The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Checking condensor

I test condensers by installing one in a distributor. If the engine pops, backfires, stumbles, has no power under load or acceleration, then I assume that the condenser is bad. Keep installing new ones until one works.

>> Don't replace condensers when you install new points, even though that's the way that we were taught in the 50s / 60s. If it is working then keep it.

Condensers are going the way of the buggy whip. Fewer cars need them, so major manufacturers are farming them out to off shore companies with less quality control. At least that's the state of condensers for low volume vehicles ... like my '55 MG TF.

New condensers for my MG are often bad right out of the box. Some owners have modified their distributors to accept condensers for high volume 1970's vehicles like Chevrolets. I use a condenser for a 1978 Plymouth Arrow in my MG because it fits and it works.

Lonnie