OT - Condenser for 1926 Nash

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT - Condenser for 1926 Nash
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joseph A. Stearns on Tuesday, December 09, 2014 - 07:26 pm:

We have a 1926 Nash Ajax that we purchased in 1958 while going to school in the UP of Michigan. It has been in many family weddings an graduations.

Now to my question, how do I properly size the condenser in the distributor for this car? It has a six volt system. I remember the original condenser was rectangular in shape but it has been lost through many location moves through the years.

Thanks. Joe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Tuesday, December 09, 2014 - 07:32 pm:

Get a condenser for a 54 chevrolet. It's likely to be available and should work fine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Tuesday, December 09, 2014 - 07:39 pm:

This document might prove helpful.

http://www.collectorsautosupply.com/DELCO.PDF

It may take a while, but you can also zero in on the proper capacitance for the condenser by trial and error. Run with your best guess condenser, then after a reasonable amount of miles, examine the points and pick a condenser with a higher or lower capacitance based on the following guidelines:

points01

points02

Hope this helps. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Tuesday, December 09, 2014 - 07:44 pm:

Mark. A very nice piece of info. I never knew that about points. I have filed this for future use.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Tuesday, December 09, 2014 - 07:49 pm:

Glad you liked it. It doesn't say it, but the diagram probably assumes a negative ground electrical system. For positive ground, you would probably have to reverse the directions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Clipner-Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 02:06 am:

Ask Aaron Griffey !! He's an ol' Nash man.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joseph A. Stearns on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 09:09 am:

Thanks everyone for the leads. Ted, I will try the 54 Chev condenser as you suggested, George I sent you an e-mail or two. Joe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 11:03 am:

If you can be more specific as to the engine and Model # I can probably look it up in a book. Generally speaking, tho, a six volt universal condenser will work. The only real difference in most of them is whether the lead is the right length, the mounting is correct and whether the car is running a ballast resistor or not. Probably not in 26. AL 102 is the universal Autolite number IIRC. Echlin NAPA should have them in stock.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 11:05 am:

Some of the 50's Chevys ran a ballast resistor, not being much of a Chevy guy I don't know which ones for sure but they were pretty common by then. You might want to access 1930's numbers if you can't find a listing for a 26 Nash and will cross reference. Or add a ballast resistor, which will make your points last much longer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By CharlesHebert on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 01:50 pm:

You may want to try: 20'schevyparts.com Gary Wallace sometimes has the early resistors. If not, try The Filling Station


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 09:10 pm:

ballast resistor is only for 12 volt systems. gives higher volts for better starting, and as it warms upthe resistance dropsit to 6-7 volts, wich is all any points can take with out burning up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 10:53 pm:

6 volt Ford V8 cars and trucks from '32 to '48 used a resistor that dropped the voltage to about 4 volts at the points.
The Ajax was a separate make, like Mercury or Lincoln. It was built by Nash.
When they didn't sell well Nash gave the owners new Nash badges to replace the Ajax badges.
Then the car became the Nash Light 6 for a couple of years, then the Standard 6. I have a '29 std. 6.
Then It became the Lafayette until about '41 or '42 when it was called the Nash 600 until '49 or '50 when it was called the Nash Airflyte and about that time they became Ramblers. All that I have mentioned were small flathead sixes.
The larger OHV cars were Ambassadors. Looked similar but had totally different drive lines, steering and suspensions.

So when you start your model T on six volts do you also switch condensers when you turn it over to mag and the coils start getting 20 or more volts???????
The right coil is more important than the right condenser.
Just get a condenser and fasten it someplace on or near the distributor or coil and run the wire to the side of the coil that goes to the points. extend the wire and change fittings on the end if you have to.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 11:18 pm:

You may notice when Ford went to 12 volt the '56 cars used the same condenser as the 6 volt cars of '55.
Also Botsch (I know, it's Bosch) gives the same part number for a '66 VW beetle condenser (6 volt) as for a '67, which is 12 volt.

When you change a car from 6 volt to 12 volts the coil is changed, but not the points or condenser.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Clipner-Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 11:44 pm:

Thanks Aaron !! you da man .


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank van Ekeren (Australia) on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 11:47 pm:

I have a condenser tester, it's not about voltage but the MFD. (Micrfarads)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Thursday, December 11, 2014 - 12:31 am:

Echlin ignition part numbers. Condensers:
Ford: 6 VOLT
1945-48 FA54
1949-51 FA66
1952-55 FA76

1956-59 12 VOLT FA76

FORD RESISTANCE UNIT:

ALL 6 VOLT CARS AND TRUCKS:
1937-1948 ICR-40
12 VOLT 1956 ICR-10
12 VOLT 1957-59 ICR-11

FORD TRACTOR: ALL WITH SIDE MOUNT DISTRIBUTOR
RESISTANCE UNIT: 1950-58 6 VOLT SYSTEM ICR-40
Earlier Ford tractors with front mount distributor have a special resistor not supplied by Echlin.

INTERNATIONAL TRACTOR:
RESISTANCE UNIT:
1948-55 6 VOLT SYSTEM ALL IF EQUIPPED: ICR-22

ETC.

My 1952 Chevrolet truck, 6 volt, has a ballast resistor mounted on the firewall, somebody must have added it as there is no part number or listing for it in the Echlin parts book.

THE Echlin condenser part number for universal application is AL868. Any NAPA store should have one in stock or any other parts store should be able to cross reference it.

The problem with any generalization is that generally there are exceptions to the generalization, as is shown here by example. Many 6 volt systems use a ballast resistor to drop the voltage at the points to 2.5-3 volts to reduce point burning and pitting.

Most any Ford tractor mechanic working on 9N, 8N NAA, 600 & 800 series Fords - especially the 9N & 8N with the front mount distributors - knows that hard starting and rough running is often caused by the ballast resistor dropping the voltage too low. Replacement of it often cures the problem. It is mounted on the rear of the dash and is a special Ford unit, however it can be replaced by a similar unit from a 40's Ford car if the original style unit is not available.


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