Practically Classics Forum

Hi Guys,

I've owned a Triumph Spitfire 1500 for around 7 years and it has generally run perfectly during that time however over the last 12 months or so the condenser has started breaking down really quickly. It started breaking down maybe every couple of thousand miles but this frequency has increased and at the moment it will run for around 300 - 400 miles before it breaks and needs to be replaced. I've tried replacing the coil, points, plugs, leads, distrbutor cap etc but it is still happening. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this?

Thanks for your help, Phil

Moved to "Technical" section.

Probable reason is that they are cr*p condensors you are using.

I'd recommend getting some decent ones - best supplier IMHO is Martin, at the Distributor Doctor - he does good mail order and the parts are reasonably priced, and most importantly they are really good quality, and if you have any problem with any of his stuff he will take an interest and try and sort you out.

http://www.distributordoctor.com/

Cheers

Fit electronic ignition, prices are reasonable these days and does away with points & condensor, sorted!




John Simpson.

I concur with both learned replies namely c***p condensors and convert to electronics
I experienced exactly the same problem as you have with several cars in recent years - they don't make em like they used to apparentlly, condensors or contact sets that is
Go for a Hall effect system, they are the easiest to fit and even the premier makes such as A******k are very reasonable in price. They fit completely under the distributor cap, so are virtually unobtrusive

Best bet is the Britpart system from MM4x4, still under £15 to your door and that's the same system that Simon-BBC sell for rather more money. If you know of 499 others who want one, please say so because the units can be bought at 60p each direct from China for a minimum order quantity of 500.

In the multiple test that I did for a bunch of R3W members a few years ago, that system was the second most stable after the vastly dearer Lumenition Optronic.
If you must stick with contacts and caps, let me know and I'll send you a couple of decent, Russian military-spec Paper-in-oil capacitors to experiment with. These can either be fitted in the hollowed out can of the original or externally to the distributor.

My money would be on the Britpart since I've fitted more than two dozen now and the only failure I've heard tell of was caused by the owner of the car not using the supplied thermal paste to fit it to the baseplate.
If you use a ballasted coil, bin that and cut back the ballasted feed or remove the ceramic dropper if that's what it has, fit a constant 12Volt supply and a Lucas DLB105, then you'll get the full benefit of the electronic device.

Great stuff, cheers for all your help. I've ordered an electronic system, fitting it sounds like the perfect job for a wet bank holiday weekend!