Quick Points Plate Thread Repair

[edthetermite]

If you happen to strip out your threads that hold the points plate  in place there is a quick temporary/permanent repair option. The two sided hexagonal stud that threads into the "timing barrel" can be modified to allow a few extra threads to engage. Put the stud in a vise and with a die grinder carefully remove about 1/8" of the stud just above the threads. Clean the new shoulder up with a file. This effectively creates more depth in the area of the stud washer and plate thickness. The stud will be shorter on the other end that the cover screws into but this can compensated with one or two flat washers. I used red loctite and just a small amount of pressure when reinstalling the stud.
It has to be remembered that if you over torque on the points cover you are twisting the stud underneath at the same time. The aluminum threads in the 'timing barrel' will fail long before the steel threads in the top of the stud. Live and learn.