Condenser on Coil??

[Gold Rush]

My '74 came with a condenser attached to the negative side of the coil but I recently read an article stating it should be attached to the positive coil terminal. So, what is the correct one???

Thanks for your help.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I believe it attaches to the positive side of the coil (check wiring diagram) and is used to reduce radio signal interference

 

[idrivemopar]

Yep, connected to positive and then the condenser is connected to the coil bracket bolt. I have one on my 73 RR.

 

[Gold Rush]

I believe it attaches to the positive side of the coil (check wiring diagram) and is used to reduce radio signal interference

That is what I thought. Why it is (was) backward is a mystery. I have the FSM but if it even mentions that condenser I have not found that note.
This condenser looks really beat up and does not test the way I'd expect it to. Anyone have a source for replacement??

 

[idrivemopar]

That is what I thought. Why it is (was) backward is a mystery. I have the FSM but if it even mentions that condenser I have not found that note.
This condenser looks really beat up and does not test the way I'd expect it to. Anyone have a source for replacement??

That's because its in the Radio and antenna section of the FSM, there is a guy on here that has one for sale I was going to get from him, but I found another one online. Its not necessary to have, but my car is a number matching restoration so I wanted to keep all the original stuff.

 

[69Bee]

In the electrical section, the alternator capacitor spec is 0.5 Microfarads (5000 Picofarads) +/_ 20%, and if you aren't going for a concourse restoration, just get equivalent replacements (25V or above) from an electronics store.

 

[Gold Rush]

Thanks a bunch for all the inputs. I still haven't found a replacement for what I believe is a dead condenser but at least I now know which way is up.

FWIW.. 1974 Charger uses 50 microfarad =/- 20% alternator capacitor. That value seems to change from year to year. I do appreciate 69Bee pointing me in the right direction to locate where that information was hiding in my FSM.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OE-IGNITIO...RONET-ROADRUNNER-CUDA-challenger/162152854931

 

[69Bee]

...FWIW.. 1974 Charger uses 50 microfarad =/- 20% alternator capacitor. That value seems to change from year to year. I do appreciate 69Bee pointing me in the right direction to locate where that information was hiding in my FSM.

I looked in my other manuals ('72, '74, '77) and they all said 50 Microfarad, and '69 and older say 0.50 Microfarads. I can't say that it is a difference in frequency between AM & FM, because the noise frequency from the alternator and ignition system should be the same. But, harmonically speaking, a change in the capacitor value could be due to a better harmonic noise suppression for the FM band (0.535MHz-1.605MHz vs. 88MHz-108MHz). A change from points to electronic ignition could have had an impact too. It would have been nice to be able to ask my dad as he worked with an electronics company dealing with Ford on their electronic ignition system and noise suppression in the early '70s. I actually still have a Motorola Automotive Noise Generator I assume came from that work.