changing my spark plug wires on a 39 flathead motor the wires going to the 2 caps on the distributor are they marked to show where each wire goes or what would be the best way to exchange the wires i don't want to mix them up i purchased the original colored coded old style wires . THANK YOU JIM S.
spark plug wires
- Thread starter jstrez5
- Start date
Kube
Super Moderator
It would be very difficult to change these wires one at a time.
I'd suggest you mark the internal distributor terminal(s) before removing the wires. Personally, I'd engrave the respective number next to the terminal 'socket".
Also, I'd strongly suggest you check continuity of each wire before reinstalling the conduit, etc. That's a simple way to be certain you placed the wires in the correct "socket" and all of them remained seated during assembly.
Zeke3
Well-known member
I agree with Kube, do them all at once. The 12116 terminal plates for the helmet distributor, that I have seen, have two sets of cylinder numbers by each of the wire cavities, so you just have to know how the cylinders are numbered and which side you are working on to get them in the correct location.
rockfla
Well-known member
As the experts above have posted, I find doing them all at once is easiest. I also find that IF you work yourself backwards from the plate, then orient the wires through the cap opening with the two shortest to the outside of the tube opening (if you will) and the two longest to the inside of the tube opening (if you will), then slide the rubber boot on, then feed them into the tube it goes fairly smooth that way (for me anyway).
drolston
Well-known member
Take the time to solder the bare center wire to the crimp-on clip that goes over the end of the wire at the distributor end. That way, if you have to pull out one from the distributor cap, you know the end clip will come out with the wire. Unless you need originals for show points, you might consider using Raga connectors at the spark plug ends. They can be put on easily after the wires are fed through the wire looms. They screw together to make a reliable connection.
Robert/Texas
Well-known member
If you decide to replace one wire at a time, I suggest spraying silicon lubricant into both ends of the wire looms. I just had to replace two wires in my '34 roadster, and this made it easy for me.
Kube
Super Moderator
Okay, please explain why you would only replace two wires? Did you cut them by mistake or otherwise damage them?
Robert/Texas
Well-known member
Kube.
In 1996 I replaced the original style sparkplug wires with the “modern” type with molded ends. This year two of these wires failed, the metal press-on connections burned out. As a temporary fix I reinstalled two of the old wires. I plan to replace all the wires with new original style ones when I can find a set of knurled nuts that fit Champion D21 sparkplugs. I tried those from my Model A’s and T’s but neither have the correct threads. Note that these cars also have Champion spark plugs. I hope that someone can lead me to finding these.
Thanks, Robert
In 1996 I replaced the original style sparkplug wires with the “modern” type with molded ends. This year two of these wires failed, the metal press-on connections burned out. As a temporary fix I reinstalled two of the old wires. I plan to replace all the wires with new original style ones when I can find a set of knurled nuts that fit Champion D21 sparkplugs. I tried those from my Model A’s and T’s but neither have the correct threads. Note that these cars also have Champion spark plugs. I hope that someone can lead me to finding these.
Thanks, Robert
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Kube
Super Moderator
Robert, Get in touch with Mike Driskell. He sells the nuts in two different thread pitches (sizes). Perhaps he'd be able to help.
Robert/Texas
Well-known member
Thanks Kube, Ill call him next week. He's not open today.
Robert/Texas
Well-known member
Thanks again Kube. He's sending me both types of nuts today. I also ordered new wires from him.
Robert
Robert
Kube
Super Moderator
Wonderful~!
