curious------ distributor spark question

H

harryc

Senior Member
anyone running a modern distributor cap and wires ever notice that the original wire connectors and original cap seem to put out a hotter spark at the plugs ?
 
There are two mechanisms of loss in the high tension plug wires (straps). One is resistance and the other is radio frequency radiation. With solid conductors, like a solid wire or the straps, you can detect the radio frequency radiation with an AM radio or other electronic device. The resistance losses are very low because of the high voltage and low current. Modern wires (modern meaning 1950-60) have a carbon core conductor which reduce the radio frequency radiation by adding some resistance. I doubt that you will be able to tell much difference between modern wires and the straps because the straps are so short, but in theory there would be a difference. To improve performance while keeping the stock look of the straps, use a modern carbon core high tension wire from the coil to the distributor cap.
 
Last edited:
Eventually some come to the obvious conclusion that those who designed and assembled the original Model A's were talented geniuses who didn't need our help.
 
Synchro909 said:
And they did it without so much as a 4 function calculator.
Click to expand...

I went through college in the early 1970’s and remember the advent of electronic calculators (one of my roommates, who was quite well off, had an early Texas Instruments calculator. We spent most of a well lubricated Friday afternoon around the pool figuring out how many Big Macs it would take to go from San Francisco to Chicago). It really is impressive to think what our ancestors accomplished with paper and pencil, perhaps aided by slide rules. My dad, who went through engineering school just pre-WWII, would invariably whip out his slide rule to check his answers obtained with a calculator. I relied upon slide rule until close to my graduation. I tried to teach my son (also an engineer) how to use one but no success. Now I can’t even use the software he uses now.
 
Last edited:
It may be because of resistor type plug wires. Try a set of solid copper wire plug wires and see if it changes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top