Need points help

[BrwnRecluse]

car is a 1978, had it 8 days today. will run okay for a while, a bit of stumble to start, but it is not a restored show car by any means. Kinda rough, but MY toy now. anyway, was running fine this morning untilo I filled it with gas, then barely got back to the house.
Looking in the distributor, I have one set of points. Imagine my surprise to find the 'spare' set in the glove box is a mrror image, and the little bag included all the screws. Is this a partial cause for my problem?


I'm about to re-install this set, but does it have another wire that goes to it? This is the first car with points I've had since high school a long long time ago.

[maytag]

Did you check your ignition timing?
On the dual points setup, one set was used for start-up, and then the other once the car was at temp. Most (or at least many) of us who ran with points would convert to just a single set. but when you do that, you need to make sure you're timed properly to that set!

So I would suggest first things first: set your ignition timing with a timing light. Then, if you still have a problem, let's look into it.

[majicwrench]

Your timing didn't change while you were filling the gas tank. Checking it would be fine, but evern off a few degrees is not going to make car barely run.
Nothing wrong with just running one set of points. I would noit try to install other set. They should open a small amount when the dist cam turns, so put car in 4th gear, give it a shove till cam is on rubbing block of point and see if you have a gap.
That white item that the red wire goes to in second pic looks like a ballast resistor, that is NOT where is should go. There again, that did not change while yoiu filled tank. It may not be correct but it may not be your immediate issue.
Can you describe how car runs in more detail?? Will it idle?? Will it cruise OK??
Keith

[BrwnRecluse]

Thanks for the replies. Car will run great with a stumble on acceleration from stop, then half hour later barely run.
Took the extra point set back off, as this one has been converted to single points. tweaked the dist. a bit and the engine smoothed right out and ran its best yet. Next question: my timing light powers off the battery. Is there a place I can connect to under the hood, or do I run jumper cables to the rear?
I know nothing about that resistor on the firewall. I've got bikes with points, but like I said this car is a learning experience.
But when it runs right, it's a blast!

[maytag]

you can power the timing light off the stud on the starter motor, or just about anything else that has 12v under the hood (back of the alternator, for instance)

And while Majic is correctly looking for things that change while you're fueling, it is 'possible' that temperature and other conditions have changed simultaneously and independently, and I find that sometimes it is easiest to follow the symptoms, and the easy stuff first.

So get that timing right, and then see what you get. if it does it again, check your timing again immediately, while it is acting up.

[majicwrench]

"Barely run" is not very descriptive. When it "barely runs" will it idle?? Will it run wide open?? Will it run if you pump the gas?
Keith