Coil or condenser issue?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 199
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Coil or condenser issue?
I put a new condenser and coil (the correct ones) on my '41 V8. The condenser came from Mac's and the coil came from a coil rebuilder, not one of the catalog supply guys.
Now I'll be driving along and it will cut out for just a half second or so. It will do it every couple of minutes. Other than the hiccups, it runs fine. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? If so, was a coil or condenser issue?
I put another condenser (used one) on it last night but I did not have a chance to take it for a test ride. Maybe tonight.
Any ideas on the electrical problem?
Steve
Now I'll be driving along and it will cut out for just a half second or so. It will do it every couple of minutes. Other than the hiccups, it runs fine. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? If so, was a coil or condenser issue?
I put another condenser (used one) on it last night but I did not have a chance to take it for a test ride. Maybe tonight.
Any ideas on the electrical problem?
Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
I put a new condenser and coil (the correct ones) on my '41 V8. The condenser came from Mac's and the coil came from a coil rebuilder, not one of the catalog supply guys.
Now I'll be driving along and it will cut out for just a half second or so. It will do it every couple of minutes. Other than the hiccups, it runs fine. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? If so, was a coil or condenser issue?
I put another condenser (used one) on it last night but I did not have a chance to take it for a test ride. Maybe tonight.
Any ideas on the electrical problem?
Steve
Now I'll be driving along and it will cut out for just a half second or so. It will do it every couple of minutes. Other than the hiccups, it runs fine. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? If so, was a coil or condenser issue?
I put another condenser (used one) on it last night but I did not have a chance to take it for a test ride. Maybe tonight.
Any ideas on the electrical problem?
Steve
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
It has vacuum advance. But it was running fine until the swapping of coils and condensers.
I can check the ground. I'll see if the other condenser (stock type) makes any difference. I'm also going to put the cobbed-together set up that was on it back and see if it runs alright again. That set up consisted of just the base plate from an original style coil, sketchy-looking wiring and a cylindrical 6V coil mounted on a homemade bracket that was bolted to the head. It wasn't correct or pretty, but it worked.
I know Ford went with another style dist. after the war. Was it because the diver helmet style was prone to issues like the ones I've had? Just curious.
Thanks.
Steve
I can check the ground. I'll see if the other condenser (stock type) makes any difference. I'm also going to put the cobbed-together set up that was on it back and see if it runs alright again. That set up consisted of just the base plate from an original style coil, sketchy-looking wiring and a cylindrical 6V coil mounted on a homemade bracket that was bolted to the head. It wasn't correct or pretty, but it worked.
I know Ford went with another style dist. after the war. Was it because the diver helmet style was prone to issues like the ones I've had? Just curious.
Thanks.
Steve
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 380
From: Southern California
check the wires, but my gut instinct says coil issue...what can happen is when the coil gets hot the cardboard like tubes inside that are suppose to keep the oil stable can fail for a variety of reasons and when the oil shifts to one side...it creates a short-like condition.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 310
Likes: 6
From: Webster, NY
Many folks on the FordBarn do not buy ignition (or anything else) parts from Mac's anymore. Eckler did a number on them. If your old condenser works and you have access to a NAPA store, try their FA49 condenser with an original coil (bolted to the distributor) or their IH200 or RR175 (some think this is a better match for the helmet distributor) with an aftermarket coil (on a bracket with a coil wire to the distributor).
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 332
Likes: 9
From: Oregon
The problem with these cheap condensers/capacitors is the way they were constructed. Typically the wire is soldered to a small metal disc and the disc is simply set onto the top of the foil/insulator wrap that comprises the internals. The disc is supposed to be compressed into the wrap by the process of rolling the edge of the can around the seal. The problem with them is due to faulty QC and the disc isn't compressed into the wrap enough causing a lack of, or spotty continuity between the disc/wire and the internal wrap. That's what I found after dissecting two new (cheap) condensers that wouldn't work properly. One was dead right from the package and the other would crap out after warming up to engine heat.
NAPA is your friend when it comes to quality ignition components.
NAPA is your friend when it comes to quality ignition components.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 18
From: Colorado
I always check my condensers at Napa when I go to get them. They can be a pain if they are not working properly for sure. Good luck.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
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Also maddening was the fact that the Mac's condenser didn't even fit correctly. I had to die-grind out the distributor bolt hole quite a bit in order to get the bolt in!
Okay, off to NAPA I go...
Thanks guys.
Okay, off to NAPA I go...
Thanks guys.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 199
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Yes! And NAPA is the only auto parts store here locally that can order the GL4-rated gear oil that these things and my Model T's require. I'll be calling our local store right after I hit "post" here!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 135
From: Houston
I find removing that distributor bolt to be a pain in the butt when removing the coil. I cut the bottom of the loop on the condenser out so that the ground now looks like a two prong fork. Now it slides over the distributor bolt that is backed out a few turns but not removed.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 199
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Excellent idea on the condenser!
A pain in the butt is an understatement! Wow.
I don't know if Henry designed the bolt location on that distributor (and condenser) or if an employee did, but it wasn't the best idea to ever come out of the factory...
A pain in the butt is an understatement! Wow.
I don't know if Henry designed the bolt location on that distributor (and condenser) or if an employee did, but it wasn't the best idea to ever come out of the factory...
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