OK, I have to admit the crack to my skull was probably much worse than I've been willing to admit. At first it wasn't too disquieting...So I'd watch the same movie three or four times before I finally figured out that I'd seen it before...like the evening before! Just made life a little more interesting.

A lot of uncertainly had flooded into my life, and now I'm trying to fix a problem with my Volvo. I installed a 'stock' points and condensor system today, intending to set it all up and then remove the distributor for a 'spare' in case the electronic ignition pukes on me again. Most of you know that I don't get around well, and I've been driving high up in the mountains on my way to and from Dad's house. Heaven help me if the car quits up there!

Anyway, here's the problem: I installed new points and condensor, but I'm having a problem with the points welding themselves shut. Believe me, the engine won't run if the points don't open.

Previously, I had scavenged parts from a VW .050 distributor (same guts) to get the car to move while I was waiting for the Pertronix setup to arrive. It did the same thing, and I just figured that the condensor was bad. Well, $36.00 later, brand new parts are doing the same thing. Today I had to run a rescue errand for a local guy who ran out of gas out in the boonies, and the car ran fine for about 20 miles, then died completely. I opened up the distributor, and sure enough, the points were closed. After resetting them, I didn't have any more trouble all the way to his van and all the way home again. (Note to myself, TJ owes me for 3 gallons of gas.)

BTW: I can't get the Pertronix unit to work, either. Zero spark. I'll worry about that later, if I remember!

What effect could I expect if I installed a resistor block on the coil energizing wire? Lower voltage should keep the points from melting together, right? But what effect would that lower voltage have on my coil output? I'm also thinking of using the points to trigger a solid-state relay, so I'd have full voltage at the coil but only a low trigger voltage at the points.

I have the MSD-6A that seems to have malfunctioned (No way to test it), along with a Crane reluctor system, and now the Pertronix unit too. One of those three should work. Either that or I'm forgetting some small part, like the rotor!

I used to know all this stuff by heart, but today I have a hard time remembering what different parts are called.

Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Thanks!

Steve