The previous owner of my '66 Monza installed a Pertronix ignition system but left the points condenser intact.

Does the condenser serve any purpose with a Pertronix ignition? Can it be removed?

If I can, I'd like to get rid of the condenser before it creates a problem. If it serves a purpose with the new ignition, I will replace it with a new unit.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2017 05:37PM by MattNall.

If you're speaking of the condenser on the coil "+" terminal; that one stays in place. It's there to keep whacko coil voltage from getting into the vehicle electrical system.

If, somehow, the PO put a condenser inside the distributor, that's a mistake and it should be removed.

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

Thanks. You are correct. I am referring to the condenser on the coil.

Can you post a pic of this? I have burnt 2 Petronix units because of high voltage, thinking it was an alternator problem I replaced the voltage modulator but burnt another Petronix, seems to only happen upon fast idle when first started.

Don
AKA (Polyvairist)
Kansas City
HACOA
Broken Halo Corvair Garage
62 Rampside
62 Corvair Coupe (Flicka)
64 Spyder Coupe (Bill Pierson Car)
64 Monza Convertible,140/4 Speed,Electric Heat,Kelsey Hayes Wheels
64 Spyder Blown, (Dave Bolduc Car)
65 Corsa Convertible Triple Black, 140/4 Speed with A/C (aka Blackie)
65 Corsa 3.1 Liter Triple Weber (aka Unsafe)
66 Corvair V8 SuperVair (Created by Archibald Evans)
66 Avenger, Corvair Turbo, Fuel Injected, Air to Water intercool 140. (Michael Mann Car)

The common ways to "burn" a Pertronix-1 (black module) are:
1) Leave the key ON with the engine not running
2) Coil + ballast combined total resistance is less then 3.0 ohms

What makes you think your "system" voltage was too high? What was it?

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

Have a fuse block in the back and it has blown a 40 amp fuse each time along with the Petronix being burnt, only happens when running at fast idle. I need to revisit the wiring but I do not remember any condenser on the coil. I had put this one the back burner as I reassemble the 63 Sedan. Sedan is at the paint shop for some minor repairs then to the upholstery shop for all new interior. So been busy moving cars all weekend, Unsafe is in garage for prep to start the race season and 62 (Flicka) was moved into a spot I can start working on the car to determine the voltage/amp spikes causing the blown fuses and Petronix units being burnt.

Don
AKA (Polyvairist)
Kansas City
HACOA
Broken Halo Corvair Garage
62 Rampside
62 Corvair Coupe (Flicka)
64 Spyder Coupe (Bill Pierson Car)
64 Monza Convertible,140/4 Speed,Electric Heat,Kelsey Hayes Wheels
64 Spyder Blown, (Dave Bolduc Car)
65 Corsa Convertible Triple Black, 140/4 Speed with A/C (aka Blackie)
65 Corsa 3.1 Liter Triple Weber (aka Unsafe)
66 Corvair V8 SuperVair (Created by Archibald Evans)
66 Avenger, Corvair Turbo, Fuel Injected, Air to Water intercool 140. (Michael Mann Car)

Which wire has the 40-amp fuse? What's your alternator's output amp rating?

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts