Re: [Chrysler300] Under cover work.

["George Riehl" <longrams@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rich;  1951 thru 1956 did have what you described ("L"), but on the rear screw socket. Then each plug tube had the upside down "U" shaped hold-down into the plug tube. In '57 and '58, it had the "U" shaped rear plug wire support with the top ends "bent" over slightly to "encase" the 4 plug wires. But even then, I have found that there was some of the "early" type in the "later" type and sometimes, I have found this to be true also of the Dodge and DeSoto hemis. 
  As another note, I have found a difference in the spark plug tubes. Early ones were steel, later ones were aluminum. Also, the smaller hemis used different length tubes than the 331 thru 392s.
  All "tubes" did have the "rubber" seal with the large washer. The plug wire cover pressed down on the washer, in turn pressed down on the seal to keep in oil and oil fumes.
  Thru the years, many of these "hold-downs" and "supports" were "tossed" because, at the time, they were just a nusance. Just like the rear "screw" in the plug wire cover, it was replaced with a "bolt" because it was easier to install/remove without removing the heater blower motor than the phillps/slotted screw.
  Then the other question, were there phillips head and slotted head screws on the plug wire covers? The majority I have seen are slotted. Minority are phillips. It also seems that cars destined for the west coast seemed to have the phillips, but even then, not entirely true! But NEVER, NEVER a hex head bolt from the factory.
  And all phillips/slotted screws have a external "star" funnel shaped washer under the head of the screw.
  Early, 1951 thru 1953/54 used a white ceramic plug insulator, Generally, '55 up used the "brown/tan" bakelite type. Less expensive, I presume.
    George Riehl



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rich Barber 
  To: 'George Riehl' ; Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; 'Paul Holmgren' ; 'johnl' 
  Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 3:01 AM
  Subject: [Chrysler300] Under cover work.


  The original 331 hemi in my 1955 C-300 has only one plug wire supporter
  under each spark plug wire cover and they are located on the middle screw
  sockets. The clips each have two notches for the two plug wires that go
  past this point. There would be no point on putting a plug wire supporter
  on the front screw socket as no plug wires run past that point. The clips
  are of a simpler design than those shown on the e-Bay auction and just sort
  of float under the plug wire cover. Each is a simple "L" shaped piece of
  steel, painted black, with a hole in its foot to fit over the screw socket
  and two notches looking up to hold the two plug wires. It seems that there
  may have been a four-notch plug wire supporter at the tapered end of the
  plug wire cover where the plug wires enter, but there is none on my car. I
  can see where a clip like that shown in the auction would work on the back
  screw socket. Anyone ever spotted anything different on 1955's? Each spark
  plug tube has a metal washer around it that is held in place by the spark
  plug wire cover, probably to help prevent any oil fumes under the rocker arm
  cover from backing into the plug wire chamber. There were small amounts of
  condensed oil on the underside of the spark plug covers when I did this
  research.

  I sure don't have any "U" shaped holders at each plug hole. Am I missing
  something, or are these holders a later year addition? George: Do you
  market these for the '55?

  I've always thought it better to keep plug wires in the open air, adequately
  supported by insulated plug wire supporters and standoffs to keep them apart
  and away from grounds. I'm thinking there are a lot of opportunities for
  spark leakage under those plug wire covers. But, it keeps them dry--and
  warm/hot. And keeps the mud and the blood and the crud out of the spark
  plug sockets. The hemi in my 2005 Durango uses a fitted rubber spark plug
  hole cover to achieve this seal--but is much uglier than the beautiful gold
  331 rocker arm covers with the black plug wire covers. Chrysler FirePower!

  BTW, I'm very much enjoying reading the book "CHRYSLER-THE LIFE AND TIMES OF
  AN AUTOMOTIVE GENIUS" by Vincent Curcio--available through Amazon. Reading
  about Walter Percy (!) Chrysler tends to help explain how and why certain
  personalities are drawn to products still bearing his name. I found out
  that WPC lived in Oelwein, Iowa (1905-1909), about a mile from where I lived
  as a youth working in my Dad's Western Auto store there (1949-52). If you
  like Chrysler cars, you will love this book and it will help you understand
  the attraction the cars have for you.

  C-300'ly,
  Rich Barber
  Brentwood, CA (getting a little much-needed rain tonight)
  1955 Chrysler C-300

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
  Behalf Of George Riehl
  Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 4:03 PM
  To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Paul Holmgren; johnl
  Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] hemi part ???

  Yes, I know what these are. They go on the rearmost spark plug wire cover
  screw down threaded "thimble". They keep the 4 wires from getting pinched by
  the end of the cover even though the cover is "splayed" at the end. Only one
  is used in that location on each side. Then the "U" shaped holders (4 each
  side) go down into the spark plug tubes to hold the wires down in place and
  not get pinched by the wire cover.
  On the many hemi engines I have worked on, many are missing. I make them
  both. No big deal. 
  George Riehl

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: johnl 
  To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; Paul Holmgren 
  Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 4:38 PM
  Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] hemi part ???

  I don't recall ever seeing them, but I think I understand how they work.
  They would end up cutting the distance down between the plugs. I thought
  there were only the spring clips that inserted into the spark plug holes.
  Wonder if the hole in these shown is large enough to go over the boss that
  holds the wire cover down and then when the cover is installed it secures
  them from moving? Almost like over engineering with the others already in
  place.

  John Lazenby

  1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Town & Country
  1955 Imperial Newport
  1955 Chrysler C300 Tango Red
  1956 Chrysler 300B Cloud White
  1957 Chrysler 300C Coupe Raven Black
  1960 Chrysler 300F Coupe Alaskan White
  1963 Volkswagen Beetle Black
  2001 BMW ///M5 (A Modern Super Car)
  http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=18

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Paul Holmgren 
  To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 12:34 PM
  Subject: [Chrysler300] hemi part ???

  does anyone have these or remember thier 55-58 hemi having these on the 
  motor???

  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190108918558

  -- 
  Paul Holmgren
  2 57 300-C's in Indy
  Hoosier Corps L#6



   

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