Could wet/dry 'sandpaper' cause short with points?

The way points and ignition systems works is sort of like this:

When the points CLOSE, the current flows through the COIL primary windings and a magnetic field is built up. This magnetic field surrounds the thousands of turns of fine wire in the coil. The build-up is relatively SLOW in terms of the speed of electricity.

When the points OPEN, the magnetic field is no longer supported by the current flow and it collapses RAPIDLY… it is this falling magnetic field that generates the spark needed to fire the plugs.

So, if you found some contamination in your POINTS, it probably interfered with the OPEN/CLOSE cycles mentioned above. No battery current flow, no spark!!

The condensor’s job is to take the ‘roughness’ out of the current flow starts/stops… it preserves the life of the points.

This is a basic explanation and does not cover all the nuances of keeping the spark plugs happy.

Have fun!! duey

I only use sand paper as a last resort on points.

I much prefer to use a proper ignition hone or simple coarse paper.. like thick brown paper bag.

Sand paper leaves many pits and grooves/gouges ont he points surface.. actually reducing the surface area for conduction. when you reduce the surface area, you make the remaining surface area conduct that much more current ( per unit area ).. also.. sand paper can leave microscopic pieses of grit.. garnete.. whatever..e tc.. if this material keps the points from closing good.. you get arcing and burning.. this causes pits.. etc, and rough gouges that also prevent good surface area contace.

Any time i clean points with a file.. or if in emergency, sand paper.. i always still pull clean paper thru the points to remove any leftover debri... I I do use sand paper.. i try to use an ultra fine.. like.. 1000 or 2000.. anything more and you might as well remove them and rub them acrosss the roadway or concrete sidewalk..

Check yer condensor... intermittant and short runs, especially with points burning usually indicted band condensor.

One last thing.. when clening points.. try not to remove much metal ifa any at all.. the surface metal is polished and harder than the base metal of the cotacts.. plus you don't want excess metalic particles littering the insides of your distribuitor.. etc..

soundguy