The Ford Barn

skip · 07-05-2010, 11:38 AM

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.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-05-2010, 11:41 AM

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.

Neal · 07-05-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

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.

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

Bruce Adams · 07-05-2010, 08:36 PM

Modern Points??

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

Mike V. Florida · 07-06-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal

What is the next easiest way?
I bought a box full of condensors at a swap meet. How can the condensors be checked?

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

Neal · 07-07-2010, 07:38 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

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

Thanks.

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-07-2010, 08:37 PM

Yeah, condensers are cheap enough,

Bob A. · 07-07-2010, 09:54 PM

"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.

tuneman · 07-07-2010, 10:06 PM

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

skip · 07-08-2010, 06:10 AM

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

skip.

Terry, NJ · 07-08-2010, 06:21 AM

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip

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.

07-05-2010, 11:38 AM	#1
skip Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 408	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. Last edited by skip; 07-05-2010 at 11:49 AM.

07-05-2010, 11:41 AM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	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.

07-05-2010, 08:36 PM	#4
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Condenser testing? Modern Points?? Likely suspect is the lower plate to upper plate connection. Check that first.

07-07-2010, 08:37 PM	#7
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Re: Condenser testing? Yeah, condensers are cheap enough, __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio

07-07-2010, 09:54 PM	#8
Bob A. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York Posts: 158	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. __________________ *"Some Talk the Walk while others Walk the Walk"*

07-07-2010, 10:06 PM	#9
tuneman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 264	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

07-08-2010, 06:10 AM	#10
skip Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 408	Re: Condenser testing? Cool idea, hanging the spare, ready to use condenser. Thanks. skip.