PAMCO or points?

[XSsesive50]

I just bought a 1978 XS650 Special with 20,000 miles on it. It wouldnt start when I first got it. I cleaned the carbs, put new gas in and installed new MikesXS pod air filters and she fired up on the 4th kick (electric starter doesnt work at all). As I let her warm up I noticed the left exhaust sounded strong with good pressure but the right was sputtering a bit with less exhaust pressure. I know the carbs are good, all jets clean and floats are at Clymer manual spec. I checked the timing chain adjustment and it was flush as per the manual also. My question is about points. Rotating the crank and setting the indicator mark with the "F", I set both points at .014 and adjusted the timing with a light tester. I started her up and had more sputtering and weak exhaust pressure on the right side again. I also HAD SOME HARSH KICKBACK! I ordered new points, point plate and all new wiring and screws. Until they come in I am second guessing myself and wondering if I shouldnt just go with A PAMCO set up? If so, which should I choose for a weekly driver, about 50 miles each week?

 

[mrkil]

I love my pamco starts first kick everytime.

 

[XSsesive50]

That's exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[5twins]

Have you synced the carbs? Points can be made to work well but you really should be using a timing light to accurately set the timing. The static method you used is OK to get things close but isn't totally accurate.

 

[XSsesive50]

5twins, the carbs are synched. I'll try a timing strobe and see what I get. Thanks.

 

[XSsesive50]

I really don't want to mess with the points. If the PAMCO ignition is reliable I will go with it.

 

[XSsesive50]

Does the missing/weak right side exhaust sound like a timing issue?

 

[aaronrkelly]

Points are stupid simple.....my bike is points and is a 1 kick starter.....kicks easy....never has left me stranded.

I doubt your problem is the points....and if its not, buying a PAMCO isnt going to do much except for give you the potential for one more thing to trouble shoot.

 

[Thunderbutt]

You sound as though you are quite competent. While your waiting for new parts you might take a trip to Sears, NAPA or local Homie Depot and buy a compression gauge. Do a compression check on each cylinder after you set the valves. This will give you a good indication if the rings or valves are worn and one cylinder has better compression than the other. Will give you a better baseline where to go next.
As far as the PAMCO, when I bought my bike I purchased new points, condensers etc. When you compare the price for them a PACO unit isn't that much more expensive. And, you set it once and forget about it.

 

[XSsesive50]

I agree that points are simple, but not being a mechanic and this being my first bike with points, you can see my frustration. The PAMCO, once set, is pretty much no maintenance as opposed to points which will eventually need replacing.

Thunderbutt, I will get a compression guage tomorrow and post my results.

 

[jd750ace]

I'll take my Pamco with E-advance. Much stronger running and reliable starting. I'm using a Dyna coil, not a Mike's package deal.

 

[gggGary]

I swap em to Pamco (3 so far, 2 with e-advance) I like Accel 140403 coils.
Like 5 twins says points take some fiddling.
Watch the points, if one or both make bright sparks you have bad condenser(s)

 

[Conrad Russell]

Mine was a tci,now that I,m running the Pamco the bike fires up easier(lower voltage needed to start)and the bike runs stronger than ever.I highly recommend the set it and forget it Pamco system.

 

[XSsesive50]

Tonight I took a second look at the points and discovered that the left side point holding screw is stripped. I believe that it was letting the gap close and may be part of the problem. Even though the right exhaust is the one showing weak timing and pressure. I checked for spark at both plugs and have good spark. New points and other parts should arrive Wednesday and I will buy a timing light and compression guage to check those things. I am going to give the new points a shot but if there is an electrical issue I am going to buy the PAMCO. Incidentally, I also have a 1975 XS650 that was totally rebuilt including electronics and I have no problems with it.

 

[XSsesive50]

120 compression in both cylinders.

 

[gggGary]

Points sets are often opposite the factory L-R positions. loose screw is part of what makes them hard to time you loosen a screw, the ground goes poor and that cylinder stops firing.

120 on a recently run engine is getting kinda low if the carbs were held open, at least they are even.

 

[XSsesive50]

Ok I installed the new points, timing plate and adjusted/set everything to spec. Didn't set timing yet but will do that Monday. The bike started on the 3rd kick and runs better but STILL weak right side exhaust pressure and a bit of missing on the right cylinder. My next approach is a new condensor and new coils.

 

[rebel542]

New coils is your best spent money. The stockers are very weak. Did you say you set your points gap at .014" while the F mark was lined up? If so thats a no no.

 

[XSsesive50]

Sorry for the confusion. My first post description of how I set the points doesn't sound right but they were done correctly, by the manual.

 

[Tomterrific]

Remove the mixture screw from the right carb (weak cylinder). Spray carb cleaner inside to blast any errant speck of idle jet plugging dirt back to the float bowl.

Time spent: 30 seconds.

Did this fix the weak cylinder? If so, drain the float bowl through a clean paper towel to catch the dirt so you can cuss at it. The strained 50 cents worth of gas should be reused.

Tom