Should I just go ahead and replace the condenser during restoration?

[TMX_Maverick]

To you more experienced Bridgestone restorers (in other words, everyone else but me), should I just replace my condenser because I'm there?

I'm reassembling the engine with (mostly) all new seals, bearings, gaskets, rings, bolts, etc. It was non-running (locked up) when I bought it, so I have no reason to suspect a bad condenser.

I'm about ready to reinstall the magneto assembly. I will replace the points, which is a no-brainer, because they are visibly pitted and easy to replace. But I notice the condenser replacement is a bit more involved because of soldering wires.

Both the point set and the condenser are now available on Richard's 6X6 site, so I can obtain them easily. But if a "new" condenser is NOS (i.e., old), can I trust it any more than the one already in my magneto assembly? I know I could probably test my condenser... but if it tests good, should I replace it anyway?

[czmike]

Well, you could just replace it Mav but it is best to get any ignition condenser you intend to use tested by an old-skool ignition guy.
He should have the special equipment needed to confirm whether a condenser is good or bad. Be happy to pay him (for good work).
A high voltage (300 - 500V) test is required so testing with an ordinary multimeter is not very useful.
Old & NOS capacitors should always be suspected and should only be used if they pass the proper tests.

I suggest you replace the original condenser and fit a new one that passes the tests.
I would avoid NOS condensers (they are usually too expensive for me anyway).
Bosch condensers have a good reputation for quality  - but get any new one tested as the quality of new ones varies widely!
A guy who rebuilds magnetos should have the equipment you need. Or a Hot Rodder.

Don't fear the soldering required to fit an new condenser.
This is a skill anybody can learn given the correct equipment, some training & a bit of practice.
You might not make a perfect job of it the first time but keep at it and the skill will come.


Best Regards,

Mike Munday,
Melbourne, Australia 

[TMX_Maverick]

Thank you, Mike. After you wrote, I happened to find an "old-skool" magneto guy in the same town I work. So I dropped it off with him for a basic inspection as-is.
All the other ignition shops seem to be miles away.
Depending on the outcome of his tests -- and my sense of how knowledgeable he actually turns out to be -- I'll decide how to proceed.
I appreciate your help!

[czmike]

Thanks for the update mate!

The important thing to take away from this is that ignition condensers are critically important parts in any ignition.
Most think they are just there to stop burning up the points but that is their least important job (but important nonetheless).
If you tested an ignition without a condenser fitted you would see a very weak spark.
A spark that would probably not run an engine or if it did start it would run very poorly.

Condensers fail in several ways and each type of failure requires it's own test equipment so they are a bit of a pain.
Two important questions to ask your guy are:
1. What was the leakage? (this is the Insulation Resistance of the condenser - the result of the high voltage test)
2. What was the capacitance?

Let us know the results please.

Mike