71 Distributor question

[Michael G.]

My base plate does not have the mount for the lobe sweep pad. There is a small rectangular slot on the plate with small burrs around the edges leading me to believe it once existed there before Bubba got to it. I will get a replacement plate provided the sweep was not eliminated at some point in production. Any thoughts? Thanks, Mike

[Duke W.]

Re: 71 Distributor question

If you're talking about the lubrication felt wick (later a polyurethane foam cylinder) I believe one of the Corvette parts houses offers a replacement, but I've never found one through the major electrical replacement part manufacturers like Standard Motor Products, nor have I found replacement breaker plates - the one major single point distributor part that does not appear to be available.

Duke

[William C.]

Re: 71 Distributor question

You don't really need a new plate, the slot is for a nylon clip that holds the wiper, just snaps into the hole.

[Michael G.]

Re: 71 Distributor question

Thank you Duke and Bill. The only memory I have from the points and condensor days was a two prong metal fork type tiny bracket that was fused to the points plate and the felt was forced between the prongs.
Thanks for the info. Mike

[Wayne M.]

Re: 71 Distributor question

If you're talking about the lubrication felt wick (later a polyurethane foam cylinder) I believe one of the Corvette parts houses offers a replacement, but I've never found one through the major electrical replacement part manufacturers like Standard Motor Products, nor have I found replacement breaker plates - the one major single point distributor part that does not appear to be available.

Duke

Michael -- here's an NOS plate with points (pkg. originally had the 2 clamshell shields [viz. 2 extra screw holes]).

Notice the nylon mount for the foam wick cylinder, which is missing (in this case). You just squeeze the 2 forks of the clip to remove or insert in the rectangle of the baseplate, as Bill says. Don't know whether this part still checks out in the General's supply.

[Michael G.]

Re: 71 Distributor question

Thanks Wayne. The picture helps very much. Paragon offers the cam lubricating wick w/ mount. No picture in the catalog. I'll get one until I have exhausted all efforts to find NOS. Thanks again, Mike