Hey guys does anyone know how to test points and condensors in my 69 Patrol. How would one know when they are going bad or are dead already? Fudd, did you say you had these parts for sale? Did those other guys by the amber lenses from you?

Jason
69' Patrol
3 speed, I-6
Custom Safari Top
Custom 3" Lift
32" X 9.50 Super Swampers
Superlift Shocks

The points, you can just look at to see how bad they are. I used to swap points all the time on my 510, because I was running a 50,000 volt coil that tended to burn them up. It is possible to clean the points too with some very fine sandpaper.. you'll always need to set them after you touch them though, since the dwell angle will be way off then..

From an ignition article I found:
http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/trouble/ignition.htm

quote:

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A condenser is a 0.25 microfarad (approx) capacitor with high voltage and heat ratings. It absorbs the reverse kickback from the coil as the points begin to open. If the condenser is open, the points will arc over as they open up and the engine will have weak if any spark, because the coil's current falls off too slowly. If the points aren't all that old, but have massive contact buildup, it's going bad. If it's shorted, it's the same as points that aren't opening at all.

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basically, if the condenser is going out, the subsequent arcing will take out (and burn) the points as well. I looked for example pics of burned points online.. but wasnt able to find any. If they are burned, the surface looks black and charred.. and uneven.



BEEFYJames Fabrication - Custom Fabricated for Use and Abuse

[This message was edited by datz510 on 03-24-03 at 08:59 AM.]

I'd look for an electronic ignition for the thing....

John or Fudd, do you think the distributor is enough like that on a 240Z that a Z ignition box would work? I had a Crane electronic conversion on my old 240 and it was among the best things I ever did for that car.



1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
Please help STOP urban sprawl!

yeah, you can always go electronic.. Even just a $10 GM HEI ignition would work fine. You'd just need to find a way to fit the electronic pickup in the distributor. I'm sure there is a kit out there for them.


BEEFYJames Fabrication - Custom Fabricated for Use and Abuse

well I could not say anything more about the adjustments or checking...nicely done John

Yes I have condensors and points...how is your cap? The points, condensor and all that can be got from Nissan fairly easily...they ran out for awhile but seem to be stocked again. Let me know if you run into probs getting parts (my stock is fairly large) and NO I have no 69 front turn signal cover.

I agree that the eletronic is the way to go but I have not seen one adapted yet on a Patrol....lot's of talk about it but I don't know of a conversion. If someone discovers something please post it! The hottest rumor I heard was a conversion using the P-40 forklift stuff....

Thanks for the resource John, I'm going to try to digest all of this suff and run some more tests on my Patrol this afternoon. Currently my dewel is about 30 which is low. And the specs for my point gap calls for .018-.021 and I think I have it right on with my gaping tool but still no spark...?

I'm very interested in the electronic up date for the Patrol. I need to take a serious look at one of those P-40 forklift engines.

DR, can you tell me more about the Z distributor system?

Jason
69' Patrol
3 speed, I-6
Custom Safari Top
Custom 3" Lift
32" X 9.50 Super Swampers
Superlift Shocks

Fudd,

My cap, rotor, wires and plugs are all in good shape. For that matter my points show no ware either. I'm hoping that my timing might be a bit off, so I will try to get the dwell close enough to get the truck running again, then check the timing, then get my dewel dialed back into peak spec.

Jason
69' Patrol
3 speed, I-6
Custom Safari Top
Custom 3" Lift
32" X 9.50 Super Swampers
Superlift Shocks

Make sure the coil is getting power.. You can trip the coil manually by sliding the points apart with a screwdriver. Its odd that everything is good and its not getting spark. Either the coil is bad, or something isnt getting power, theres really not much else that could go wrong.


BEEFYJames Fabrication - Custom Fabricated for Use and Abuse

Basically it's an ignition box with 3 main wires - one to the coil, one ground, and the other to the distributor. The points and condensor are removed and a shudder with 6 slots goes onto the distributor lobe. An electronic eye (for the lack of a more technical term) is then mounted over the shudder, so as it spins, the engine fires as open slots on the shudder are passed. The Z one uses the screw hole from the points to mount the eye and to run the wire out of the distributor and to the ignition box. Installation on a Z is really simple and only takes about an hour. Then you adjust the timing and you're done.

The truck will be getting everything to bolt into the distributor....that's why I asked how similar they are. You could always remove yours and take it to a parts store and compare it to a Z distributor....maybe the Z box could be adapted.

Mine was a Crane box and I bought it at BAP import parts for about $100 a few years back.



1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
Please help STOP urban sprawl!

Anyone,

Is it normal for a 69 Patrol to have the condensor mounted on the outside of the distributor? Mine is and my shop manual shows photos of it mounted on the inside of the distributor.

Also, what is the Octane selector? My shop book says I need to set it to Zero.

Thanks,

Jason
69' Patrol
3 speed, I-6
Custom Safari Top
Custom 3" Lift
32" X 9.50 Super Swampers
Superlift Shocks

My old Z had the condensor on the outside of the distributor too.



1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
Please help STOP urban sprawl!

octane selector may affect the timing.. check to see if there are any adjustments you can make to the timing at the distributor. Mabye look inside at the points mechanism to see if there is anything that rotates the assembly.

Mabye Fudd can enlighten us..


BEEFYJames Fabrication - Custom Fabricated for Use and Abuse

Well last night right before dark I got my truck started again. It ran fairly well once it warmed up. I was able to see that the timing looked slightly off. But I was running out of daylight. I will try to go through the process again this afternoon.

Does any Patrol owner know any tricks to do it easily?

Jason
69' Patrol
3 speed, I-6
Custom Safari Top
Custom 3" Lift
32" X 9.50 Super Swampers
Superlift Shocks

quote:

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Originally posted by datz510:
yeah, you can always go electronic.. Even just a $10 GM HEI ignition would work fine. You'd just need to find a way to fit the electronic pickup in the distributor. I'm sure there is a kit out there for them.
_

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I can't find any kits, but have you heard anything about having to change out the distributor drive gear? Also, the GM HEI systems after 77 have the internal coil, do you think this coil would push out too much current for my stock electrical system?

Jason
69' Patrol
3 speed, I-6
Custom Safari Top
Custom 3" Lift
32" X 9.50 Super Swampers
Superlift Shocks