Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Lomerc1]

Hi All

I have a 1923 Metallurgique car ( 4 cylinder, 2 litre) that was originally fitted with a Bosch Magneto. At some stage in its life the magneto has been converted to coil ignition and uses the magneto as a distributer.
In the future I intend to convert it back to magneto ignition but in the meantime I have a problem.
Recently the engine stopped running and in checking out the ignition system I determined that the condenser had failed as the engine started when I installed a new "universal" ( the parts shop words, not mine) condenser.

The question is that apart from the physical shape, how do you determine what capacity condenser I should use.
The car has a 12V system with a Lucas coil with a voltage reducer ( resister?) on it. The condenser I took of it had no markings to show what the micofarad rating was.

What happens if you use a condenser that does not have the correct capacity?
Why are there different capacities?

I might add that I dont understand the technicalities of the ignition system at all so if you have a solution please keep it simple

David

[Phil - Nottingham]

A standard coil set up will run on almaost any standard auto condensor and mots are so called universal these days - the difference in MOST specific ones are the mounts and terminals only
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Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2

[Nic Jarman]

Phil is right, but just one thing to watch for if it has a ballast restistor it may be a bit more picky about its condenser. The physical size is a clue, or just go for any old condenser and if it starts and ticks over but misfires when given some revs suspect the condenser is the wrong value. Or do the easy thing and fit an electronic ignition amp.
Good luck.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[Phil - Nottingham]

Nominally 0.22Ωf

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/ignitiontext.htm
_________________
Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2