Bosch points failure - rubbing block breaks off.

[EdHolly]

With the trip odo just clicking over to 000 after a 1000 mile journey over 3 days encompassing some of the wilderness areas of Australia's Snowy mountains on the NSW and Victorian border and just 25 miles from home, my little Elan's Bosch distributor's points decided to fail.

A quick check with the cap off showed the points' rubbing block was not there, and despite having fuel pumps, coils and a myriad other spares, dammit no spare dizzy or points.

Photo shows the recalcitrant component.

2 questions ... first, is it possible in a series 1 Elan to change the points in situ - and secondly has anyone ever had this problem occur ?

As my mate, Rod who also has a series 1 Elan (won the concourse in NSW this year) and who took his 911 on the run said, its about time you converted to electronic ignition ... might just take your advice Rod ...

[rgh0]

Hi Ed

Yes you can change the points in situ but even by the side of the road it is easier to pull the dizzy, replace the points and refit it.

I have run a Bosch distributor and points in my Elan for many years. Never had points follower block failure. Were the points original Bosch or a reproduction? The version I use are from an early 911 which has a heavier spring and is good for 9000 rpm. Unfortunately Bosch does not make this version anymore. I tracked a couple of NOS down on Ebay recently and combined with what I have enough spares to last my lifetime !

For a road car electronic ignition is a good idea and I have that on both my PLus 2 and Esprit but i still carry a spare set of points in the glove box

[alan.barker]

i once had the heal/rubbing block break the same, lucas dizzy with Austin Cooper S points.
Alan