from Echlin with the exception of the points. I used the Corvette points as they had less of a bounce on the distributor machine. The cap is black with brass contacts. Here's the numbers you would need. I bought from Ebay this time so I could see where each piece was made.

CS89 points
RR175 condenser
RR165 cap
RR167R rotor

I still have points in all my cars & all are Echlin....Joe

[pdphilson]

Blue Streak points excellent spring tension DR2371XP and condensor DR70 --- prefer brass

terminal caps but understand aluminum conducts better

[169indy]

^^ Great Point here.

I have struggled with the Brass -vs- Alum Cap Contacts construction debate.

Traditionally I have Opted for the Brass and I think I have to Look at the Facts and change my preference:

"Aluminum has better electrical conductivity than brass. Specifically, aluminum's electrical conductivity is about 60% of copper's, while brass's conductivity ranges from 28% to 40%. This makes aluminum a more efficient conductor of electricity compared to brass, which is often used for its strength and corrosion resistance."

Well, the Four factors affecting Electrical resistance (i.e. Conductivity) are: Material, Cross sectional Area, Temperature, & Length.

These contact are not very Long LoL!

So I think the use of Brass was a countermeasure against the detrimental (Affects) of outdoor storage and the degradation of Alum contacts with the past practice of everyday use of autos back in the day which translated into reliability and therefore "Performance" Brass caps used. Brass Also would withstand the electrical surface pitting better than ALum over the Long haul of use:
With our Current creampuff storage and low use. ALum would be a better choice.

Ideas?

[WILMASBOYL78]

Originally Posted by X66 714

I used to work for NAPA many moons ago. I always used the mostly standard Chevrolet items from Echlin with the exception of the points. I used the Corvette points as they had less of a bounce on the distributor machine. The cap is black with brass contacts. Here's the numbers you would need. I bought from Ebay this time so I could see where each piece was made.

CS89 points
RR175 condenser
RR165 cap
RR167R rotor

I still have points in all my cars & all are Echlin....Joe

Thanks for all this great info...Tom

[pdphilson]

with china making most everything -- the aluminum caps sometimes are not as accurate as the older brass caps --- plug wire fitment --- ECHLIN made in the usa found on ebay and non-emission rotor that you can buy from heartbeat --- used them in my 67 SS427 -- starts excellent
just something to think about