C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

[Ed S.]

My '64 convert is missing 3 capacitors (condensers), the one that attaches to the back of the oil pressure gauge (brown wire), the one that attaches to the back of the ammeter and the one that connects to the turn signal flasher on the fuse box.

I've read all the threads on capacitors and understand their function but have not found answers to a few questions. Question pertains to the best source for the missing capacitors. Most of the usual suspect vendors (LIC, Paragon, ZIP, etc) carry them and they are about $20 each. Some vendors state that their capacitors have the "correct markings and numbers".

That said, is it worth getting these - from a judging standpoint they are obviously new repros but...will they pass inspection? If yes, which vendor is best. Re functionality - do these repros actually work or are (as one private vendor suggests) filled with mystery sand?

Simply stated, I am looking for advice on purchasing the capacitors. Is it worth the $. If they work as intended and get a pass by judging I am for buying the repros. If not, I've noticed auto parts stores carry "AC Delco" replacement capacitors for about $6 each. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Bill L.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

ED:

I can't speak to what a particular judge will or will not do when it comes to the capacitors but I can tell you this much:

I bought all three capacitors that you mention for my '67. One attaches near the ammeter, one near the oil gauge and one at the top just over the temp gauge. Once I received all of the parts from the vendor I noticed that the mounting straps are really problematic.... they do not wrap around the capacitor correctly and the holes for the screws are very large and the base hole is elongated..... It was actually next to impossible to mount them correctly with the original screws --- I ended up digging into my parts stash and finding some old capacitors from other cars and I used the mounting straps with the new capacitors --- and those fit and mounted perfectly ---- see below ---



One additional note --- the capacitor at the bottom near the oil gauge is supposed to plug into a receiver in the wire loom --- however once I found the receiver on my car it already had a wire plugged into it --- I traced it and found a capacitor mounted up on the top of the support bracket behind the main gauge panel --- it was clear that it had been there since inception --- so I did not use the new capacitor for that area --- just left it as I found it.

This is the one that I did not use (the car already had one---)

As delivered:



As altered so it will mount correctly (Note: this is just an example as I did not use this capacitor ---)

There is huge difference in the mounting strap and other than the holes being a problem the length of the strap itself is so far off that you can't really get these things mounted correctly ---



One final note about the vendors --- three of them that I tried seem to get the capacitors from the same source --- so from what I can tell you will still need the correct straps regardless of the vendor you choose.

Also...there is a fourth capacitor that plugs into the brake light switch at the top of the brake pedal--- it mounts on left side of the steering column bracket --- and plugs into "both" sides of the brake light with plug ---- just one more little bit of fun for you !!!

Hope this helps a bit -----

Regards
Bill

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Bill, Thanks for the advice and information. Seems nothing is easy. Those mounting straps are obviously quite different than OEM stuff. As I stated in my original post, I have found several sources for what is advertised as "AC Delco capacitors" - not very expensive, around $6 or so, but they have no markings on them at all. But... the mounting straps are a lot closer to the original OEM design than what you received from a vendor. I am inclined to order one or two and attempt to use the AC Delc mounting straps with the correctly numbered capacitors. Pic of the AC Delco item is attached. Thanks again.

[Bill L.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Ed:

My thought would be to go with the less expensive capacitor and see how it judges out at a meet. You can always go the route that I did.

I probably would have gone with the cheaper ones as well but just did not think of it to be honest ...

I guess if a judge really wanted to they could get a mirror up behind the gauge panel and read the markings ---- but I don't think I would be the happiest camper in the forest if they knocked something loose !!!! I would hope that they would consider that possibility in advance....but you never know ---

Regards
Bill

[Scott P.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Ed, you have a PM. Scott

[Brian T.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

The clamps that you are referring to as correct are actually not correct. The correct clamp looks like the one shown that came with the new repro. The ones that seem to fit well are used in to mount the capacitor on the distributor breaker plate. Yes the correct capacitor clamp does seem odd, and is a bit tricky to mount as the factory method clamped it in place, and gave it a push up out of the way so they wouldn't be noticed from the front. I have a long skinny needle nose that I modified a bit to kind of hold it snug just before giving the mount screw the final turn to hold in place. Works like a charm, as it did from the factory!

[Bob W.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Ed Iam also looking at the capacitors for my 63 . The prices are to high for what you get if they are not correct . Can you post the ac numbers for the ones you found ?

Thanks Bob

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Bob,

I did a search for "AC Delco capacitors" - found a number of them on a web company called CarParts.com. Here is the link to their page with all their capacitors: http://www.carparts.com/results/?Ntt...ype=global&N=0 .

Notice that all these capacitors are listed as "ignition capacitors". They have a few "radio capacitors" but they are not AC Delco brand.

Also, if you go to Amazon and do a search for "AC Delco Capacitors" you will get 4 pages of old style aluminum tube capacitors (I still like to call them condensers). Most are in the $8 to $12 range, there are 24 per page - so you will have a lot to chose from. I clicked on a few different capacitors (randomly) to see what info was available for the items. Interesting - on some it said "ship within 2 to 3 days", on others it said, "usually shipped within 1 to 2 months"! In the details they give an AC Delco OEM #. Also - all these capacitors are for ignitions and they are titled as "professional ignition capacitors", I wonder how much an unprofessional capacitor costs? I hope this helps. If you find anything new or more please post to this thread.

[Bob W.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Ed thank you for the help. If I find any other info will post it. Is their any difference between capacitors and condensers?
Bob

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Is their any difference between capacitors and condensers?
Bob

None. These gizmos were called "condensers" years ago, 50s, 60s and possibly later. I recently found an article that stated that the auto industry change the name to capacitor sometime in the not too distant past (not sure when) because from an EE perspective the term capacitor better describes the functionality of the part. All magic to me. All I know is a tune up consisted of changing the "points, plugs and condenser" and you were good for another 10,000 miles.

[David S.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

How about checking the driveline magazine
i am sure i saw someone advertising original capacitors for sale

[Enzo C.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Are these capacitors actually judged? They are very hard to see under the dash... Just curious as I have never seen a judge check ?

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Radio Capacitors - need advice

Are these capacitors actually judged? They are very hard to see under the dash... Just curious as I have never seen a judge check ?

Don't know - I was hoping a judge would weigh in with a comment on this one. I do know that at least one - the one that is adjacent to the signal flasher is easily accessible; the ones that connect to the back of the instrument cluster can be seen with a mirror or if you are agile enough to lie down and get your head under the cluster. I want the capacitors to eliminate some static I have on the am band - and to make the car "more complete" that it is now.