David,
My TR6 also came delivered with an installed Allison system and I have never
used traditional points on it either. I have limited experience with points on
a Spitfire MKIII during high school many moons ago. My understanding is that
there is no modification to the breaker plate that is required and it is
"easy" to switch back to points in an emergency. At least that is what I read
in
posts from either this archive or the TR Register's archive a while back. You
got me wondering now. The Bentley main section does not seem to have a decent
picture for us. The front Driver's Handbook section of the Bentley shows a dark
image of the points in Fig 81 on page 29. Rather difficult to see in my
edition. So I dug out a very old owner's handbook with the same picture but
much
clearer. In my small handbook it is Fig 69 on page 52. It appears the numbered
arrows in the picture do not match the numbered descriptions in the text, but
this should give you an idea of the arrangement of the breaker set and the
condenser mounting. Turns out that I am missing the adjusting screw for the
points so if my Allison were to die I would be stuck.
>From the TRF Vol 2 on page 265 it appears the condenser wire and the low
tension lead wire from the side of the dizzy attach to the small spring post of
the contact points via the small nut. (Members with points please
confirm...thanks!) There will be a locating peg in the breaker plate to align
the points
set, followed by the adjusting screw to hold them down. There should be a
small
screw near the square cut out in the breaker plate to secure the condenser.
The condenser hold down screw is the one I used to mount the lower leg bracket
for the Allison system. The PO must have lost the adjusting screw for the
points.
I noticed in the Moss & Vicky Brit catalogs the breaker plate assembly is not
numbered and at least not available from them. TRF book lists p/n LU54419792
for dizzys with vacuum retard only. There is a different p/n (503684) for
early dizzys with both vacuum retard and vacuum advance. I do not know if they
are
available though from TRF. You may find a used breaker plate base from a
member willing to let it go.
I was able to find several years ago a digital copy of the XR700 installation
manual on the internet as I knew nothing about how it was installed. I will
email it to you off list. This should at least give you some background on how
to install and trouble shoot it. Be aware that the manual talks about SEVERAL
other types of installations on several other types of dizzys. I seem to
remember the "universal" instructions apply the best.
As for adjusting the traditional points plate, filing the points, setting the
gap (0.015") or better the dwell angle, I think other members will be able to
provide more insight from first hand experience. Bentley should at least get
you close enough to get back home. Cheers!
Michael Rankin
1971 TR6 CC 61212 L
Louisiana, USA
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