Distributor Problems or coil?

Tech tips and how to's

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jrusso07
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Re: Distributor Problems or coil?

Post by jrusso07 »

Ok, for the geeks in quarantine, the condenser is also called a capacitor, it will store DC signals (I.e. charge up) but it looks like a resistor to AC signals. The higher the frequency of the AC signal the lower the resistance (actually called reactance)of the condenser. The equation for reactance is 1 divided by 2 pie x frequency in hertz x capacitance in farads. When the points open, the coil, being an inductor, wants to source current, but the circuit is open, so the voltage rises very quickly (called back EMF) and the rapid change in voltage looks like a high frequency ac signal. The condenser acts like a low value resistance that shunts the voltage to ground so the points don't arc. This happens thousands of times per minute (engine rpm x 4).

See what happens without social interaction. I need another bourbon.
Joe

1969 SRL311 - Solex
1970 SPL311 - U20 mod
1970 SRL311
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Linda
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Re: Distributor Problems or coil?

Post by Linda »

I thought I was getting a Covid19 fever, but then I realized it was just my brain overheating from reading that post. :shock:

Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
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jrusso07
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Re: Distributor Problems or coil?

Post by jrusso07 »

Linda wrote: Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:22 pm I thought I was getting a Covid19 fever, but then I realized it was just my brain overheating from reading that post. :shock:

Linda
Bourbon up will help
Joe

1969 SRL311 - Solex
1970 SPL311 - U20 mod
1970 SRL311
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MattC
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Re: Distributor Problems or coil?

Post by MattC »

Love that post Joe. Brought me back to my physics classes. Fun stuff!
Matt

1970 2000 #14204
2004 350Z Roadster
2014 Tundra

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C.Costine
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Re: Distributor Problems or coil?

Post by C.Costine »

Here is another distributor/coil puzzle. I had to remove the motor/transmission to replace the clutch release bearing. Yesterday was start-up time. She wouldn't start, not a single pop. As I was checking things I found power to the coil and distributor with the key off but not when the key was on. It was running very well before removal, and no wiring changes were made. One little clue was that as I was checking number 4 plug I noticed a little metallic/rattling sound from the other side of the firewall. I will be working on it again this AM.
located in Chester NH
1967 1600 in restoration
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Ford 9000 puller, Ford 960 puller, Ford 901show, Ford 971 worker, Oliver 70 waiting its turn
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