The Ford Barn

Cave · 02-13-2019, 09:05 PM

Recently I noticed that an LED flashlight I was using near the engine flickered whenever the engine was running... the closer I held it to the distributor the more profound the flicker. Then I turned the LED shop light on, easily 8' from the car, it also flickered. I suspected some sort of EMI was causing the trouble. All ignition was stock except for modern points /condenser.

In a move to minimize the RFI I changed to a modern dist. cap but found that the wires that came in that kit were solid and didn't reduce the interference at all, so I did some digging and found that spiral wound ignition wires are intended to cut emissions with very little current loss.

20190213_200206r.jpg

I bought a set of cut-as-needed cables and fit them to the new cap and plugs. Voila! NO RFI, not even if I hold the LED flashlight 1/4" from them. At first glance I'm very pleased, she fired right up, idles and performs just right. And I can use my electronics, LEDs, etc. without risk of EM damage.

YMMV, but am posting this for what it's worth.

02-13-2019, 09:05 PM	#1
Cave Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 51	Radio Frequency Interference Recently I noticed that an LED flashlight I was using near the engine flickered whenever the engine was running... the closer I held it to the distributor the more profound the flicker. Then I turned the LED shop light on, easily 8' from the car, it also flickered. I suspected some sort of EMI was causing the trouble. All ignition was stock except for modern points /condenser. In a move to minimize the RFI I changed to a modern dist. cap but found that the wires that came in that kit were solid and didn't reduce the interference at all, so I did some digging and found that spiral wound ignition wires are intended to cut emissions with very little current loss. 20190213_200206r.jpg I bought a set of cut-as-needed cables and fit them to the new cap and plugs. Voila! NO RFI, not even if I hold the LED flashlight 1/4" from them. At first glance I'm very pleased, she fired right up, idles and performs just right. And I can use my electronics, LEDs, etc. without risk of EM damage. YMMV, but am posting this for what it's worth. __________________ Cave Luther Syracuse, NY 1931 Deluxe Coupe (Rose) ______________________________________ "... I'm pullin' for ya, we're all in this together." Red Green