The Ford Barn

pjdeb · 03-18-2023, 10:49 AM

Just by trial and error. The one in the truck was the original problem. I replaced it with a "new" one and thought I was good to go. No, but I went on to other things as I thought I was good. Goose chase. Eventually changed to spare distributor. Better, but spark was weak. Put in another "new" condenser and she started right up and ran well.

That was after I discovered the loose wire between the plates. Do not know if that was affecting the condensers. Certainly did not help.

mcgarrett · 03-18-2023, 11:06 AM

We keep hearing stories like this over and over. If you think you're having ignition problems check the condenser first. That little part causes many problems and it's the easiest and least expensive to correct. NEVER assume that just because a condenser is new that it is good and this is especially true with NOS condensers. Condensers can go bad and cease to function just sitting it a box - some of the cheap Chinese imports were garbage the moment they were made.

81ls1camaro · 03-20-2023, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Doe

PJ, how did you determine that the 3 condensers were bad?

I don't know what he did, but I use the capacitance check on my digital multimeter to check them.

Gene F · 03-20-2023, 04:08 PM

81LS1camaro, how do you do that? Out of the box, or do they need to be used a little first to excite them? Digiatal or analog meter?

Mulletwagon · 03-20-2023, 07:58 PM

PJ - Thanks for the final report. Always enjoy a success story.
FL Panhandle

03-18-2023, 10:49 AM	#21
pjdeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 103	Re: Backfire! Help! So frustrated! Just by trial and error. The one in the truck was the original problem. I replaced it with a "new" one and thought I was good to go. No, but I went on to other things as I thought I was good. Goose chase. Eventually changed to spare distributor. Better, but spark was weak. Put in another "new" condenser and she started right up and ran well. That was after I discovered the loose wire between the plates. Do not know if that was affecting the condensers. Certainly did not help.

03-18-2023, 11:06 AM	#22
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Backfire! Help! So frustrated! We keep hearing stories like this over and over. If you think you're having ignition problems check the condenser first. That little part causes many problems and it's the easiest and least expensive to correct. NEVER assume that just because a condenser is new that it is good and this is especially true with NOS condensers. Condensers can go bad and cease to function just sitting it a box - some of the cheap Chinese imports were garbage the moment they were made.

03-20-2023, 04:08 PM	#24
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,969	Re: Backfire! Help! So frustrated! 81LS1camaro, how do you do that? Out of the box, or do they need to be used a little first to excite them? Digiatal or analog meter?

03-20-2023, 07:58 PM	#25
Mulletwagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 585	Re: Backfire! Help! So frustrated! PJ - Thanks for the final report. Always enjoy a success story. FL Panhandle