Welcome to the Wonderful World of Wedges [:D]
As for removing the points;
Remove the two springs carefully and remove the two retarding weights.
This will give you slightly more room.
If necessary turn the engine to give better access to the points.
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<font color="blue"><i>1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, currently being restored)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)</font id="blue">
<b>[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]<u><b><font size="2"><font color="red">My Weblog</font id="red"></font id="size2"></b></u>[/url]</b></i></center>