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Plug wire dilemma

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Sarastro

Sarastro

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I found a bad plug connector and determined that I really don't like the ones on my car. (They are the "suppressor" connectors shown in the Moss catalog.) They can come apart very easily or come loose from the plug wire. These cars are unreliable enough without something like that.

Anyway, the side-entry distributor cap requires a metallic plug wire, not resistor wires, which are universal today. Metallic plug wires are kinda hard to find, unless you want to pay the usual suspects $45 for a set of four simple wires. So, if you want to use the side-entry cap, where can you get a good, general-purpose set of metallic wires and plug connectors?

Another option might be to replace the cap with the top-entry one I see in catalogs, and seems to be listed for Spridget distributors. I've only seen these in 1500 engines; on 948s to 1275s, I've seen only the side-entry kind. Does this cap fit the stock Bugeye distributor? If so, I could use one of these and the resistor wires, with hoods on both ends, which I can get for a few bucks. I don't think I'd do this with the stock ignition, as it wasn't designed for the resistor wire, but it should be OK with my Crane electronic ignition.

Any thoughts on the subject?
 
I bought a V8 set of metal wires, and cut off one end. This gave me 2 sets for the price of one. Worked fine with the original Bugeye side-entry cap.
 
Where did you get this? Local auto parts place? Did they know the difference between resistor wire and the metallic?

I'd go to the local parts place, but I just dread having to get it through the heads of the 18-year-old counter clerks that I don't want parts for a 10-year-old chevy. And I don't trust that they'd really know what is metallic and what isn't. But I'll do it if I have to. Long suffering, and all that!
 
I'm told you can get a universal set at Tractor Supply Company that will make a couple of Spridget sets. We don't have one around here so I don't have direct experience.

Marv J
 
get a set from oreillys, cut the ends off, install by
sticking the ends in ur dizzy and screwin them down....z
 
Got them at the local auto parts store. Accel brand 7mm solid core wire set, part num #3009.
 
startech47 said:
NAPA has the metallic cored wire on a spool. They also have an assortment of ends that you can buy separately.
Click to expand...

There ya go! The side entry cap will take 'em, you can go with whatever you deem appropriate for the plug ends. IIRC, Moss has the "old style" Lucas 90* screw-in ones if "period correct" and a REALLY good connection are a goal.
 
The Accel 3008 set work too. 3009 has 90' boot and the 3008 are straight. 7mm diameter is key.
 
I was also going to recommend NAPA. I believe the cable they sell is made by Belden which is typically a quality product.

However, I'm currently running a Hitachi dizzy in my A-series and I decided to buy an Accel V8 wire kit and make my own. As stated above, there's enough wire for two or three A-series engines when you buy a V8 wire kit.

BTW, the Accel wires I bought are interesting. There is a carbon-like core overwound with solid wire... kind of like a wound instrument string. A 7mm version of that material certainly would work with the side-entry caps.
 
I have 8MM "blue" wires for a top load cap on my 1275. If need be I can go back to 7mm standard wires anytime avail at any auto store. I wanted the 8 mm with the new pertronix sport coil and electronic ignition. Made a big difference is start and run.
 
Thanks for your suggestions. Obviously, the metallic stuff is more available than I had thought. So, I guess I need to screw up my courage (or, more likely, patience) and deal with the local Napa store.
 
I cut up an Accel solid core set too.
Bought the set at my local speed shop....Not too expensive and had lots left over.

I'm running a 25D Lucas distributor in my 1500 race car with side-exit cap and Pertronix ignition module.

You can also buy 7mm solid copper core wire from Aircraft Spruce for $0.64 a foot. Click~HERE~ for more info.
 
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