<VV> voltage regulator questions (EM)

[Ramon Rodriguez III]

Hiya guys.  I'm trying to help out a guy I met online who is trying to get
his 61 Corvair sedan running and he needs a voltage regulator.  I have
about five spares lying around so I just went out and tested all of them
(by installing on one of my cars and checking for charging voltage).  None
of the five worked (no charging).  These things look so simple inside I
can't imagine what might be wrong with them, but admittedly I have no idea
how they work.

Are there any tips out there that might help me get some of these working
again?  Two of them look almost brand new inside and out.  The only thing I
see is a little corrosion on the springs on the back side, but it's very
minor on at least one of them.

Also, the little condenser looking thing attached at the bottom;  What does
it do?  I'm short on these and if they are just to prevent radio
interference I really don't need them on the cars I don't have stereo's in.


Thanks!

-- 
Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez III
Lake Ariel, PA