|
Author
|
Topic: 7mm vs. 8mm plug wires
|
cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 808
From: Kissimee, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 12-30-2002 11:32 AM
   
In the late 70's I converted my 429 to a Ford electronic ignition and spark-box, and it has given me many years of trouble free service. It always bothered me that the distributor cap did not look the same, however.
Thanks to the info provided by some of the 'posters' here, I now know that an old-style ford cap and rotor will fit fine on the later-model distributor. Obviously, I will need to change to wires with the old-style ends.
Question is, how important is it to go to 8mm over the stock 7mm wires. I don't really 'drag' the car or race it, I just go to shows and cruises, and do a little 'stop-light boogie' every now and then. Other than the Stock, late-seventies Ford ignition box and distributor, everyhting else is stock, even the coil. will stock 7mm's do me OK, or will I notice a distinct difference in the use of 8mm's.
By the way, as per the suggestions here, The old-style cap and rotor set I purchased were with the brass fittings as opposed to the aluminum ones. How does this help?
IP: Logged |
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19964
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-30-2002 11:46 AM
You dont' have to change the plug wire ends CV. There is a old style small cap available with stud terminals.
8mm wires have more insulation and hold up much better to the high intensity spark created by electronic ignition. 7mm wires will fry and leak within 1000 miles or less.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 34763
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-30-2002 11:48 AM
quote:
Originally posted by cobravenom71:
By the way, as per the suggestions here, The old-style cap and rotor set I purchased were with the brass fittings as opposed to the aluminum ones. How does this help?
The brass holds up much better. The aluminum starts breaking down right away. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Be sure to remember our sponsors, Mustangs Plus, NPD, and Osborn Reproductions.
IP: Logged |
Bob Hopkins
Gearhead Posts: 250
From: BRIDGEPORT NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2001
|
posted 12-30-2002 11:48 AM
Alex who makes the old style small cap with the late posts? I was looking for same.
IP: Logged |
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19964
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-30-2002 12:07 PM
Most of the major ignition companies offer them. It's the cap used onthe very early DuraSpark systems. The Motorcraft part number is DH-391.
Any good parts man should be able to interchange that. The problem is finding a "good" parts man these days. Especially at a chain store.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com [This message has been edited by Moneymaker (edited 12-30-2002).]
IP: Logged |
cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 808
From: Kissimee, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 12-30-2002 04:09 PM
Alex, That would be great if I could use that type of cap you suggested, but it still leaves me with the newer-style looking boots on the wire ends, which will look out of place.
But I got to thinking...Can just the boots on the wires I have be removed, and can the old-style boots be put on my existing wires to give me the 'stock' look? That would be great, because the wires I have were expensive and I don't want to have to change them completely if I don't need to.
And if so, where do I get just the boots?
IP: Logged |
cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 808
From: Kissimee, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 12-30-2002 04:55 PM
Alex, I found that 'DH-391' cap, and it looks like it will work. It comes up as an 'International Harvester' with a 302 engine, but it looks perfect. Only problem is it does not come in brass only aluminum
IP: Logged |
SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 34763
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-30-2002 05:12 PM
Cross it over to an Echlin/Napa, that should be a brass terminal cap.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Be sure to remember our sponsors, Mustangs Plus, NPD, and Osborn Reproductions.
IP: Logged |
SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 34763
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-30-2002 05:22 PM
On second thought, if you want original color, the Echlin/NAPA or Standard caps won't do. Echlins are tan and Standards are blue on the brass terminal caps.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Be sure to remember our sponsors, Mustangs Plus, NPD, and Osborn Reproductions.
IP: Logged |
cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 808
From: Kissimee, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 12-30-2002 05:56 PM
I don't care about the color (I can paint it, right?)
IP: Logged |
SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 34763
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-30-2002 06:00 PM
I wouldn't paint them. You're inviting carbon tracking.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Be sure to remember our sponsors, Mustangs Plus, NPD, and Osborn Reproductions.
IP: Logged |
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19964
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-30-2002 10:48 PM
REAL FoMoCo knowitalls would know that original HP transistorized Ford ingnitions all had tan caps. 
DH-146 Motorcraft or Autolite.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 808
From: Kissimee, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 12-31-2002 08:11 AM
The correct cap may be tan, but I am trying replicate the look of a 71 stock ignition, which is of course a points fired set-up with a black cap.
I have another concern: Do the 'tower'(male) style caps develop a better connection than the older 'female' style caps? If they do, then I might be better off using the DH-391 and my existing wires. If there is no difference, then maybe I should use the correct 'female' style cap and change the ends of my wires. Any thoughts?
IP: Logged |
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19964
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 12-31-2002 12:08 PM
Yes CV, the high tower terminals do indeed offer a better connection.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
Mustangsandmore Forums
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
