C2 67 Voltage regulator condenser

[Gerard F.]

Is this the correct position for the voltage regulator condenser on a 67 S/B:


Top view:


I know in Boston that I saw a number of cars get dinged on this issue, but I forgot which way it is supposed to be. Should the harness ground wire connector be above or below condensor strap on the screw.

This regulator has never been off the car, but I have removed the cover for adjusting and refinish. Don't remember if I ever removed the ground wire or condensor, maybe just bent the strap to remove the cover.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 67 Voltage regulator condenser

Hi Jerry:

Here is a photo of how mine is arranged. I have never been able to get a clear answer on whether the ground wire goes above or below the condenser, but this configuration got no deductions at the Boston National.

On a related note, do you think your original well nuts (the three rubber mounts) are larger in diameter than the one that is visible in my photo? Some people think the originals had a much larger diameter, but the reproduction shown in my photo is pretty much the same size as the presumed-originals that I replaced.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: C2 67 Voltage regulator condenser

That's how my condenser is set up. Don't know if it's NCRS correct, but mine has the ground wire above the housing like yours.

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 67 Voltage regulator condenser

Joe,

You can see one of my well nuts in the second picture. Looks about the same size as yours but I can't tell from the picture.

Seems to me that they would have put the shielding and condensers on after the main wiring. Probably easier to just slap the condenser strap on top of the harness ground, but who knows for sure.

Regards, isn't this your car in Boston


Email me and I'll send you the full size.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 67 Voltage regulator condenser

There's no 'correct' orientation (component stackup) called out in the AIM, so I'd question judges who think there's a correct factory original installation method. Typically, when there was a preferred embodiment, the AIM would bear an installation note like that of the '65-66 power antenna radio ground where they wanted the washer tangs to 'bite' through the paint on the chassis frame making the stackup be: frame, washer, ground lug, then mounting screw head.

On this item, the components are called out in two separate areas of the '67 AIM because ALL cars had a '515 voltage regulator and only radio equipped cars had the V-Reg radio RF capacitor. So, there's one call out for the installation of the basic ground wire on UPC 6, Sheet B4 and another for the optional radio RF capacitor on UPC U69, Sheet A5. Note, the U69 capacitor call out makes no specific reference to the installation orientation of the existing grounding wire's spade lug!

But, if I were doing the installation, I'd try to position the items in relative order of their electrical importance based on resistance to malfunction from oxidation and contact resistance... That would put the installation order this way: V-Reg case, discrete ground wire spade lug, optional radio capacitor mounting band, then mounting screw head.

Why? It's more important for the V-Reg to have a solid ground reference than it is for the radio RF capacitor. The radio capacitor is a 'cosmetic' item; if it malfunctions you simply hear 'trash' from the radio. If the V-Reg doesn't have a solid ground reference, then the charging system might fail to work! With the spade lug of the ground wire 'sandwiched' between the V-Reg case and the capacitor mounting bracket, the maximum surface area of the ground wire's spade lug is protected from exposure to the air and subsequent oxidation....

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: C2 67 Voltage regulator condenser

See, I never even would have thought of that stuff, but it really makes sense.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 67 Voltage regulator condenser

Yup. That's me with my car, prior to the operations check. It was great to finally meet you in Boston.