Condenser testing?
 

So let's say the churn shuts off a bit when your driving merrily down the road, then fires up and runs. The car does this a few times before shutting off for good and you had to walk home for the tow strap and a second driver.
You have clean filtered non-watered fuel
You have compression
You have [had] timing, [EZ Starting] good running.

Now, DOA, you have no spark when the points are energized with the key on 'ON' and opened and closed manually. Thinking 'Condenser' on a modern upper plate fitted with 1970 Ford V-8 points and condenser that the condenser might be going to ground.

So I need to poke around with a test light.

Q. Can I run her for a few minutes with the condenser out of the system? Sure, why not? Probably got wet in the drizzle and car washing after the parade.

As cheap as they are, I guess it's over to NAPA. Thanx Tom.

skip.

Re: Condenser testing?
 

You're spark would likely be too weak to fire the plug without the condensor. Easiest way to test is replace it with a known good condensor.

Re: Condenser testing?
 

What is the next easiest way?

I bought a box full of condensors at a swap meet. How can the condensors be checked?

Thanks.

Neal

Re: Condenser testing?
 

Modern Points??

Likely suspect is the lower plate to upper plate connection.
Check that first.

Re: Condenser testing?
 

This is not the next easiest way! You need a capacitor checker and a heat gun to check and be sure they are good.

Re: Condenser testing?
 

Thanks.

Re: Condenser testing?
 

Yeah, condensers are cheap enough,

Re: Condenser testing?
 

"Q. Can I run her for a few minutes with the condenser out of the system? Sure, why not? Probably got wet in the drizzle and car washing after the parade".

No. The condenser does two things:1 Helps collapse the magnetic field in the coil windings. 2 acts like a shock absorber in reducing the arc(spark) at the points.

Re: Condenser testing?
 

skip
To overcome this problem again! mount a extra condenseron the coil bracket Use a jumper clip on the end of the wire on the condenser. When your car quits ,get out and hook the clip onto the post on the coil and its in the system . No muse no fus. and you are back on the road . go home and change out the condenser in the dizzy. Lots easer at home in the safty of your garage ,Than replacing along the road

Re: Condenser testing?
 

Cool idea, hanging the spare, ready to use condenser. Thanks.

skip.

Re: Condenser testing?
 

Skip, Been there, Done that! It happened with a 51 ford V8 many moons ago. Only I had dented the condenser with the blade of a screwdriver. It ran, then it stopped, then it ran again. Drove me nuts! I finally "Shotgunned" the problem and bought a tuneup kit and replaced everything under the distributor cap. I noticed the dent in the capacitor as I took it off. It ran fine after replacement.
Terry