Condensewr question

Bob from Northport

Bob from Northport

Well-known member
When using old point types in a distributor, Brattons sells an insulating fiver or leather washer that fits between the end of the condenser and the screw that holds the contact point of the condenser to the ignition contact under the distributor plate.

Can anyone advise why that is used?? On diagrams of assembly, the washer is not shown.

Bob
 
without seeing what you are talking about I would guess it is to keep out water and dirt from entering the hole in the distributor.
 
Bob from Northport said:
When using old point types in a distributor, Brattons sells an insulating fiver or leather washer that fits between the end of the condenser and the screw that holds the contact point of the condenser to the ignition contact under the distributor plate.

Can anyone advise why that is used?? On diagrams of assembly, the washer is not shown.

Bob
Click to expand...

It keeps the strap from touching ground, especially the thinner repro lower plates. It also forms a stop for the original plug material Ford put into the hole. If you leave the thick washer out, the screw may bottom before the connection is tight, and if you keep trying to turn the screw you may turn the terminal and mess up the new condenser.:mad:

The thinner insulating washer goes on the points connection first to keep the wire terminal from touching the plate.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
It keeps the strap from touching ground, especially the thinner repro lower plates. It also forms a stop for the original plug material Ford put into the hole. If you leave the thick washer out, the screw may bottom before the connection is tight, and if you keep trying to turn the screw you may turn the terminal and mess up the new condenser.:mad:

The thinner insulating washer goes on the points connection first to keep the wire terminal from touching the plate.
Click to expand...

I don't think that is the one he is talking about... this one is a thick fiber washer that Brattons says goes with the copper screw when mounting the condenser. I picked one up based upon the Brattons catalog... but the fiber washer is too thick to be useful.

This is from the Bratton's catalog: "Can be seen through the 1/2" hole on the driver side of the dist. Included in (# 17640) screw kit. Insulating washer should be super glued to tab of lower plate for easier installation. 1928 thru early 1930 used a 10/32 x 3/8 cadmium screw and fiber washer."

When I tried it, the washer seemed to thick, or the screw too short. Plus, why would you want to insulate this screw?

I left it off...

rob
 
robw said:
I don't think that is the one he is talking about... this one is a thick fiber washer that Brattons says goes with the copper screw when mounting the condenser. I picked one up based upon the Brattons catalog... but the fiber washer is too thick to be useful.

This is from the Bratton's catalog: "Can be seen through the 1/2" hole on the driver side of the dist. Included in (# 17640) screw kit. Insulating washer should be super glued to tab of lower plate for easier installation. 1928 thru early 1930 used a 10/32 x 3/8 cadmium screw and fiber washer."

When I tried it, the washer seemed to thick, or the screw too short. Plus, why would you want to insulate this screw?

I left it off...

rob
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the insulating washer I speak about in the first paragraph. It goes directly under the head of the screw, and the connection strap is well connected to the condenser terminal. You should always use the screw. It works as I mentioned.:)

My second paragraph speaks about the thin insulating washer, which is used to keep the lower to upper plate wire terminal from touching the plate.
 
Here's a picture Marco posted, showing how the terminal should be bend and oriented, and the screw with the thick insulating washer. Notice this is the 1931 distributor with the bridged ears.
 

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