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zapping condensers

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fozbuzz
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zapping condensers

Post by fozbuzz » Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:22 am

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?
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jfrprops
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by jfrprops » Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:59 am

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.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

Riviera Wish
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by Riviera Wish » Wed Feb 28, 2018 12:48 pm

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

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drrot
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by drrot » Wed Feb 28, 2018 2:59 pm

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:
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

fozbuzz
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by fozbuzz » Wed Feb 28, 2018 3:56 pm

Thanks Jim, I'll look for the "Made in USA" part next time!!

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drrot
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by drrot » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:09 pm

ASK for it :D Expect to pay 50% more. You'll save that much in aspirin.
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

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Bilge Rat
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by Bilge Rat » Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:19 am

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:
1966 Lyman Cruisette 25 foot "Serenity Now!"
1953 Chris Craft Sportsman 22 foot "Summerwind"

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evansjw44
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by evansjw44 » Sun Mar 04, 2018 1:11 pm

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
Jim Evans

jfrprops
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by jfrprops » Sun Mar 04, 2018 1:30 pm

Good point by Jim as above. I have had that happen too.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

fozbuzz
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by fozbuzz » Mon Mar 05, 2018 7:24 am

Thanks, Jim, I'll check into that as well!!

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tkhersom
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by tkhersom » Fri Mar 09, 2018 7:23 am

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!
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

jim g
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by jim g » Fri Mar 09, 2018 5:16 pm

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.

fozbuzz
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by fozbuzz » Fri Mar 09, 2018 6:08 pm

IAY-4009 distributor for 95 hp K motor--NAPA has 'em listed under a Sierra number

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drrot
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by drrot » Sat Mar 10, 2018 10:03 am

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.
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sierra.jpg
Sierra catalog.
Last edited by drrot on Sun Mar 11, 2018 11:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

jim g
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by jim g » Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:15 pm

Sierra is junk. They rebox the cheapest parts they can find.

jfrprops
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by jfrprops » Sun Mar 11, 2018 11:53 am

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
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

fozbuzz
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by fozbuzz » Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:01 pm

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!!

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tkhersom
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by tkhersom » Fri Apr 06, 2018 7:23 pm

GREAT fix! :D

That would be a hard one to find.
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

jfrprops
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by jfrprops » Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:21 am

wow....I have to admit I knew of that potential problem....but being old and stupid...I forgot it.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

fozbuzz
Posts: 58
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:50 pm
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Re: zapping condensers

Post by fozbuzz » Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:21 pm

That was my original problem--old and stupid!!

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