The Ford Barn

edmondclinton · 01-20-2015, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stouchton

Being an electrical engineer of way too many decades experience, I can safely say that the condenser will pass all sorts of tests with meters and such. It will fail actual use tests because the high voltage it is asked to suppress.

Without a tremendously sophisticated rig to observe its dielectric failure - just substitute a good one as mentioned above.

There's nothing like the real load I agree. However, if the condenser is bad enough the simple tests and test equipment work. No telling how much money has been thrown away on condensers, coils and spark plugs over the last 85 years for nothing when the real problem was something else.

Tom Wesenberg · 01-20-2015, 09:19 PM

If the condenser terminal spins (and it does) then it is shot. It's very likely shorting the voltage to ground and that is what's heating up the coil. The coil will heat up if the points are closed, key is ON and engine isn't running, but during cranking or engine running, the coil shouldn't heat up.

For now don't worry about coil polarity, but answer this:
1. Do you have 6 volts on both terminals with the key off?
2. With the key on and points open, do you still have 6 volts on both terminals?
3. Do you have 0 volts on one terminal with the key on and points closed?

ALL 3 must be yes, or you won't have good ignition.

Don't hope and wish the condenser is good, because if the terminal spins, it is junk.

burner31 · 01-21-2015, 02:02 AM

Did you gas up just prior to this problem?

Mitch//pa · 01-21-2015, 07:41 AM

what Tom posted in #42 is the basics for spark to occur...its very,, very simple :::
dont get all wrapped up in checking a 2.00 condenser if the post spins its junk, and even if it did not spin always keep a known good one on hand to swap out when having a spark issue.. as mentioned use the fiber washer underneath the proper length screw..
i have tested condensers that showed good but were still bad...

Dbbc · 01-21-2015, 01:56 PM

To answer Tom's questions
1. Do you have 6 volts on both terminals with the key off?
Yes
2. With the key on and points open, do you still have 6 volts on both terminals?
Yes
3. Do you have 0 volts on one terminal with the key on and points closed?
Yes

Regarding gas, I drained the tank and got new gas. No change.

Regarding the condenser.
The condenser does not spin just the threaded copper end, so it can't be tighten.
The length of the screw shouldn't matter? Did not see a fiber washer? maybe it fell in the distributor. Will check.

Parts on the way.

Mitch//pa · 01-21-2015, 02:32 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

the threaded end of the condenser should not spin, thats what were talking about...
get yourself a fiber washer and the proper length screw

TDO · 01-22-2015, 01:16 PM

If your getting fire to three cylinders it should start. I use a cut away dist. cap . With some one turning the it over you can see if there is spark to all cyl. and see if its a strong blue arc.

Dbbc · 01-22-2015, 07:44 PM

Yes the car was starting for a few seconds and then die. Will check again for spark strength and color. I got distributor parts on the way and will change those and then check again.
Hope this will do. Dying to drive the car again.

01-21-2015, 02:02 AM	#43
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,479	Re: Still won't start Did you gas up just prior to this problem? __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

01-21-2015, 07:41 AM	#44
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Still won't start what Tom posted in #42 is the basics for spark to occur...its very,, very simple ::: dont get all wrapped up in checking a 2.00 condenser if the post spins its junk, and even if it did not spin always keep a known good one on hand to swap out when having a spark issue.. as mentioned use the fiber washer underneath the proper length screw.. i have tested condensers that showed good but were still bad...

01-21-2015, 01:56 PM	#45
Dbbc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Honolulu Posts: 116	Re: Still won't start To answer Tom's questions 1. Do you have 6 volts on both terminals with the key off? Yes 2. With the key on and points open, do you still have 6 volts on both terminals? Yes 3. Do you have 0 volts on one terminal with the key on and points closed? Yes Regarding gas, I drained the tank and got new gas. No change. Regarding the condenser. The condenser does not spin just the threaded copper end, so it can't be tighten. The length of the screw shouldn't matter? Did not see a fiber washer? maybe it fell in the distributor. Will check. Parts on the way.

01-21-2015, 02:32 PM	#46
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Still won't start Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) the threaded end of the condenser should not spin, thats what were talking about... get yourself a fiber washer and the proper length screw

01-22-2015, 01:16 PM	#47
TDO Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Enterprise, WV. Posts: 460	Re: Still won't start If your getting fire to three cylinders it should start. I use a cut away dist. cap . With some one turning the it over you can see if there is spark to all cyl. and see if its a strong blue arc.

01-20-2015, 09:19 PM	#42
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Still won't start If the condenser terminal spins (and it does) then it is shot. It's very likely shorting the voltage to ground and that is what's heating up the coil. The coil will heat up if the points are closed, key is ON and engine isn't running, but during cranking or engine running, the coil shouldn't heat up. For now don't worry about coil polarity, but answer this: 1. Do you have 6 volts on both terminals with the key off? 2. With the key on and points open, do you still have 6 volts on both terminals? 3. Do you have 0 volts on one terminal with the key on and points closed? ALL 3 must be yes, or you won't have good ignition. Don't hope and wish the condenser is good, because if the terminal spins, it is junk.

01-22-2015, 07:44 PM	#48
Dbbc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Honolulu Posts: 116	Re: Still won't start Yes the car was starting for a few seconds and then die. Will check again for spark strength and color. I got distributor parts on the way and will change those and then check again. Hope this will do. Dying to drive the car again.