Charging System - Cadillac 60 Series 1963 Shop Manual

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12-21
2. After calibrating tester, leave switch in
"Microhm" position and connect red lead to end
of primary wire. With points blocked open, con-
nect black lead to side of distributor housing.
3. Meter should read in the blue "Microhm"
bar at right of scale.
4. If reading is not in blue bar, move grounded
lead of Condenser Tester to body of the condenser.
If reading improves, condenser is poorly grounded.
5. Move condenser pigtail lead. If a deflection
of the meter is noted, the lead is making poor
contact, and condenser should be replaced.
Microfarad (capacity) Test
1. Turn switch to "Microfarad" position.
2. Read "Microfarad" capacity on center scale
of meter.
3. Capacity should be .18 to .23 MFD.
Megohm (insulation) Test
1. Turn switch to "Megohm" position.
2. The meter should read in blue "Megohm"
bar at left of scale.
3. If meter reads to right of blue bar, con-
denser insulation is leaking.
4. Install distributor cap.
NOTE: When testing condenser off the car,
connect one condenser test lead to the insulated
condenser terminal and the other test lead to
ground on condenser body.
28. Spark Plug Cleaning and
Adjustment
Type 44 spark plugs are used in all 1963 en-
gines except cars equipped with AM/FM radio
which require R44 spark plugs.
The condition of the compound in the spark
plug cleaner is important. It must be dry, because
if moist, it could pack in the space between the
insulator tip and shell, allowing only the tip of
the plug to be cleaned. Also, the compount must
be sharp to do a good cleaning job. After prolonged
use, the particles of compound lose their sharp
cutting edges and will not clean properly.
With the spark plug in the cleaner and the air
blast turned on, press the cleaner hood down, rock-
ing the plug. Raise the cleaner hood to the air
blast position for a few seconds. Rotate the plug
in its adapter and repeat the operations until the
entire insulator is clean (white). It should be
noted here that some spark plugs may have fused
deposits on the lower insulator tips that are diffi-
cult, if not impossible, to remove. Make sure that
all cleaning compound is removed from the plug.
File electrodes flat and set gap to .035 inch. The
gap should be checked only with a round wire
gage. Use new gaskets when installing plugs, and
tighten to 25 foot-pounds.
CHARGING SYSTEM
29. Charging Circuit Precautions
When performing any tests or adjustments on
the charging circuit there are certain precautions
that must be observed or serious damage will
result to the electrical equipment:
1. Do not attempt to "polarize" the generator.
2. Do not short across or ground any of the ter-
minals on generator or regulator.
3. Never operate generator open circuit. Make
certain all connections are secure.
4. Make certain ground polarity of battery and
ground polarity of generator are the same when
installing a battery.
5. When connecting a booster battery, make
certain to connect the negative battery terminals
together and positive terminals together.
6. When connecting a charger to battery, con-
nect charger positive lead to battery positive ter-
minal and charger negative l e a d to battery
negative terminal.
30. Preliminary Charging
Circuit Checks
Visually check the charging circuit for the fol-
lowing:
1. Frayed insulation or wiring.
2. Tightness of mounting bolts.
3. Corroded or loose connections at generator
terminals and slip-on connectors at regulator
terminals.
31. Analyzing Charging System
Troubles (Fig. 12-29)
Trouble in the charging system will usually
show up as one or more of the following condi-
tions: