Ignition condenser

If you can get a copy of the Sept/Oct 2014 issue of the V-8 Times there is an article on condensers for V-8 Fords. Really interesting reading on a little known piece.
 
BUBBAS IGNITION said:
Man this discussion never quits.
The 35 Ford spec mfds is .36 mfd per the Ford service book. The IH200 and the FA54 is .25 which is slightly lower than spec .....
However the spec for the 42-48 Crab is .25mfds......
This difference is seen running on a distributor machine, i keep a .36 with leads and clips hanging there, see some arc on the primary points jumper the test .36 in the circuit and it will go away..........interesting ...:eek:
Click to expand...

What condenser would you run on a 1941 Ford V8 distributor which has the 11A shaft which is exactly the same specs as the 42 - 48 crab distributor would it be .25 mfd as recommend by the Ford service book therefor you could run a IH200 condenser.
 
Condenser (automotive capacitor) quality has been on a steady decline since the last manufacturer quit using them. There may come a time when we have to fabricate a little can that can be reused and roll our own with some proper foil and mylar film. The key is knowing what size the foil and mylar film have to be to get the right capacitive reactance.
 
rotorwrench said:
Condenser (automotive capacitor) quality has been on a steady decline since the last manufacturer quit using them. There may come a time when we have to fabricate a little can that can be reused and roll our own with some proper foil and mylar film. The key is knowing what size the foil and mylar film have to be to get the right capacitive reactance.
Click to expand...

I thought some folks were already doing that.
 
I use two condensers ,One brand I have been running 25 Years ,you could Buy up old stock ,There's probly a radio capacitor that would do it ,Ted
 
What sort of potato, what size, peeled/unpeeled, cooked or raw, if cooked; what method, boiled, roasted, fried-[nah- I guess you don't want fried, original condensers do that!], what polarity do you stick the wires. [This is supposed to be humour] Come on man, I answered your original question.
 
I think the ones being made to mimic the big brass Mallory condensers are using the guts out of another condenser. At least that way you could make sure the wire input lead is properly attached to the foil. The big Vertex mag condensers are hand made as far as I know but they ain't cheap either. I think I would check a TCM/Bendix 200 or 1200 series Magneto condenser to see what the capacity rating is but those things are getting expensive too. At least I know they work!
 
woodiewagon46 said:
If you can get a copy of the Sept/Oct 2014 issue of the V-8 Times there is an article on condensers for V-8 Fords. Really interesting reading on a little known piece.
Click to expand...

That article in the Ford V8 Times magazine was very interesting by Frank Scheidt. It seems that if you use a 26 mfd condensor it will work on most Ford V8,s and it depends on what type of coil you run too which effects the build up on the distributor points. I do not think most V8 owners are very worried about how long the points will last on the distributor as they are not doing big mileage anyway and the V8 distributors are hard to get at too dismantle and check on the points. It seems as if you fit a good quality condenser and most of them are about 26mfd or more you are ok.
I have enclosed a chart from the write up in the V8 Times.
 

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BUBBAS IGNITION said:
Man this discussion never quits.
The 35 Ford spec mfds is .36 mfd per the Ford service book. The IH200 and the FA54 is .25 which is slightly lower than spec .....
However the spec for the 42-48 Crab is .25mfds......
This difference is seen running on a distributor machine, i keep a .36 with leads and clips hanging there, see some arc on the primary points jumper the test .36 in the circuit and it will go away..........interesting ...:eek:
Click to expand...


Are you using a 6 or 12v coil?
 
The inductance of the coil, the frequency (dwell and RPM dependent) and probably the plug gap are variables in determining the capacitance or capacitive reactance required for best point life and performance. If you are going by manufacturer's specifications, remember all these components have a 10% or 20% tolerance rating........Bob L
 
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