Bucking bronco

[militarypotts]

My new coil arrived from Ohio today. Really quick service. I ordered it on Saturday and it arrived Monday morning. That's the good news, the bad news is it's the same old chromed coil from China. As we all are aware, this is about our only choice, other than finding one out of a parts only truck, or at some kind of military swap meet. Even then, you don't really know the condition of the coil. I'll give it a shot and see what happens.

[Nailhead]

Don,
While I would be worried like you, there probably aren't many thieves that can drive a manual shift...

A month or so ago, I drove the 715 to a friend's house about 30 miles to the north. He calls a buddy of ours named Rob who drives up while I happen to be in the bathroom. When I came out, an old Honda Accord had been traded for my truck. After about ten minutes, my truck reappears and out hops a 50-year old man who was giggling like a schoolgirl.

Don't count on the security of a stick shift.

[militarypotts]

Today I took the time to bench test two coils I had, as compared to the new one I just received. All three readings are almost identical. I'm starting to think maybe this recent issue was with the condenser and possibly even the points. With this being said, I've decided to install the Pertronix 161A electronic ignition system I got some time ago and just never put it in because my truck was running so well.
Am I correct in saying that a bad condenser will cause the engine to miss and therefore cause the periodic bucking I was experiencing? Also the not being able to fire up the motor.
All I've read about the Pertronix system seems to be positive. Any thoughts out there?

[Don Cavey]

Yes, a condenser can cause grief. My other hobby is electronics and capacitors (the present term for condensers) are the source of most problems with vintage electronic equipment. However, a bad condenser will cause the points to erode rather quickly. I have a lot of equipment that will do an accurate test of a capacitor/condenser. What is missing though is what value that one should "see" when testing them!

I guess you have nothing to lose by changing out your ignition components to electronic.

With all of this being said, it seems that these Chinese coils are fine when cold. They seem to crap out when they get warm/hot. So a bench test may not uncover the defect. Surely that was the case with mine. And I tossed it into the bin with a smile on my face.

Please let us know what you find. And I sincerely hope that you get to bottom of this issue.

[militarypotts]

Thanks Don. Only because I had purchased the Pertronix 161A awhile back , am I going to try it out. I like the idea of it being a simpler system overall. Being enclosed in the ignitor will still keep everything looking original at first glance. Also, the reviews have all been positive. It all sounds great, IF this is my problem. As for the coils themselves, I'm out of options there. I have to use what's available I guess. I did read that a bad condenser can cause a very rough ride as the rpm's increase, so I hope this was my problem. As I've gotten older, I don't get real excited about my truck being down and out. I used to get all bent out of shape if I couldn't make it to the local Friday/Saturday cruise night with it, but now, I just take my time and try to get it running again. I will admit though, when she stopped running in the middle of an intersection, in Friday night rush hour, I was pretty upset. Makes me nervous to think about taking the truck back out on the road again.

[militarypotts]

By the way, you were correct when you said, bench testing a cold coil may give a false reading as compared to when it gets hot. Does heat effect the condenser the same way it does the coil? My electronic's knowledge is pretty basic.

[Don Cavey]

By the way, you were correct when you said, bench testing a cold coil may give a false reading as compared to when it gets hot. Does heat effect the condenser the same way it does the coil? My electronic's knowledge is pretty basic.

I suspect that heat can cause just about any problem. Years ago, condensers were made of paper and aluminum foil. That was the best construction available for years until about the late 50s when Mylar became available. That and polypropylene are the insulators used today.

What was happening with paper was that it broke down and creates an acid. That acid would cause it to leak (electronically) from one aluminum sheet to the other rendering it useless. Mylar does not break down like that.

I have used my capacitor checker to test them. They are usually OK but inexpensive so they get replaced. Actually, you can file the points and they are fine. But since the price is very low, replacement just makes sense. And if you do measure a condenser, what should the capacity be, .58mfd, .33mfd? You won't find that information anywhere.

[Nailhead]

I got lucky on the coil front: 1. We had the perfect opportunity to start fresh with a 12V wiring harness and accessories. 2. I had the cash to do so. 3. A member here had an NOS civvy distributor (thanks again Kwai). 4. My buddy Harry had a 12V starter in his parts pile. 5. Absolute originality isn't that important to me.

Every time I read about these sketchy coils, I get a flash of gratitude for the above, knowing that keeping air in my tires is my truck's only chronic problem.

Not trying to gloat, just mentioning it FWIW.