Can someone tell me what the condensor does in a points distributor? If I go down the road, after a while the engine shuts off and will not start again. I have a new coil, so that's not it. I also have new points, but didn't change the condensor though. I checked for spark with a plug out of the engine. It was sunny today, (so I couldn't see very well, but I don't think the spark was very fat and blue. Anyway, how can I check the condensor and coil (with a volt-meter).

'75 Highboy
1975 F-250 4x4 (390, T18, p/s conv.)
1988 Ranger 4x4 (5.0 EFI, T5 trans.)
1993 Bronco 4x4 (5.8 EFI, no mods yet, it's just the "family wagon"!)

 

The condensor, I was told, stores the spark untill the points allow it to pass through. As cheap as they are, replace yours. I always carried a spare set of points and a condensor with me. As soon as I used my spare, I got another.

 

highboy, if you're not sure, just disconnec the condenser. you don't need it for the motor to run. its' purpose is to make the points last longer. without the condenser, a lot of current goes across the point when the closes causing them to burn up faster.

 

i forgot, the condenser also keeps the electronic noise of the spark to a minumum. without it you and everyone around you will pick up the opening and closing of the points on the radio.

 

The condenser helps build up votage in the secondary windings of the coil and also reduces arcing across the points when the points are snapped open. The arcing cannot be completely eliminated. Excessive arcing indicates condenser trouble or dirty or loose condenser connections.

 

Frankie, if you disconnect the condensor in the distributor, the engine won't run. Mine sure won't.

 

Think of the condensor as a shock absorber its a place for moving electrons to get squished into when the points suddenly open so instead of falling into the gap (arching)they wait for the points to close again and surge into the coil, in effect it keeps a constant pressure ready to make the coil work to its best ability and keeps the arching to a minimum to extend the life of the points.
Your problem could be the condensor alright I have seen it before.
Coils will do that too even new ones once in a while.
Also If you can hook a volt meter to the side of your coil while you drive and see if maybe you are loosing voltage when it dies just to make sure that you don't have a problem in that regard.
Also reach up under your dash and feel the back of your ignition switch see if its hot it could be bad inside those switches are good for that. They get hot build up resistance and quit allowing voltage to pass properly.
Turn on ignition and hook your meter up to the negative side of the coil and when the points are closed you should read 0 voltage (You will have voltage when open) if you do have voltage get new points and set to the correct gap and don't use to much grease on the cam.I dig old fashion point ignitions I use to leave charged up condensors sitting around the shop so some unsuspecting mechanic would pick it up and get zapped with the disharge..HEH!