Capacitors
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 126
Likes: 5
Capacitors
I've got a 63 FI roadster and I'm in the middle of replacing the gauges and restoring the E brake, vents, etc. I'm about to install the gauges and looking at all the capacitors this car has. Are these really necessary ? I'm guessing it's to reduce static and hum when the radio is on ? but do I really need them or can I just skip it.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
No, not necessary unless you are getting the car judged. I removed all of them when I replaced the main harness. In my view, at this point they can do more harm than good if they are shorted. I have them all boxed if the next guy wants to put them back on. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 1,557
From: Poway CA
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Yes - they are to reduce ignition noise in the radio.. Not needed functionally..
HOWEVER... I ended up re-installing them on my car.. Even though I have a modern radio (MP3, USB, etc.).. When listening to pre-recorded music from USB, the radio would 'lock up'. This is likely due to ignition noise corrupting the digitial interface between the USB stick and the head unit. The problem went away after the caps were installed.
So, everything old is new again!
HOWEVER... I ended up re-installing them on my car.. Even though I have a modern radio (MP3, USB, etc.).. When listening to pre-recorded music from USB, the radio would 'lock up'. This is likely due to ignition noise corrupting the digitial interface between the USB stick and the head unit. The problem went away after the caps were installed.
So, everything old is new again!
Last edited by SDVette; Jan 10, 2017 at 04:09 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 63
From: TN
Why not put in fresh capacitors? They are there for a reason and are not very expensive or hard to replace. It's a fact that electrolytic capacitors have a 20 to 40 year life span plus any design type capacitor can fail internally and short out at any time (either open or shorted.) I say go for it and put in fresh ones.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
Yes - they are to reduce ignition noise in the radio.. Not needed functionally..
HOWEVER... I ended up re-installing them on my car.. Even though I have a modern radio (MP3, USB, etc.).. When listening to pre-recorded music from USB, the radio would 'lock up'. This is likely due to ignition noise corrupting the digitial interface between the USB stick and the head unit. The problem went away after the caps were installed.
So, everything old is new again!
HOWEVER... I ended up re-installing them on my car.. Even though I have a modern radio (MP3, USB, etc.).. When listening to pre-recorded music from USB, the radio would 'lock up'. This is likely due to ignition noise corrupting the digitial interface between the USB stick and the head unit. The problem went away after the caps were installed.
So, everything old is new again!
I have an original radio which was converted to Solid State with an IPOD connection and I have Zero noise without them in any mode. I do have all the ignition shielding installed (for appearance sake), but I don't think it would make a difference in the sound either way with the updated radio.
