Farmall Cub

Last evening I tried to change the points and condenser on Princess '55. Is there any trick for getting the condenser and point screw into the distributor? Special screwdriver or something.

It doesn't help that the planter is on - might have to remove that.

i use a stubby magnetic screwdriver

Ken,
I use an off-set screw driver like this:

Yep! Screw Starter Screwdriver:


The driver end is split, and the center section is spring loaded. You twist it, set the screw on it, then let it go. The spring loaded section holds the screw on the driver, while you get it started. Gotta have one of these in your tool box!

Bill

gitractorman wrote:Yep! Screw Starter Screwdriver:


The driver end is split, and the center section is spring loaded. You twist it, set the screw on it, then let it go. The spring loaded section holds the screw on the driver, while you get it started. Gotta have one of these in your tool box!

Bill

Bill - I can't tell from the photo if this fits between the oil filter and the distributor. Possibly I should assume from your post that it does. How long is it?

Thanks everyone, Ken

That's why I didn't want to swap out the points on a Cub that recently didn't want to start and run well (gasp, used emry cloth, all I had). An electricians split screwdriver should work, but they are usually a bit too long for the distributor.

Also highly recommend spreading newspaper, blanket or something to catch the screw if you drop it....

I remove the distributor, to change point and condenser. Mark the location of the distributor, in the housing, and the location of the rotor tip, and you don't have to re time it. Just put it back in, exactly how it was. Ed

PVF1799 wrote:...How long is it? ...

Ken,

They come in different lengths. I have one 6" and one 3".

ScottyD'sdad wrote:I remove the distributor, to change point and condenser. Mark the location of the distributor, in the housing, and the location of the rotor tip, and you don't have to re time it. Just put it back in, exactly how it was. Ed

This is the way I do it.

Bill

Bill Hudson wrote:

PVF1799 wrote:...How long is it? ...

Ken,

They come in different lengths. I have one 6" and one 3".

ScottyD'sdad wrote:I remove the distributor, to change point and condenser. Mark the location of the distributor, in the housing, and the location of the rotor tip, and you don't have to re time it. Just put it back in, exactly how it was. Ed

This is the way I do it.

Bill

Bill - Since you've met my Dad, you'll understand. His first words when I advised him to pull the distributor, "My whole life I've never done it that way"! Since he's not doing it - I think I'll do it my way

Ditch the points and condenser and go pertronix. That's what the next owner can find in my tractor

Last couple of times I just loosened the screw on the condenser and popped the old one out of the bracket and the new one in and retightened the bracket....I will look into one or Bill,s screwdrivers...In the past I've used a magnetic one....Dave

I just did the points/condenser on the 154 lo-boy, in about 15-minutes. Getting the gap set was my biggest problem, just because I kept turning the whole thing. Must have taken me 5 whole minutes just to get the gap set. I can't imagine pulling the distributor to do something so easy, it's just asking for trouble.

gitractorman wrote:I just did the points/condenser on the 154 lo-boy, in about 15-minutes. Getting the gap set was my biggest problem, just because I kept turning the whole thing. Must have taken me 5 whole minutes just to get the gap set. I can't imagine pulling the distributor to do something so easy, it's just asking for trouble.

Explain why pulling the distributor, is "just asking for trouble". It's a simple procedure, and makes attaching the points and condenser simple, too. Ed

Ed I pull the drive and all, that is the easiest way. You wast too much time doing it with it in the tractor, you have to re-time it anyway.
Boss

Ken:

I also use a Snap On starter screwdriver when I am doing the points and condenser when the mags are on the tractors. I used to use a stubby but that was a royal PITB .. unless you magnetized the blade and that only worked for a bit.

Tried to find that screwdriver elsewhere but the only place that I could get it was my local Snap-On O/O when he pulled up to me shop He only had the 6" .. going to have to get the 3".

Pulling the distributor or leaving it on the tractor is personal preference. I try not to pull the mags as that can cause issues, but again that is personal preference. There isn't a right or a wrong way to do it, just what works best for a specific person. When opinions are asked for that is what you are going to get .. opinions - and each has the same weight.