Why is it always weird stuff that breaks?

[Jordan Baker]

Here is the new made condenser and how it fits into the distributor.

[Lynn Eades]

So Jordan, as it is not round, it is unlikely to contain rolled up tin foil and wax paper. By what means does it achieve its necessary characteristics? (capacitance)
The capacitance (measured in microfarads) is important. Being not enough, or too much, will cause the transfer of material one way or the other at the contacts, markedly shortening the life of the contact set. British Fords around the 1970s used to have the mfds painted or stamped on the condenser body (eg. 7 mfd, 8 mfd) I think I have owned flathead v8 condensers similarly marked.

[Jordan Baker]

Lynn

This thread talks about them at length

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads...Number/1388813

[Jesse Browning]

I’ve always stayed away from NOS or old ignition capacitors. They don’t age well. The electrolyte evaporates. They may work when cool, but the value changes when they heat up. Then your left stranded some distance from home. I’ve known more than one person on MV forums who had a “wont run when hot” problem that spent thousands chasing down vapor lock, replacing carbs, fuel lines, fuel pumps, and fuel tanks when the problem was a $5 condenser. I’ve always told people to buy a new condenser, but now that’s not the solution either. BTW. The electronic replacement module has capacitors. Maybe hundreds of them. You just can’t see them.