condenser or distributor? Or neither?

[DWHilton]

I have just replaced condenser in 1098cc 1969 saloon, for third time in as many months. Trying to resolve engine cutting out, with only one exception, when warm, after 10-20mls and almost always doing 55-60 mph and at start of long or gradual incline. It stutters to a halt, stalls, and after a few minutes starts and continues, there is no logic to how often this is repeated, or not, after re-start. There is no need to hit fuel pump- just wait a while. I do not think it is fuel pump- have had pumps fail in the past and this isn't the same.
Haynes says to test the condenser, turn on ignition and manually open the points and if there is a spark, the condenser is faulty. Even a brand new condenser sparked! Is this a reliable test?

Over the past year I have replaced HT leads, put on a spare coil, new plugs, new carb/dashpot needle; to no avail.
Could the distributor (the original) be worn out? How could I get hold of, borrow, a working dizzy to test this out if it isn't the condenser.
Ideas, help will be appreciated.
Thanks
David Hilton 6340

[Alec]

Hello david,

a worn out distributor won't cause that sort of problem. I also don't agree with the Haynes test, you'll still see a spark with a good condenser. Is your coil hot when the car cuts out, it shouldn't be, but it's possible you have the wrong coil, I know you replaced it but it's still possible? Confusingly some coils are marked 12 V but intended for ballast resistor systems?

Alec

[MarkyB]

Try the rotor arm especially if yours has a rivet holding it together.
Red "high performance" ones work as well as original Lucas items.
If you have one in stock even an old one, try it.

[PSL184]

Dizzy cap - Hairline crack, probably indetectable to the naked eye, causing arcing ??

[faversham999]

electronic dose away with the condenser

[bmcecosse]

It's 'never' the coil........ Sounds like fuel pump to me - why do you dismiss it so easily??? Or perhaps vacuum in the fuel tank? next time it happens - nip round and take the filler cap off. Is there an in-rush of air as you do so??

[beero]

Agree with BMC, last time I had those symptoms was on a Bedford HA van, the rubber fuel pipe had swollen internally and had cut down the flow of fuel. Have you checked the filter in the fuel pump?

[DWHilton]

Thanks to all respondents. Have got the previous distributor cap and an old rotor arm, and the original coil so will try each again. Didnt know the fuel pump had an integral filter!- is it accessible? Neither coil got hot- just mildly warm. Will keep you all posted and await any further advice.
David