Technical Condenser problem

Hey guys I've got a 302 ford in my 3 window. Once a year now I've had to replace the condenser. It has a Mallory dual point in it. Is it possible I'm running wrong condesor, or any other idea what could be burning it up? Thanks

 

Are you running one of the large brass Mallory condensers that originally came with these units, or a regular automotive condenser? (I assume it is mounted on the outside of the distributor, as the second set of points takes up the space where the condenser "lives" in a conventional distributor.) You should be aware that the original Mallory condensers are 360 nano-farads while a standard automotive condenser is usually in the low to mid 200 nano-farad range. As a practical matter, I have found this makes no difference on condenser life, though it might affect point life. It's probably just a matter of inferior foreign made condensers. Next time, try to go to NAPA and try to find a Standard Auto Parts unit. They are usually better quality than something you would get at O'Reilly's etc.

Or you could try to find an original Mallory, though they are getting harder and harder to find lately. Because of this, I am making reproduction units by packaging a modern severe duty film condenser in a large brass case. ( I think they look neater, too!)

 

I had the original condenser go bad on my Mallory dulepiont within months of putting it in. So I had the chuckle head behind the napa parts counter look up the condenser for a Ford duelpiont and ran it for ten years with the same points in the distributor.

 

yeah, ten years ago you could get a decent condenser

 

Fixed that for ya.

 

I was in 2003 so it was 16 years ago....