Distributor spark plug connectors

F

fried okra

Senior Member
The 1928-1929 cars apparently used a "straight" spark plug connector from the distributor to the spark plugs.

Then for the 1930-1931 cars an "offset end" type spark plug connector was used.

Is one better than the other in anyone's opinion? Or, in essence, is one preferable?

My Tudor is a 1931 if it really matters :)
 
fried okra said:
The 1928-1929 cars apparently used a "straight" spark plug connector from the distributor to the spark plugs.

Then for the 1930-1931 cars an "offset end" type spark plug connector was used.

Is one better than the other in anyone's opinion? Or, in essence, is one preferable?

My Tudor is a 1931 if it really matters :)
Click to expand...

I read somewhere that it was more cost efficient the make the offset connector because there was less waste. The bean counters figured out if they cut them back to back there no waste material between them.

Don't know how true that is but it makes sense.

So I would say no, it doesn't make any difference unless you are showing your car.
 
I would use the Snyder's bronze set (or anyone else's bronze set):
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976368

The OEM connectors were bronze, not brass. Bronze is a little springier than brass, which helps keep tension on the distributor body terminals for a better connection.

The other variable to consider is that some modern plugs are much shorter than the OEM 3X plugs. The stock connectors barely reach. So folks sometimes switch to Model B connectors, which are slightly longer.
 
Y-Blockhead, what you said makes sense, which begs the question....is one preferable if you don't plan to show the car in a judged event. In essence, is one more durable possibly?

And Alexiskai, I am running modern plugs currently which might explain why I was asking the question which to buy cause one of my plug leads broke when removing plugs to hand crank the engine to set the timing.
 
As I have said a few times here, my cars are drivers and NOT for show. I prefer the longer connectors and I even extend those so that there is a decent air gap between the distributor body and the connector where #3 passes over it. I figure that reduces the chances of the well known Model A no 3/no 4 crossfire. On my long range touring car, I even put a small (about an inch) piece of soft tubing over the connecter right in that location.
That's just my preference.
 
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