Lancia Motor Club

Hello all, does anyone know what part number a condenser for a 1600Hf is, I am after a pattern part number,  i.e. Intermotor, Lucas etc, or are they the same as some of the Beta range, I know they are different to the 1300, as it has a fly lead from where the lead comes off the points and connects to the coil. thanks.

I have looked in the 1970 part book, 1600 condenser, you are correct it is different to 1300 not sure about Beta, Lancia part number: 2272759, Marelli: 56.181.126.

good selection here...

http://www.gsparkplug.com/ignition/condensers/fits-marelli-fiat-distributors

All condensers will do the same job. Just choosing the correct termination and mounting.

Not sure about that, as some have a different number of micro farads. Does anyone know what the optimum number is? When I changed over the Lambda's ignition from magneto to sports coil, it seems to have made the points wear more rapidly. Should I have changed the condenser as well? I did change the plug gaps of course.
Regards, John

John is correct in that there are different values of microfarads. According to my old data books, all the Fulvias and Flavias need a 0.25 mfd. I have a listing of Lucas No.DCB 864. and a generic Bosch No. 1 237 330 809.
As long as you can get the correct value it`s not important about type of terminal. For instance if you have a spade terminal you put it on the coil direct (negative terminal if Neg. earth) and bolt to the coil mounting bracket. They don`t need to be in/on the distributor.
If you have too higher value it will pit the moving points contact. and under capacited will pit the stationary contact.
John

Thanks John and John  :) I thought the same about the micro farads value, but was too lazy to respond ;D

http://www.gsparkplug.com/ignition/condensers/fits-marelli-fiat-distributors.

Intermotor 33860 apparently

I saw a post - not on LMC Forum let me add!!  - which suggested a 12v condenser would work happily on a 6v system so I put a new Marelli one I had for a Flavia onto the Aprilia. I [think] the timing is ok now but runs very badly so could I have the wrong condenser? If so, what do I use and if not does anybody want a cheap Aprilia!!!!! I realise now just how brilliant the Augusta is for non-mechanically minded folk.

Brian

PS sorry to highjack a Fulvia post - perhaps I should have either continued Aprilia one or started a new one.

I think the best way to check the ignition timing is with a strobe. At tick-over the A/A mark should be at the pointer and when you rev the engine it should show more advance. 1 tooth out makes a difference. On the Lambda it's 2.8 degrees, but I forget what it would be on an Aprilia. Do you happen to know how many teeth the flywheel has?
I suspect that the 12 volt condenser will not work as well as a 6 volt one on an Aprilia, although I would be inclined to ask John Savage, who understands such things!
Regards, John

The number of microfarads (capacity) is immaterial so long as it is "sufficient" (as Rolls Royce used to say when asked about horse-power).   All the capacitor has to do is allow the passage oc AC current (reverberating across the points and causing sparks and erosion) while blocking DC = spark at plug.  In fact, any one of decent size will do, bigger better than smaller as it will allow the passage of more current.  I have a 2CV one on the Lambda - works fine and is pretty cheap.

Hi

Just my two penny worth.

First on the voltage rating, so long as it is higher than the use intended, then in principle one intended for 12V use will work in a 6V setup. The issue of its capacitance i.e. micro farad value is most likely not so simple. I always understood the capacity is designed to stop the points from arcing by 'soaking up' the charge generated (Back EMF) by the points opening and the consequent voltage from the coil. So it should be matched to the coil in theory. How much leeway is sensible, I have no information on, but would imagine there is an optimum for each coil value with a reasonable spread in values which work ok. Too small a value is not good, but no idea if a much larger than optimum would cause issues.

Peter

Intermotor 33860 apparently  Thanks Tim, thats for the 1300

Hello Roger.  As you will know, the 1600 dizzy needs a longer lead to the points, than the 1300 unit.  I have a new Facet unit which I carry in the car as a spare, and the box is marked "Facet 0.0612"  On the end of the body of the condenser is "612F  Italy  9E"  As well as the longer lead, it also has the much longer cable that comes out of the dizzy body (with grommet) and goes to the coil, all integrated into one.  I see that the correct Facet number unit is listed on eBay, from Italy or Germany, but what is not clear from the images is if both cables are present, or just the one to the points.  Hope of use?

Regards - Roddy