Page 1 of 1

zapping condensers

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:22 am
by fozbuzz
My '58 Sportsman w/K motor is eating condensers--get fire in and out of coil, points firing, no fire to plugs--replaced EVERYTHING-- enjoyed a blissful morning run on glassy Lake Greenwood, went to load onto trailer, wouldn't crank! Got home, same scenario, good fire everywhere except to plugs. Chatted w/old friend who's worked on every engine known to exist--said condenser's bad--replaced condenser, fired right up! Another fabulous morning on Lake Murray, same thing AGAIN, had to go swimming to load boat--any ideas?

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:59 am
by jfrprops
yep, I have an idea: the trash quality foreign condensers on the market today. I don't have a solution...perhaps someone can recommend a reliable brand/manufacturer?
John in Va.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 12:48 pm
by Riviera Wish
Would be interesting to learn what happens when you try another brand of condenser. Please advise. Also, please indicate sources of condensers if the manufacturer is the problem; I have a 'K' engine also. Thanks

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 2:59 pm
by drrot
madeinusa.jpg
Look for this
NOTmadeinusa.jpg
Avoid this. Or if it starts with C or J RUN.
smile.jpg
There is good reason it looks like a smiley face.
There is a known issue with imported condensers. :lol:

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 3:56 pm
by fozbuzz
Thanks Jim, I'll look for the "Made in USA" part next time!!

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:09 pm
by drrot
ASK for it :D Expect to pay 50% more. You'll save that much in aspirin.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:19 am
by Bilge Rat
While you're at the supply store buy a couple of spares! Easy enough to change should you have another on-the-water failure! :shock:

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 1:11 pm
by evansjw44
I had a similar experience some years ago. Without telling a long tale the problem turned out to be the contact between the condenser body (ground) and actual ground. I sanded the breaker plate area under the condenser mount to bright metal and the connection between the breaker plate and the distributor body. My problems went away. I have found that tend to have moisture accumulate undet the distributor cap. My engines are 327Fs with Prestolite distributors

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 1:30 pm
by jfrprops
Good point by Jim as above. I have had that happen too.

John in Va.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 7:24 am
by fozbuzz
Thanks, Jim, I'll check into that as well!!

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 7:23 am
by tkhersom
Had the same trouble with condensers a couple of years ago with my W's. Also had a set of points spring break.

My solution was to change to Pertronix ignition that I purchased from Fine Wood Boats.

Good Luck!

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 5:16 pm
by jim g
Are you sure you have the right condenser for your distributor? They are not a one size fits all and most parts places are not going to have a listing for yours.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 6:08 pm
by fozbuzz
IAY-4009 distributor for 95 hp K motor--NAPA has 'em listed under a Sierra number

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 10:03 am
by drrot
I would be very cautious with that NAPA. See the current Sierra catalog. They don't offer condensers for your application. Also Sierra reboxes other parts, they generally don't make anything.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:15 pm
by jim g
Sierra is junk. They rebox the cheapest parts they can find.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 11:53 am
by jfrprops
You know in all my years of working on boats, I never considered this "reboxing" of parts scam? Those aftermarket guys must be shady characters to do that stuff. How prevalent do we think that is?

John in Va

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:01 pm
by fozbuzz
Finally solved the problem!!! there's an insulating tube between distributor housing and the bolt that holds the points and provides power--had a hole in it shorting to the distributor housing!! Knocked the metal out of a 10-12 ga StaKon butt connector, cut to fit, took a 4 hour ride last Sunday!!! Thanks for all the come-backs, guys!!

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 7:23 pm
by tkhersom
GREAT fix! :D

That would be a hard one to find.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:21 am
by jfrprops
wow....I have to admit I knew of that potential problem....but being old and stupid...I forgot it.

John in Va.

Re: zapping condensers

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:21 pm
by fozbuzz
That was my original problem--old and stupid!!