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10-09-2020, 07:32 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Corning NY
Posts: 244
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It was the Condenser
About two weeks ago I had to abort a Model A tour because my car was sputtering and just not driveable.
At the same time, I replaced the exhaust manifold and intake manifold gaskets with the copper shrouded gaskets. I also took the time to thoroughly clean the carburetor ( I mean spotless). Re-assembled. Car had no power. Backfired. Sputtered. I checked for vacuum leaks, float height, float valve, junk in the gas tank, point gap, cleaned and gapped plugs, replaced broken point post....on and on. I decided to dial a friend..... He said it sounded like the condenser. My reply was that it only had about 300 miles on it. He said try replacing it...if it is good put in the bag for a spare. Meanwhile I also read on this WEBSITE that due to a failing condenser our colleague had the same issue as myself. Got home tonight. Took about 5 minutes to swap out condensers and whoopee!!! problem solved. an $8.00 part was making my A not road worthy for 2 weeks. I learned a lot. If this happens again, I will start with the condenser. Takeaways: 1. ALways have a spare condenser with you. This seems to be a weakness in the ignition system 2. Start with the easy fixes first, even though you may have just replaced the points, rotor, condenser, etc. Tomorrow I am going with "Molly" on a beautiful Autumn tour with my Model A club. Thanks to this WEBSITE and help from my friend (Jim Morris) to figure this one out. I was stumped. |
10-09-2020, 07:43 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: michigan
Posts: 1,126
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Re: It was the Condenser
Congratulations, it is super a great feeling to finally figuring out a problem as well as the leaning!
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10-09-2020, 07:54 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 585
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Re: It was the Condenser
Great report - thanks for sharing.
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10-09-2020, 08:46 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,159
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Re: It was the Condenser
Get one of the A&L burnout proof ones, I replaced a lot of condensers till I put the A&L one in over 30 years ago, still same one
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10-09-2020, 09:08 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
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Re: It was the Condenser
IMO, there is no point carrying a spare condenser with you unless you know it is good. We know how too many of the condensers available today are no good out of the box so carrying a new one is of little comfort.
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I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. |
10-09-2020, 09:12 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 640
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Re: It was the Condenser
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I never leave home without a spare timing gear....a roadside adventure I can do without ! |
10-10-2020, 06:13 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,410
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Re: It was the Condenser
That fiber washer shown here: https://www.brattons.com/copper-plat...ng-washer.html
should be "super glued to tab of lower plate for easier installation." Especially at roadside! |
10-10-2020, 07:38 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,131
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Re: It was the Condenser
Thanks for your report! Many ask for help and then never hear back. Now with all of the work done you should have many happy miles ahead, ENJOY!
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Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done |
10-10-2020, 10:08 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
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Re: It was the Condenser
Yep, stick known good one on the coil [ unattached] so its easy to hook up if one fails on the road.
Any condenser today can be junk, doesn't make any difference who makes it today. |
10-10-2020, 10:51 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
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Re: It was the Condenser
If you lift a spark plug strap and watch the spark you can usually tell in a few seconds if its an ignition problem. Do it when its running good so you get a feel for what its supposed to look like.
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"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool." |
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