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12-13-2022, 08:03 PM | #1 |
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Correct condensers for '40 distributor
With all the trash ignition parts coming out of China, can anyone recommend a supplier for good quality condensers for the '40 helmet type distributor?
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12-13-2022, 08:08 PM | #2 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Quote:
It will need to be mounted externally but you will never have to buy another one. |
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12-14-2022, 03:57 AM | #3 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Quote:
tubman's beautiful condensers that Pete mentions above. The link BELOW is for direct PM to "tubman". https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/priva...=newpm&u=36688 |
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12-14-2022, 08:09 AM | #4 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
To answer your title of the post, picture one "should" be what is used for your 40 distributor/coil IF you have the correct one. Picture two is one that some will "say" is for it OR will work.......and it will BUT IF your goal is "concours" correct I.E "as Henry Ford built it" then its not correct. AND experience will tell you, YOU CANNOT bent the ground strap to work like original. YOU can however use a soldering gun and un-solder your original ground strap and the other ground strap and swap them. As others have said via above post, the quality of what you get from the above posted NAPA condenser "CAN" provide more headache than satisfaction.....i.e IF you get one, get three as the likelihood of it quitting on you is high and you can keep one in your glove box to get you home. OR IF originality is not your goal......Call tubeman and be done with it as posted!! I bought "standard" brand ones when Standard quit making them and got as many I could get from NAPA.....The first one lasted about 2 years, I just recently had to replace it on my 39 Merc. Judging by your post I seems you may already know the above.
Last edited by rockfla; 12-14-2022 at 08:33 AM. |
12-14-2022, 08:55 AM | #5 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
There are no exact matches but the NAPA FA-49 is the closest and mounts properly and has the correct electrical characteristics. NAPA made their capacitors in Mexico at one time but they do go through testing. It can be seen above in post #4 on the left. The ignition condenser on the right above is not for a V8 engine and does not have the proper electrical Spec. It will work but may cause long term damage to the ignition points. Many guys use the magneto condenser sold by several of the ignition shops they do not mount correctly and take some time and modification to mount and still look correct but they are the best condensers available in my opinion.
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12-14-2022, 09:38 AM | #6 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
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These have been installed on my last four or five restorations never to be detected.
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12-14-2022, 12:27 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Quote:
The condenser in photo #2 was released in 1938. It grounds to the coil mounting screw. It was to be used with the 81A coil but will work on the 78 coil as well. That is the condenser I use as it is so easy to change out. |
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12-14-2022, 12:57 PM | #8 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
It is the MFD spec that matters. Last I heard of the NAPA ones, you needed to buy 10 to get 2 within the correct MFD value. I don't have the meter to measure that but know someone who does. I have a couple of NOS condensers I wouldn't trust driving the length of my driveway. I may try Kube's suggestion and swap out the innerds. Thanks Mike.
I have a NAPA condenser that I have long (16") jumper wires soldered to that I keep with me in case a condenser pukes on the road, clip it on and drive away and fix later. |
12-14-2022, 01:14 PM | #9 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
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12-14-2022, 04:37 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Quote:
can this condenser be bought at a NAPA store? |
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12-14-2022, 05:06 PM | #11 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Many thanks for all the helpful recommendations.
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12-15-2022, 01:54 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Quote:
Here is the "Hunt" condenser (advertised 36Mfd), curious....how do you make the wire work in place of the machine screw mount?? Thanks |
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12-15-2022, 08:29 PM | #13 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
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12-15-2022, 08:34 PM | #14 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
It was a Ford part. They are fairly common, NOS. Still, 75+ years old doesn't typically fare well for a condenser.
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12-15-2022, 08:39 PM | #15 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Quote:
This Hunt part does fit within the Ford casing. Shortening the wire, soldering... PITA but well worth it in my opinion.
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12-16-2022, 07:44 AM | #16 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
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12-16-2022, 10:05 AM | #17 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
Quote:
Soldering a capacitor like that with the plastic film inside could be problematic. I would avoid the excessive heat near the internal plastic film. It might work or it might melt. Most of the caps that have something soldered to the can are soldered before the rolled up film is intalled then they are roll crimped or glued with epoxy to keep them together. If the soldering is confined to the lead then it should be no problem. It's sad that with the modern mylar film and metal film attachment technology that we have in the modern era that no company seems to want to make good caps for the old cars. Most of it is just flat poor construction. The manufacturers just don't give a damn any more. Aircraft magneto condensers are the last of the good quality mass manufactured parts but they are expensive and the don't fit old cars. Many are too high a capacity rating for later cars anyway. Last edited by rotorwrench; 12-17-2022 at 11:51 AM. Reason: correct a decimal point |
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12-16-2022, 10:32 AM | #18 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
To be clear, automotive condensers (capacitors) are usually in the .20-.40 microfarad range. For example, most modern condensers are .22-.24 microfarads; the original Malllory "Trash Cans" were .36, and the Hunts (as specified above), are .33. Actually the engine will run fine over a wide range of capacitance, the difference being point life.
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12-16-2022, 11:14 AM | #19 | |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
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12-16-2022, 11:36 AM | #20 |
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Re: Correct condensers for '40 distributor
If you can locate a copy of the 2014 September/October issue of the V-8 Times there is a very informative article with pictures of the condensers for each year.
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