The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Points and condensor interchangeability

Gentlemen,

Are all 216/235/261 points and condensers the same for both 6 and 12 volt distributors? I am trying to navigate the Summit webpage to get a condenser and the only hit I get lists a Standard DR60 to fit only 261's. An old sample I have has a part number of DR22.

Any one have parts numbers handy for points and condenser for a 1958 235?

I need some schooling here as I have various 6 and 12 volt applications and it would be nice to have a clear understanding of parts compatibility/interchangeability.

Thanks,

Paul

Neither points nor condensers are voltage specific.
The capacitor (condenser) is built for a voltage range (probably 25V) and rated by storage capacity in Micro Farads.
You only have to worry about the points and condenser physically fitting the distributor.

These parts are available at local suppliers. No need to order from Summit or any other place and pay shipping.

Thanks guys. So then all Delco-Remy inline distributors use the same rotors and condensers?

Thanks for the sourcing information Charlie, I was trying to get to the $100 threshold for free shipping at Summit.

Not rotors

No, your engine probably came with a tall cap and tall rotor. If you have a NAPA nearby, or anybody really, just make sure to ask for points, condenser, cap, rotor for a 1958 235. I know NAPA will take the time to get you the right one. Others probably too.

I have a love/hate relationship with Summit. It is suspiciously like they have minimum wage workers typing in information that they don't understand. When calling them, I get this suspicion confirmed every single time. I ask them right away if I can talk to the next tier of technical support. If I do not go to this trouble, I can expect the parts to be the wrong ones. I am right or wrong 50% of the time.

Lots of really good auto parts stores struggling in your area due to the RockAuto and Summits of this world. I use them, but I am very careful how and when.

Points from 1933-62 interchange, except 1941-48 which had a polarity reversing switch for the points, they used a different set.

Thanks for the information. I did a little searching and found at least 5 different Delco-Remy part numbers for 1933-62 (excepting 1941-48) points. What are the differences? Here is a sample of what I think will work (these are all ignition points): 1911119, 1855720, 1924571, 1882965, and 1944375. Also, what exactly is different on the polarity reversing points?

Decided to source my parts list at my local guys instead of Summit...they are a little more expensive, but much more helpful.

High distributer caps and low distributor caps?

You want the high ones. The Standard Motor Products numbers for each of the items you mention above are listed in the rebuild article. From there, any Auto Parts can cross reference.

http://devestechnet.com/Home/Project1959235

Chevrolet made subtle changes to points through the years. some are two piece, some have a solid contact surface, some have a hole in the center of the contact surface, etc... Any time there was any change in the part Chev gave it a new part number, although they will all interchange as a set.
As for the polarity reversing switch. In an attempt to make points last longer Chev added a switch to the starter linkage which switched the direction the current flowed through the points every time you starter the engine. This was an attempt to keep metal transfer from one contact to the other.
The distributor also needed to be different, so the points plate could be insulated from ground. The reversing switch decided which side of the points would be grounded.
Of course the switch ended up to be more of a problem then changing points once in a while and was discontinued.

Although secretly I use the cheapest vendor that can give me the same quality of product, I try to use Standard Motor Products part numbers because they really step up when it comes to supplying what we need for our vintage trucks. Also, they are so popular that any auto parts store anywhere can interchange with their part numbers.

The whole name of the game is getting our friends here back on the road as quick as possible.

Match the Cap and Rotor. Tall cap, with a tall rotor. Short Cap with a short Rotor. Blue Streak points and condenser are common here in Utah. Local FLAPS seem to have them in stock. Standard parts show often as well. Is there a brand that is made in the US? I think not anymore. I think the available points are all vented these days, but that does not seem to make much if any difference. They all seem to fit into the place intended for them. The reverse polarity system from above is new to me. I never saw a set with an insulator, learn something every day.

Thanks for the intel.

Yeah, I try to learn at least one thing new every day. Not hard with this site.

Interesting to see what other equipment used Delco-Remy ignition components back in the day.

std ignition blue streak points&condenser cap & rotor are the same until the cap &rotor went to tall style 54 to 62. the points and condenser are the same points p/n dr2227x, cond p/n dr60, rotor p/n dr308, cap p/n dr 428. use in my 54 for 40 years they still make em or napa has echlin which is made by std also i think most auto parts stores will have em in stock. the micro farad rating is diffrerent in the dr22 condenser use the dr 60 has a higher micro farad rating points will last longer the condenser absorbs the juice that isn't used needed to make the contact work higher compression requires more juice to make a spark these old motors are low c.r.