The Ford Barn

dorvedahl47pu · 10-04-2025, 11:36 AM

I'm about to blow my brains out trying to install new spark plug wires on my 47 1-ton. I rebuilt the distributor and thought I might as well install new wires. I've done this process before without this much frustration. Every time I install the cover I lose continuity on at least one of the wires. Fishing the wires through the cover "ears", the rubber grommet, and the tubes is damn-near impossible.
I have a couple theories. 1) these new wires I purchased are larger diameter than the originals? 2) I don't have the patience for this anymore?
My questions are these. Assuming the issue is not the wire diameter, 1) is it possible to use a crab distributor cap on the 59A distributor? 2) Can a 21A distributor be used on this 59A engine?
Thanks.

hueyhoolihan · 10-04-2025, 12:12 PM

i recently bought a kit to build new wires for a crab-style distributor cap on my flathead and ended up throwing it away as the wires would not fit through the rubber connectors that came with the kit.

the problem was that the manufacturers added some fancy plastic faux braided-cloth around their original black rubber insulated wires and then covered that with an additional clear plastic sleeve. and didn't secure either the faux braided-cloth sleeve or the clear plastic sleeve to each other OR the underlying black rubber insulation covering the wire itself; increasing the diameter of the wire enough such that when attempting to slide the wire through the rubber boots, the outer clear plastic sleeve bunched up, even when copious amounts of lubrication was used on the connectors and wire before attempting to slide on the connector.

it was obvious that no one in the company ever even attempted to assemble the wires according to the directions in the box after the changes were made. i assume the factory had machinery that expanded the rubber end connectors for their pre-assembled product and so didn't notice that their clients would have no chance of assembling them by hand according to the directions.

with previous versions, without the new purely superficial sleeves, one could remove the rubber boots at either end, though very tight, numerous times, if necessary, without damaging the wires. with the new ones, the only option was to cut off the end and start over, which of course, if cut to proper length, made them useless.

as i said, i ended throwing the whole mess away. and buying some old-school plain black rubber wires.

if i was using the same wires, or kit, i wouldn't worry about the problem lying with the purchaser of the kit. it's with the manufacturer that didn't care to even take five minutes to test their product after major changes. smh.

marko39 · 10-04-2025, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorvedahl47pu

I'm about to blow my brains out trying to install new spark plug wires on my 47 1-ton. I rebuilt the distributor and thought I might as well install new wires. I've done this process before without this much frustration. Every time I install the cover I lose continuity on at least one of the wires. Fishing the wires through the cover "ears", the rubber grommet, and the tubes is damn-near impossible.
I have a couple theories. 1) these new wires I purchased are larger diameter than the originals? 2) I don't have the patience for this anymore?
My questions are these. Assuming the issue is not the wire diameter, 1) is it possible to use a crab distributor cap on the 59A distributor? 2) Can a 21A distributor be used on this 59A engine?
Thanks.

I think they will interchange. Caps should also, however the bales may be different.

deuce lover · 10-04-2025, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorvedahl47pu

I'm about to blow my brains out trying to install new spark plug wires on my 47 1-ton. I rebuilt the distributor and thought I might as well install new wires. I've done this process before without this much frustration. Every time I install the cover I lose continuity on at least one of the wires. Fishing the wires through the cover "ears", the rubber grommet, and the tubes is damn-near impossible.
I have a couple theories. 1) these new wires I purchased are larger diameter than the originals? 2) I don't have the patience for this anymore?
My questions are these. Assuming the issue is not the wire diameter, 1) is it possible to use a crab distributor cap on the 59A distributor? 2) Can a 21A distributor be used on this 59A engine?
Thanks.

Maybe a call to this fellow could help
Charlie Schwendler

716–622-9159
[email protected]

highbeams · 10-04-2025, 01:38 PM

Well, if the V8 is/was running fine, I'd not bother the original setup.

Brian · 10-04-2025, 02:38 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

yes you can use the crab cap...you'll need to buy the appropriate clips and rotor.

dorvedahl47pu · 10-05-2025, 09:10 AM

My thoughts exactly hueyhoolihan. You pretty much described what I'm dealing with. I wish I remember where I bought the set that worked years ago.

dorvedahl47pu · 10-05-2025, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

yes you can use the crab cap...you'll need to buy the appropriate clips and rotor.

Copy that...thanks.

dorvedahl47pu · 10-05-2025, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko39

I think they will interchange. Caps should also, however the bales may be different.

