Substitute for points grease?

[nick2ny]

Howdy--I have a 1980 honda c70 that's clacking a bit from the points cover--i want to file/gap/time it this weekend, and would like to grease the felt as well.

I have white lithium grease, motor oil, Phil Wood grease, dupont silicone grease, etc. Do I really need points grease as well? Any advice (or a little points grease to 10009!) much appreciated.

[anotherguy]

Do the points have a wick? If so a drop (not too much) of 3in1 oil every thousand miles or so. If not a dab of the Phil Wood grease would be my choice out of what you listed.

[nick2ny]

Originally Posted by anotherguy

Do the points have a wick? If so a drop (not too much) of 3in1 oil every thousand miles or so. If not a dab of the Phil Wood grease would be my choice out of what you listed.

Of course! 3 in 1 is what i use in the oil cups of my 30's GE room fan to keep --wait for it--the WICK oiled up so the fan turns smoothly.

Thanks man.

[drhach]

Maybe try to find an electronic ignition kit. They come with "greaseless" points.

[Bill Harris]

A light oil volatilizes, white grease slings off. Not good for points.

Get sope proper points grease--

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

[mark1305]

If it has a felt wick, a drop or two of ATF (the plain ole cheap Type F red stuff) will also work fine. And with less volatiles, should last a little longer than a thinner light oil like 3n1.

[nick2ny]

Originally Posted by mark1305

If it has a felt wick, a drop or two of ATF (the plain ole cheap Type F red stuff) will also work fine. And with less volatiles, should last a little longer than a thinner light oil like 3n1.

If I owned an AT

[DaveBall]

You don't need much. Just offer to check the ATF on a friends car, wipe the dipstick on your point wick and you are good for at least a thousand miles.

Somehow, the above sounds dirty.

[mark1305]

Actually I like that that approach for those who might not have an AT nor ATF on hand.

ATF is a "miracle" lube for some things, though. The carbed BMW F 650s like mine are known to go through radiator fans more quickly than most other components (not counting water pumps). The widely used fix is to simply drill a 1/16 hole at the back of the motor and angled into the rear bearing/shaft interface. Use a hypo syringe or true needle oiler (same thing in brass & stainless steel) to inject 1-2 drops per year directly into the bearing. Put a duct tape bandaid over the hole until next year. I have never read of anyone doing this subsequently having a fan motor failure.

Lots of us F 650 riders also like ATF for chain lube with every gas fill up or every other. One drop per link-roller from a salveaged nose drop/nasal spray bottle. It both lubricates chain and sprockets and flings itslef and all dirt off reducing wear even more and keeping the chain pretty clean. 24K miles for a chain & sprocket set is the expected minimum. Some have made over 50k miles.

ATF - the Wonder Fluid. (I wonder what else its good for? Hint - see what concoctions serious gun shooters use it in)

[Bill Harris]

Hmmm, I've always regarded ATF as a "hydraulic fluid" suitable for slush-boxes. Haven't thought of it as a wonder-lube.

Learn something new everyday. :)

One thing I know is that a mixture of ATF and acetone make a great penetrating oil...

[Kamakura Kid]

ATF is good for keeping underhood rubber stuff looking good and to keep them from drying out. Put a little on a rag and wipe the stuff down from time to time. ATF is designed to be used in an environment with rubber gaskets and seals, so ATF won't eat thorugh rubber like your normal petroleum product would.

That said, would I use ATF on a latex condom? I don't think so...

I've also heard in the pre-Seafoam days, folks sometimes put a bit of ATF in the gas tank to get rid of carbon buildup. Never tried that myself, though.