The Ford Barn

Steve Plucker · 06-07-2014, 09:09 AM

What is the correct size wire (gauge) used within the distributor on the A-12148 Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly?

This is the lower round flat plate below the Breaker Plate.

Thank You.

Pluck

Steve Plucker · 06-07-2014, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

The wire is 3 1/2" long, the wire for the 28 forged upper plate is longer at 4 1/4" long. I do not know the wire gage.

Thanks 1930 coupe...I meant gauge.

It is hell getting old!

Pluck

Tom Wesenberg · 06-07-2014, 11:13 AM

I don't know the original gauge of the wire, but it must be very fine strands, so it's very flexible.

100 or more strands is what you'll need.

Kurt in NJ · 06-07-2014, 11:34 AM

I have used both 18 gauge, and 16 gauge, but more important than either gauge is the strand count, 40 years ago I put in some 18/65/36 ---18 gauge with 65 strands of #36 copper wire, I have also used 16/105/36

Most of the repro plates have regular primary wire--18/7/24, this breaks easy when flexed, not much fatigue resistance to bending

The original wire probably had a lower strand count, but I didn't want to ever have a failure

copper stranding chart---
http://www.maneywire.com/documents/C...ng%20Chart.pdf

I will try digging in the junk box and see if I can come up with something original to compare

d.j. moordigian · 06-07-2014, 11:40 AM

Steve,

I sent this to Tom Wesenberg about a year ago.......http://www.sharprc.com/....
he thought the wire look good, and so do I. I checked a distributor here at work,
it had a "field fix" that my Dad and I did in '66. The wire measures out @ about
14 gauge and it worked OK.
Hunt around in the sight, they sell just the wire,I think, by the foot....nice stuff.

*...this will help with the AMPS.....http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm....
I thought Tom said about 6 amps for the coil.....Tom??

Bob C · 06-07-2014, 11:54 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

This is on Vince's site http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/adistlowerplate.htm

Bob

Steve Plucker · 06-07-2014, 12:01 PM

Thanks Guys!

Ahhhh...The wonder of Ford Barn'ers!

Pluck

Tom Wesenberg · 06-07-2014, 12:49 PM

My slant pole coil draws 4 amps when it's on full time, but only 1 to 1 1/2 when the engine is running.

06-07-2014, 09:09 AM	#1
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Correct wire size for the Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly What is the correct size wire (gauge) used within the distributor on the A-12148 Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly? This is the lower round flat plate below the Breaker Plate. Thank You. Pluck Last edited by Steve Plucker; 06-07-2014 at 11:09 AM.

06-07-2014, 11:34 AM	#4
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,555	Re: Correct wire size for the Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly I have used both 18 gauge, and 16 gauge, but more important than either gauge is the strand count, 40 years ago I put in some 18/65/36 ---18 gauge with 65 strands of #36 copper wire, I have also used 16/105/36 Most of the repro plates have regular primary wire--18/7/24, this breaks easy when flexed, not much fatigue resistance to bending The original wire probably had a lower strand count, but I didn't want to ever have a failure copper stranding chart--- http://www.maneywire.com/documents/C...ng%20Chart.pdf I will try digging in the junk box and see if I can come up with something original to compare

06-07-2014, 11:40 AM	#5
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Correct wire size for the Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly Steve, I sent this to Tom Wesenberg about a year ago.......http://www.sharprc.com/.... he thought the wire look good, and so do I. I checked a distributor here at work, it had a "field fix" that my Dad and I did in '66. The wire measures out @ about 14 gauge and it worked OK. Hunt around in the sight, they sell just the wire,I think, by the foot....nice stuff. ...this will help with the AMPS.....http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm.... I thought Tom said about 6 amps for the coil.....Tom?? Last edited by d.j. moordigian; 06-07-2014 at 11:47 AM.*

06-07-2014, 11:54 AM	#6
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,360	Re: Correct wire size for the Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This is on Vince's site http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/adistlowerplate.htm Bob

06-07-2014, 12:01 PM	#7
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: Correct wire size for the Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly Thanks Guys! Ahhhh...The wonder of Ford Barn'ers! Pluck

06-07-2014, 11:13 AM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Correct wire size for the Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly I don't know the original gauge of the wire, but it must be very fine strands, so it's very flexible. 100 or more strands is what you'll need.

06-07-2014, 12:49 PM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Correct wire size for the Distrubutor Bus Bar Support Assembly My slant pole coil draws 4 amps when it's on full time, but only 1 to 1 1/2 when the engine is running.