Lars,
Those 40 year old coils put out a weak spark by today's standard. This is why 1942 and earlier cars only had a .025 plug gap. That was all the distance the spark could reliably jump. Resistor plugs and wires only make it worse. This can be marginal, if other conditions and parts are not at optimum, as to whether or not it will ignite the fuel. This can make starting difficult and cause some misfires, especially noticeable at idle. Inexpensive modern plug wires with a resistive carbon core and without a metal conductor, will break down over time as the conductor develops cracks, causing the resistance to greatly increase.
My suggestion is to use a new high voltage coil and modern wires. I am still using the original dual points in the distributor, but I have a new coil and suppression wires. I use a Jacob Electronics ( www.jacobselectronics.com/ ) Energy Coil (# 380672T) and their "restoration" style black wires. Set the plug gap to .045, even in those old 1942s. I get instant starts and no misfires. A hot spark will fire almost any fuel/air mixture, especially on cold starts where the fuel is rich and not well mixed with the air.
Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500
-----Original Message-----
From: Lars Larson 56 Plymouth [SMTP:LARSPAINTR@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 1999 12:20 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [FWDLK] plugs, resistor plugs, plug wires, etc?
In the foggyness of my brain I recall that one uses either resistor plugs OR
resistor wire and not both in older cars. Modern cars with CD spark systems
can zap thru all the resistance but not (necessarily) those carz with justa
standard coil and breaker point ignition. Many of you >>>LOOK owners have
upgraded to a CD system either Mopar or aftermarket for firing your hipo 383
and 440 engines.
but
Does anyone have some documentation regarding this either but not both thing?
Note a 67 Champion catalog shows Resistor plugs (not wires) for 46 and up
flathead 6 engines, and 035 plug gap. 42 and earlier non resistor and 025
gap.
And no change in the 035 when in 56 the electrics went to 12v.
NOW
I am running in my 56 277 V8 powerpac engine both resistor plugs AND wires
and have done so for 6 years. Wonder if that combo is giving that rough
idle???
Conversely in my 41 I am using resistor wires and standard plugs.
Since a few of us have 55 and 56 flathead 6 in our semi-finned cars, maybe
some more info is needed?
Any input appreciated!
L.
|
|
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network