Re: @#$%&@*&^ condensors!!!!!

Posted by Ray C on Sep. 24, 1998 at 07:56:47

In Reply to: @#$%&@*&^ condensors!!!!!
posted by Steve Watrous on Sep. 23, 1998 at 21:30:54

: The first year with our 31 coupe we logged around 3000 miles the second summerwe went about 1000 and burned ? out a condensor.Put in another (new Echlin from NAPA), went 20 miles and it died.Replaced it with one of Snyder's premium condensors,got 200 miles on that one.Back to Echlin (with dist heat shield now) got 1500 miles.Burned another, new Echlin---200 miles.Can't figure it, but can now change GD condensor during an Indy 500 pit stop.Engine is rebuilt B, A head, does not overheat, running a 160 Deg thermostat.I'm really puzzuled.Have any of you had similar experiences?Sure would like to find what's going on here.
: Best regards,
: Steve
Hi Steve, I believe that you have been given good advice. I also think you need to do a very thorough inspection of the entire ignition system.Look for possible short circuits to ground also. As the condenser is supposed to be charging between firing times, a short can prevent charging or discharge it.Very often condenser problems are fixed by changing the upper and lower plates of the distributor. Since the condenser doesn't move with the points as you advance and retard, things loosen up between the two plates or often the insulation on the pigtail fails.Notice that time between your problems varies probably meaning that the trouble is intermittent and may not be present as you inspect.You have to shake things and wiggle stuff as look for high resistance as carla suggests.
My Dad's Model A once had a pigtail worn thorough which shorted to ground only when you advanced the spark past half way.He chased the problem as "the truck stalls when you try to go fast" !
best of luckRay