The Ford Barn

V12Bill · 07-28-2014, 08:37 PM

A few weeks ago, I had to be towed home from an outing in my 1939 Pickup. When I removed the coil, I noticed that it was cracked. I was told that the case cracked from leaving the ignition on. I got a new coil from Skip and installed that. It ran badly and couldn't muster the power to pull itself out of the garage. I rechecked all the connections and decided to change the condenser. The engine started and ran smoothly. I checked the spark and there is only a white spark about 1/16" in length. I know that the spark should be bluish and at least 1/4" long. I am sure that my tow home was caused by a bad condenser that wouldn't allow the engine to start and the coil over heated in my 45 minute attempt to get the engine started again. Is my new condenser not up to snuff? Am I setting myself up for a repeat failure? How does one check a condenser?

gearhead1952 · 07-28-2014, 09:34 PM

Some digital meters like my Fluke have the ability to measure capacitance. Can use a meter and then a heat gun to warm it up to see if it breaks down when warm.

JM 35 Sedan · 07-28-2014, 10:02 PM

If your condensor was going bad, chances are your points have pitted/burned some. You may need to clean those up or replace them, and reset the gap and timing.

G.M. · 07-28-2014, 10:49 PM

Check the spark to a head nut not the spark plug. G.M.

V12Bill · 07-29-2014, 10:44 AM

Just an up date on my problem. Today I drove the pickup around the block and it had some hesitation and missing before I completed the circuit. I removed that condenser and replaced it with an IH 200 condenser and it made the circuit around the block,so I ventured out to fill the tank with gas. It made it out to the gas station and back with no apparent problems. I will start to expand my trips and at higher speeds and see if the problem is cured.
Who would have thought that a little condenser could be such a pain in the ankle.

Tinker · 07-29-2014, 10:53 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I remembered this discussion from a while back. I found it very informative.

http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...nsor+gmc+bubba

russcc · 07-29-2014, 06:33 PM

Heard a great idea from Ray Helgers last week about condensers and coils. Condensers, keep a spare in your car with an alligator clip on it to hook right to your coil in the event the one in the dist. fails. Coils, there are some defective coils out there, the one in this case was a NAPA. You could shake the coil and hear the oil sloshing around. Not enough oil allows the coil to overheat as some ofthe coil wires are out of the oil.

CC33 · 07-30-2014, 08:23 AM

"Condensers, keep a spare in your car with an alligator clip on it to hook right to your coil in the event the one in the dist. fails."

Please explain. ('33 style coil)

deuce_roadster · 07-30-2014, 10:30 AM

I keep an IH 200 with 2 wires with alligator clips, one on the condenser lead the other for the ground. This way, I can clip the ground side anywhere and the lead to the coil wire connection. Should get you home.

07-28-2014, 08:37 PM	#1
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Condensers A few weeks ago, I had to be towed home from an outing in my 1939 Pickup. When I removed the coil, I noticed that it was cracked. I was told that the case cracked from leaving the ignition on. I got a new coil from Skip and installed that. It ran badly and couldn't muster the power to pull itself out of the garage. I rechecked all the connections and decided to change the condenser. The engine started and ran smoothly. I checked the spark and there is only a white spark about 1/16" in length. I know that the spark should be bluish and at least 1/4" long. I am sure that my tow home was caused by a bad condenser that wouldn't allow the engine to start and the coil over heated in my 45 minute attempt to get the engine started again. Is my new condenser not up to snuff? Am I setting myself up for a repeat failure? How does one check a condenser?

07-28-2014, 09:34 PM	#2
gearhead1952 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Julesburg, Colorado Posts: 714	Re: Condensers Some digital meters like my Fluke have the ability to measure capacitance. Can use a meter and then a heat gun to warm it up to see if it breaks down when warm.

07-28-2014, 10:02 PM	#3
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Condensers If your condensor was going bad, chances are your points have pitted/burned some. You may need to clean those up or replace them, and reset the gap and timing. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

07-28-2014, 10:49 PM	#4
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Condensers Check the spark to a head nut not the spark plug. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

07-29-2014, 10:44 AM	#5
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: Condensers Just an up date on my problem. Today I drove the pickup around the block and it had some hesitation and missing before I completed the circuit. I removed that condenser and replaced it with an IH 200 condenser and it made the circuit around the block,so I ventured out to fill the tank with gas. It made it out to the gas station and back with no apparent problems. I will start to expand my trips and at higher speeds and see if the problem is cured. Who would have thought that a little condenser could be such a pain in the ankle.

07-29-2014, 10:53 AM	#6
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Condensers Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I remembered this discussion from a while back. I found it very informative. http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...nsor+gmc+bubba

07-29-2014, 06:33 PM	#7
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Condensers Heard a great idea from Ray Helgers last week about condensers and coils. Condensers, keep a spare in your car with an alligator clip on it to hook right to your coil in the event the one in the dist. fails. Coils, there are some defective coils out there, the one in this case was a NAPA. You could shake the coil and hear the oil sloshing around. Not enough oil allows the coil to overheat as some ofthe coil wires are out of the oil.

07-30-2014, 08:23 AM	#8
CC33 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 465	Re: Condensers "Condensers, keep a spare in your car with an alligator clip on it to hook right to your coil in the event the one in the dist. fails." Please explain. ('33 style coil)

07-30-2014, 10:30 AM	#9
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Condensers I keep an IH 200 with 2 wires with alligator clips, one on the condenser lead the other for the ground. This way, I can clip the ground side anywhere and the lead to the coil wire connection. Should get you home.