corvette distributor - internal condensor

[Jerry B.]

Will a faulty igniton condensor prevent an engine from starting?

[Joe R.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

Jerry,

The Capacitor is there to reduce the pitting/arcing of the points and increase the usable life of the points. Most capacitors go open and not closed. Indeed if the cap shorts to ground the engine will not start. If you suspect that condition just remove the cap and if the engine starts it's indeed grounded. Don't run it with the cap removed as any parts store should be able to supply you with a correct capacitor.

JR

[Michael B.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

Cranking with a dwell meter attached should give you a reading. If it is grounded you won't get a reading.

[John D.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

Jerry, Stay away from NOS DR condensers. John

[Jerry B.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

Would NAPA be the way to go?

[Richard M.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

Would NAPA be the way to go?

Yup, all my tuneup parts come from there......I believe the ECH RR175 covers from '56 to '74 SB & BB

I went through a crazy stall and no-start on a '56 recently. Weak spark. Pulled the condenser, still no start. Tested the points statically with meter/test light, good. Cleaned 'em, checked gap, still no start. Weak spark. Changed the coil with a brand new Napa coil, still no start, still weak spark. Tested ignition wires, good. Head scratching. Changed the points. Started right up. Geesh, the simple things sometimes.

Jerry, did you check spark? Fuel good? Got voltage at the coil in crank?

[Duke W.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

Would NAPA be the way to go?

Any "name brand" ignition part you buy - Delco, Niehoff, BWD, Echlin, Standard/Blue Streak, etc. is made by Standard Motor Products. The only difference is the name on the box, so buy on price and convenience.

Capacitors can "wear out", so always install a new one every time you change points.

Before you swap out the old points, set the dwell angle to spec, then put both the old points and condensor in your road spares kit. If you ever have a problem on the road just swap the old parts back in, and they will get you home.

BTW, "condenser" is an archaic name for what are now called capacitors throughout the EE world, but it's so ingrained in the auto trade that it won't go away.

Duke

[Jerry B.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

First of all, I want to thank all for your input. I tried three sets of non -Delco points. All three were defective. USA YES Replaced with foil pack Delcos and started right up. The guess "NOS" parts can.deteriorate in time. A real education..never give up!!

[Leif A.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

do you have a web address for USA YES...I googled that a came up with nothing.

[Duke W.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

First of all, I want to thank all for your input. I tried three sets of non -Delco points. All three were defective. USA YES Replaced with foil pack Delcos and started right up. The guess "NOS" parts can.deteriorate in time. A real education..never give up!!

I don't understand what you're saying here. What were the brands and part number of the three sets of points that you say were defective. Current "Delco" points are made by Standard Motor Products.

Points are simple devices, and if they don't work it should be obvious why? So why did they not work?

A "foil pack" set of Delco points would probably be made by GM and be at least 20 years old.

Your distributor could have other issues. Frayed or broken breaker plate ground wires are showing up more frequently now that they are 40-60 years old.

Duke

[Jerry B.]

Re: corvette distributor - internal condensor

Years ago, you could not find iginition points made in the USA. Foil wrappped Delco were far and few to find. I was a huge flea marketer back in the day and found points produced by the (FMP). Fullwell Motot Parts. The Fullwell Co. was found in California in 1940. According to Google, they are located in Cleveland,Ohio. The label on the box states the following apps. all Chevy V8,s from 1956-67. These points were made in the USA and preset by the factory. "Yes USA" If you placed the FMP points next to Delco's P106PS, you could not tell the difference. Everything was identical. Oh yes, my problems were due a bad dwell meter.