Thanks. That's what I was thinking as well...about the bale.

dorvedahl47pu · 10-05-2025, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highbeams

Well, if the V8 is/was running fine, I'd not bother the original setup.

That is what I try to do...keep things as "stock" as I can. I'll make an exception in this case for my own sanity. LOL

dorvedahl47pu · 10-05-2025, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Maybe a call to this fellow could help
Charlie Schwendler

716–622-9159
[email protected]

Thanks duce lover!

hueyhoolihan · 10-05-2025, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorvedahl47pu

My thoughts exactly hueyhoolihan. You pretty much described what I'm dealing with. I wish I remember where I bought the set that worked years ago.

i eventually bought these, and they served my purposes, which were of a temporary nature. i merely zipped tied the wires away from danger. it's not necessarily an endorsement... ha

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203579087151

GB SISSON · 10-05-2025, 01:56 PM

My thought on the '49 up style is the lengths would be different with the post type distributor is mounted to the side. On my last 59ab I bought the bail kit and rotor for the crab cap, skipped the conduits and used raja ends with the faux cloth covered wires. I made some convincing looking seperator stands for the wires. Wouldn't fool any judges, but maintained a decent period look.

10-04-2025, 11:36 AM	#1
dorvedahl47pu Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Hooper, Utah Posts: 130	Spark Plug Wire Turrets I'm about to blow my brains out trying to install new spark plug wires on my 47 1-ton. I rebuilt the distributor and thought I might as well install new wires. I've done this process before without this much frustration. Every time I install the cover I lose continuity on at least one of the wires. Fishing the wires through the cover "ears", the rubber grommet, and the tubes is damn-near impossible. I have a couple theories. 1) these new wires I purchased are larger diameter than the originals? 2) I don't have the patience for this anymore? My questions are these. Assuming the issue is not the wire diameter, 1) is it possible to use a crab distributor cap on the 59A distributor? 2) Can a 21A distributor be used on this 59A engine? Thanks.

10-04-2025, 12:12 PM	#2
hueyhoolihan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: central coast california Posts: 594	Re: Spark Plug Wire Turrets i recently bought a kit to build new wires for a crab-style distributor cap on my flathead and ended up throwing it away as the wires would not fit through the rubber connectors that came with the kit. the problem was that the manufacturers added some fancy plastic faux braided-cloth around their original black rubber insulated wires and then covered that with an additional clear plastic sleeve. and didn't secure either the faux braided-cloth sleeve or the clear plastic sleeve to each other OR the underlying black rubber insulation covering the wire itself; increasing the diameter of the wire enough such that when attempting to slide the wire through the rubber boots, the outer clear plastic sleeve bunched up, even when copious amounts of lubrication was used on the connectors and wire before attempting to slide on the connector. it was obvious that no one in the company ever even attempted to assemble the wires according to the directions in the box after the changes were made. i assume the factory had machinery that expanded the rubber end connectors for their pre-assembled product and so didn't notice that their clients would have no chance of assembling them by hand according to the directions. with previous versions, without the new purely superficial sleeves, one could remove the rubber boots at either end, though very tight, numerous times, if necessary, without damaging the wires. with the new ones, the only option was to cut off the end and start over, which of course, if cut to proper length, made them useless. as i said, i ended throwing the whole mess away. and buying some old-school plain black rubber wires. if i was using the same wires, or kit, i wouldn't worry about the problem lying with the purchaser of the kit. it's with the manufacturer that didn't care to even take five minutes to test their product after major changes. smh.

10-04-2025, 01:38 PM	#5
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 961	Re: Spark Plug Wire Turrets Well, if the V8 is/was running fine, I'd not bother the original setup.

10-04-2025, 02:38 PM	#6
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 4,097	Re: Spark Plug Wire Turrets Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) yes you can use the crab cap...you'll need to buy the appropriate clips and rotor. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

10-05-2025, 09:10 AM	#7
dorvedahl47pu Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Hooper, Utah Posts: 130	Re: Spark Plug Wire Turrets My thoughts exactly hueyhoolihan. You pretty much described what I'm dealing with. I wish I remember where I bought the set that worked years ago.

10-05-2025, 01:56 PM	#13
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 6,202	Re: Spark Plug Wire Turrets My thought on the '49 up style is the lengths would be different with the post type distributor is mounted to the side. On my last 59ab I bought the bail kit and rotor for the crab cap, skipped the conduits and used raja ends with the faux cloth covered wires. I made some convincing looking seperator stands for the wires. Wouldn't fool any judges, but maintained a decent period look. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)