1959 Cadillac Ignition Points and Condenser? Or Something Else...

[Joshua]

Hello Everyone,

I received acquired my fourth 1959 Cadillac and am restoring it. Upon opening the distributor, I saw a combination points and condenser set. I have never seen anything like this before. Every 1959 Cadillac distributor I have opened has had separate points and condensers. I have attached a few pictures. Does anyone know what I have?

Thanks,
Josh

[Daryl Chesterman]

Delco made them and called them a uniset.  Other manufacturers copied them also.  Doing a quick internet search, I found that Standard Ignition parts made them, NAPA has them (made by Echlin), and there are probably others.  When they work, they are faster to install than the points and condenser as separate units.  I purchased a Delco set to put in the 1959 Deville that I am working on, and they didn't work—I had to put in the separate points and condenser and it fired right up.  I used to use the uniset in a 1973 pickup that I owned and they always worked for me.  Yours appear to have been made by Sorenson although I couldn't find the "uniset" version online.

     Sorenson points:  https://www.ebay.com/p/17003653084

     AC Delco uniset:  https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=Delco+uniset&_sacat=0

     NAPA Echlin:  https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHCS791?impressionRank=1

Daryl Chesterman

[35-709]

I had the same frustrating experience with a '60 CDV, car would not run with the Uniset, put the old points and condenser back in and it ran fine.  Seem to remember I had the same experience with another car but not sure.  I always use the separate points and condenser anymore, if I haven't already converted that car to electronic ignition.

[CadillacFanBob]

I have used the Uniset in a lot of GM cars when working for automobile repair shop and never had an issue with them, BUT never used them in GM cars from 1957 to about 1966 model years. I would be curious to see why they would not work the early years cars. Does anyone have any speculation of why they did not work for you?

Bob

[Daryl Chesterman]

In my case where it did not work in the 1959 Deville, I think the uniset that I installed was defective.  I had used the uniset many times in a 1973 Chevrolet pickup and never had a problem.

Daryl Chesterman

[Joshua]

Thanks everyone for the information. I was able to add the separate points and condenser back. The car runs nicely now.

Thanks, Josh

[fishnjim]

If it's the right set, there's no difference than the separate kind.  They just attached the condenser so they had less parts. ie, Cost reduction.  Plus there's no resistance and possible loosening of the condenser connection.
If it's bad it's bad not because of the design.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

There really does not seem to be ANY reason a "uni-set" wouldn't work, but I've tried them over the yeas on several Cads (66, 72, 73) and never had them work successfully for any length of time. I gave up trying to guess why but they did not work well.
Greg Surfas

[Lexi]

Gets me thinking about the old Self Starter article (by John Washburn?) on the high failure rate of condensers. I had a uni-set on my Cad which lasted quite a while. When the points began to wear I changed it out to a regular, split set. It was then that I realized I had to scrounge a mounting screw for the new, separate condenser, which had been long discarded by a previous owner. Something to consider. I don't recall my replacement set coming with an additional screw. Clay/Lexi

[cadillacmike68]

I like the uniset P&C because it is much easier to install. Take out the old set, match the threads on the adjuster of the new set with the old set, put it in and it always starts. Then you can easily adjust them with your dwell meter and 1/4 allen wrench while the car is running.

You probably got a defective set. I've had a few. I'll use the other ones if I can't find a uniset, but its so much easier with a uniset.