[Rhino]

Im currently in the process of mildly restoring an 1ltr zook to its former glory.
Im used to working on 1.3s so i'll possibly have quite a few questions on various 1.0 things.

Question 1. Im replacing the condenser. when trying to buy one i was given the option of either an 0.22 or 0.25uf.
Will it make a difference depending on which one i use?
If so which one should i use?

Cheers Ryan

[harvs]

The purpose of the condener, or capacitor as I like to call them being an australian electrical guy, is to dampen (for want of a better word) the flyback voltage from the coil to stop it arcing across the points badly and thus prematurely burning out the points.

So, too high a capacitance and the amount of spark will be reduced. Too low a capacitance and your points will wear quickly.

However, the amount of difference you're talking about there will make sod all difference. Just get either you can put your hands on and be happy.

Unless it's a precision capacitor (which it wont be) they typically have a tolerance of +/- 20% anyway.

[harvs]

Sorry, just one more note to add. The capacitor should be set for the coil and not the car type. Hence you once upon a time use to see high performance coils (different to standard) with a capacitor strapped to side because it needed a larger one than factory.

[fordem]

harvs wrote:

The purpose of the condener, or capacitor as I like to call them being an australian electrical guy, is to dampen (for want of a better word) the flyback voltage from the coil to stop it arcing across the points badly and thus prematurely burning out the points.

So, too high a capacitance and the amount of spark will be reduced. Too low a capacitance and your points will wear quickly.

However, the amount of difference you're talking about there will make sod all difference. Just get either you can put your hands on and be happy.

Unless it's a precision capacitor (which it wont be) they typically have a tolerance of +/- 20% anyway.

It also stores energy and releases it into the coil improving the quality of the spark - remove the condenser and take a look at the resulting spark (at the plug) - it will be weak & orange rather than strong & blue - most cars will either run poorly or not start at all without the condenser.