Condensor
 

I'm having a hard time getting a condenser for my vehicle. I have two 81-A engines. Two different Distributors. Bubba done a nice job on them. Skip done a nice job on my coils. Skip left a note on the cond telling me it was weak and needed to be replaced. Found a picture of the one I need on on the Sacramento Vintage site. Ordered two from them but will take at least 3 weeks to get them. The Napa FA49 isn't the one I need for the dist I'm trying to use. I think the 32-36 Condensor is the one I need. Any one have a Napa # that might work?

Thank you in advance!!

Mike

Re: Condensor
 

Skip has used and recommended the Napa IH-200 for over 15 years and
has never heard of any problems with them. It needs to be adapted to
the early type coils. It's a good thing he tested it for you, he does a hot
test. G.M.

Re: Condensor
 

33-36 condenser is a NAPA FA-5, kind of. It has to be modified with an original condenser ground strap, solder it to the rear end of the condenser. You can view the condenser on NAPA web site. Very unusual to use an earlier distributor on a 81A engine!! The parts for the 37-41 distributor are more available and the mechanical advance plate of the 41 fits all giving a few more degrees of advance. If you happen to have a 42-48 style crab then Bubba is the guy for the condenser. He sells a magneto condenser that last and last.

Re: Condensor
 

Speaking of condensers, what is the best one to use for helmet(1940) dist/coil?

Re: Condensor
 

IH-200 on my '40 and it runs great !

Re: Condensor
 

Terry, I'm new to the V-8. I've had 38 fourdoor Del for two years. That was the dist that came on the car. I worked on suspension because it rode terrible when I got it. So the last few months have been spent trying to get it to start and run with power. I wished I had known about wrong dist before I had that serviced. But, it runs fantastic now and I want extra condensers just in case.

Re: Condensor
 

Terry it might run great when it's not to hot but if your running the
condenser Skip tested and said was weak you will have problems when
hot. It most likely was starting to become weak when hot or he wouldn't
have mentioned it. G.M.

Re: Condensor
 

Very hard to start after driving to town. Got it started again, drove about twenty miles for a check it out thing. Love the ride. But I'm afraid to leave the garage without a new condenser. The day we drove it was one of the brutal hot days. With windshield cranked out, wife even enjoyed the ride.

Re: Condensor
 

Mike B.....

I had the same prob with my '40. Would go for a ride and it would back fire and sputter, etc. Had coil reworked and the IH-200 condenser. That was the end to my problems.

NAPA has them in stock.

Mike

Re: Condensor
 

While the condenser must physically fit the application the microfarad value is dependent on the coil properties. a properly sized condenser will minimize wear on the points. I'm currently running pertronix due to some bad ones I got. Yes, they were the expensive ones.

Re: Condensor
 

In my opinion get another capacitor and install it, to avoid future problems and a tow. Either modify the IH-200 or the FA-5. Below is a photo of the modified FA-5 for the 33-36. The hard starting does not sound like the ignition condenser but it could be, change the condenser before trying other things. In the photo below LH is the 33-36, FA-5 modified condenser and RH is the 37-41 FA-49 out of the box.

Re: Condensor
 

I just finished swapping the 33-36 dist. for the 37-41. I had no idea until today the years of the dists. Take it for a spin tomorrow. I did find 11 dist gaskets in a old box with many other gaskets. I've had those for several years. Now I can give the NAPA man back his gasket and a couple more for loaning me one out of full set of gaskets. Many thanks to everyone for there help. One more Question. How often do you oil the distr??

Mike

Re: Condensor
 

Their help! There help. Typo above. Getting late!

Re: Condensor
 

Mike, you can edit your post (and delete the other) if you wish.

Re: Condensor
 

I'll put a drop or two from the dipstick every so often when I check the oil.