Question on replacing the points breaker plate ground strap

[John D.]

Re: Question on replacing the points breaker plate ground strap

Don Baker and I have talked about this often. He has told me the exact number of strands of copper wire. I think he said it was 60?
I will text him to confirm this. Don found some wire that has about 48-49 strands. This is what he uses.
Yes he solders the wire and not just crimp this.
Story: Back in 1963-1965 I hung out at at Grakiak Chevrolet. That's who sponsored me to go the GM training center.
Grabiaks had one mechanic-my friend Timmy who worked on the fuel cars. He had a midyear FI car that he could not get running.
He even tool a fuel unit from another car and put it on. Anyhow I was hanging out watching him when the owner told me to leave as Timmy was very irate.
To the point. It was the wire we are talking about. That was the issue.
I was outside the open garage door and hollered at him. Told him to swap out the distributor.
The fuel car then started right up. True story. John

I remember all that stuff gang. Like it was yesterday.

Original ground wire had 64 strands according to Don Baker. Wire currently available has a fraction of that.

[Joe L.]

Re: Question on replacing the points breaker plate ground strap

I started thinking about this some more. The fact that the spade end of the original lead was brass and the breaker plate terminal steel made me a little suspicious. So, I examined the breaker plate end on an original breaker plate very carefully. It turns out that the end terminal was SPOT-WELDED to the breaker plate. Of course, this would be an unlikely option for a field repair so soldering would likely be the attachment method utilized. As I mentioned previously, I can see no way that any sort of crimp attachment could be effected.

[Michael L.]

Re: Question on replacing the points breaker plate ground strap

OK. I was planning on leaving the original spot-welded terminal on the plate and crimping a new wire into it, so it was the wire attachment I was referring to because I was going to use a non-factory replacement wire. I ordered the NAPA replacement and I'll see if it has the terminal on it when it comes. If it does, I'll grind off the original and gently tack weld on the new one.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Question on replacing the points breaker plate ground strap

OK. I was planning on leaving the original spot-welded terminal on the plate and crimping a new wire into it, so it was the wire attachment I was referring to because I was going to use a non-factory replacement wire. I ordered the NAPA replacement and I'll see if it has the terminal on it when it comes. If it does, I'll grind off the original and gently tack weld on the new one.

Mike

Mike------


I think the aftermarket replacement wire lead will have brass spade terminals on both ends.

[William F.]

Re: Question on replacing the points breaker plate ground strap

Is this wire necessary if you have converted to breakerless electronic system?