Speaking of condensers
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 892
From: Lititz PA
Speaking of condensers
June 13th we left home headed for Ohio. We got about 40 miles from home and the truck started backfiring out the exhaust and loss of power. We turned around and headed for home. Put it in the garage (Dianne was driving the suburban and teardrop camper) and didn’t look at it until today.
One year ago the same thing happened and I had to be towed home from 30 miles from the Ohio state line. Next day I replaced points and condenser from Auto Zone and it fired right up. Bought a spare set the following day from Napa.
Today I thought I would replace the condenser with the one from Napa, and it fired up and ran great tonight. Drove about 35 miles this evening and everything seems fixed. Got to get another Napa condenser this week.
One year ago the same thing happened and I had to be towed home from 30 miles from the Ohio state line. Next day I replaced points and condenser from Auto Zone and it fired right up. Bought a spare set the following day from Napa.
Today I thought I would replace the condenser with the one from Napa, and it fired up and ran great tonight. Drove about 35 miles this evening and everything seems fixed. Got to get another Napa condenser this week.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,378
Likes: 5,387
From: Central PA
Where does NAPA get their condensers? Same place as Auto Zone?
I say buy NOS on eBay or from that old guy with the big tent in Row A at Carlisle .
Speaking of NAPA and Auto Zone, we will soon have 3 auto parts store along what I call our Golden Half Mile. We have Advance Auto near Wal-Mart then an Auto Zone is going in where a Pizza Hut was and then a NAPA across from Tractor supply.
I say buy NOS on eBay or from that old guy with the big tent in Row A at Carlisle .
Speaking of NAPA and Auto Zone, we will soon have 3 auto parts store along what I call our Golden Half Mile. We have Advance Auto near Wal-Mart then an Auto Zone is going in where a Pizza Hut was and then a NAPA across from Tractor supply.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,995
Likes: 422
From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
Napa sells Echlin condensers - these are considered the more desirable version compared to the alternatives. Their points have also served me well.
Advance offers Duralast condensers of which I know nothing.
Advance offers Duralast condensers of which I know nothing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,681
Likes: 1,251
From: Jefferson City, MO
I have reported this thread to admin. I went out to start my truck this evening to run to Lowe's and it wouldn't start.
I'm blaming this thread!!!!!
First I checked by gas tank to insure I had plenty of gas. Then checked my battery. Next I pulled #1 spark plug. It has very weak spark. I was annoyed and my wife got home, so I stepped aside for the evening.
Any suggestions on order of testing? Here is what I'm thinking.
1. clean and gap points
2. test coil
3. test other plugs. I just cleaned and gapped them, but I might need to get new.
4. Is there a test for condenser? Replace?
5. Replace plug wires.
Am I missing anything?
Gotta have it going so I can drive towards Branson on the 21st.
I'm blaming this thread!!!!!
First I checked by gas tank to insure I had plenty of gas. Then checked my battery. Next I pulled #1 spark plug. It has very weak spark. I was annoyed and my wife got home, so I stepped aside for the evening.
Any suggestions on order of testing? Here is what I'm thinking.
1. clean and gap points
2. test coil
3. test other plugs. I just cleaned and gapped them, but I might need to get new.
4. Is there a test for condenser? Replace?
5. Replace plug wires.
Am I missing anything?
Gotta have it going so I can drive towards Branson on the 21st.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
There are tests for the condenser
The mfd. cam be measured .22 microfarads if I remember
Also short to case ground ohm tests
There are NOS Motorcraft tune up kits online (check ebay)
I found one for my '70 429
The mfd. cam be measured .22 microfarads if I remember
Also short to case ground ohm tests
There are NOS Motorcraft tune up kits online (check ebay)
I found one for my '70 429
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
I have reported this thread to admin. I went out to start my truck this evening to run to Lowe's and it wouldn't start.
I'm blaming this thread!!!!!
First I checked by gas tank to insure I had plenty of gas. Then checked my battery. Next I pulled #1 spark plug. It has very weak spark. I was annoyed and my wife got home, so I stepped aside for the evening.
Any suggestions on order of testing? Here is what I'm thinking.
1. clean and gap points
2. test coil
3. test other plugs. I just cleaned and gapped them, but I might need to get new.
4. Is there a test for condenser? Replace?
5. Replace plug wires.
Am I missing anything?
Gotta have it going so I can drive towards Branson on the 21st.
I'm blaming this thread!!!!!
First I checked by gas tank to insure I had plenty of gas. Then checked my battery. Next I pulled #1 spark plug. It has very weak spark. I was annoyed and my wife got home, so I stepped aside for the evening.
Any suggestions on order of testing? Here is what I'm thinking.
1. clean and gap points
2. test coil
3. test other plugs. I just cleaned and gapped them, but I might need to get new.
4. Is there a test for condenser? Replace?
5. Replace plug wires.
Am I missing anything?
Gotta have it going so I can drive towards Branson on the 21st.
Weak spark can be really anything in the ignition. When I had cars with points years ago, I always started with points and condenser at the same time. But then I'm no expert, just a hack shade tree mechanic.
Good luck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
The downside of measuring the condenser (capacitor) is you can't measure ESR or voltage handling. Best to simply replace it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,681
Likes: 1,251
From: Jefferson City, MO
I'm always worried about replacing a condenser. I've heard enough that you can get bad ones out of the box. So, if you replace it and your problem is not solved is it that you just got a bad one or the problem is somewhere else.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
Damn straight
Replace the condenser every time
Use a dwell meter to get the points set correctly
By the way if you see a volcano on one point surface and a pit on the other...
Your condenser mfd is off from the spec (common)
Replace the condenser every time
Use a dwell meter to get the points set correctly
By the way if you see a volcano on one point surface and a pit on the other...
Your condenser mfd is off from the spec (common)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
I plan to give it a go again now that I’ve fixed my charging issues.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
I was not going to bad mouth the electronic ignitions that can be had for yours...
But after having to reinstall a points distributor in mine (Billet distributor module failed twice)
I run either factory electronic ignition or points
Duraspark on my Boss 302
HEI on my '56 BBF
What momo you have in that old truck pintoplumber?
Us mechanics, Lawyers and Dr.'s have a joke saying that goes
Plumbers are above my pay scale
I bet you do pretty damn good in PA as a self employed plumber
Carry on
But after having to reinstall a points distributor in mine (Billet distributor module failed twice)
I run either factory electronic ignition or points
Duraspark on my Boss 302
HEI on my '56 BBF
What momo you have in that old truck pintoplumber?
Us mechanics, Lawyers and Dr.'s have a joke saying that goes
Plumbers are above my pay scale
I bet you do pretty damn good in PA as a self employed plumber
Carry on
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 892
From: Lititz PA
I was not going to bad mouth the electronic ignitions that can be had for yours...
But after having to reinstall a points distributor in mine (Billet distributor module failed twice)
I run either factory electronic ignition or points
Duraspark on my Boss 302
HEI on my '56 BBF
What momo you have in that old truck pintoplumber?
Us mechanics, Lawyers and Dr.'s have a joke saying that goes
Plumbers are above my pay scale
I bet you do pretty damn good in PA as a self employed plumber
Carry on
But after having to reinstall a points distributor in mine (Billet distributor module failed twice)
I run either factory electronic ignition or points
Duraspark on my Boss 302
HEI on my '56 BBF
What momo you have in that old truck pintoplumber?
Us mechanics, Lawyers and Dr.'s have a joke saying that goes
Plumbers are above my pay scale
I bet you do pretty damn good in PA as a self employed plumber
Carry on