The Ford Barn

harryc · 08-26-2023, 02:21 PM

anyone running a modern distributor cap and wires ever notice that the original wire connectors and original cap seem to put out a hotter spark at the plugs ?

c.murray · 08-26-2023, 03:08 PM

Yes, original Ford parts work great.

The Master Cylinder · 08-26-2023, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryc

anyone running a modern distributor cap and wires ever notice that the original wire connectors and original cap seem to put out a hotter spark at the plugs ?

Are you using resistor spark plug wires?

nkaminar · 08-26-2023, 03:56 PM

There are two mechanisms of loss in the high tension plug wires (straps). One is resistance and the other is radio frequency radiation. With solid conductors, like a solid wire or the straps, you can detect the radio frequency radiation with an AM radio or other electronic device. The resistance losses are very low because of the high voltage and low current. Modern wires (modern meaning 1950-60) have a carbon core conductor which reduce the radio frequency radiation by adding some resistance. I doubt that you will be able to tell much difference between modern wires and the straps because the straps are so short, but in theory there would be a difference. To improve performance while keeping the stock look of the straps, use a modern carbon core high tension wire from the coil to the distributor cap.

jb-ob · 08-26-2023, 07:18 PM

Eventually some come to the obvious conclusion that those who designed and assembled the original Model A's were talented geniuses who didn't need our help.

Synchro909 · 08-26-2023, 10:08 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jb-ob

Eventually some come to the obvious conclusion that those who designed and assembled the original Model A's were talented geniuses who didn't need our help.

And they did it without so much as a 4 function calculator.

JayJay · 08-26-2023, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

And they did it without so much as a 4 function calculator.

I went through college in the early 1970’s and remember the advent of electronic calculators (one of my roommates, who was quite well off, had an early Texas Instruments calculator. We spent most of a well lubricated Friday afternoon around the pool figuring out how many Big Macs it would take to go from San Francisco to Chicago). It really is impressive to think what our ancestors accomplished with paper and pencil, perhaps aided by slide rules. My dad, who went through engineering school just pre-WWII, would invariably whip out his slide rule to check his answers obtained with a calculator. I relied upon slide rule until close to my graduation. I tried to teach my son (also an engineer) how to use one but no success. Now I can’t even use the software he uses now.

Benson · 08-27-2023, 01:03 PM

Still have a T. I. SR-10. The battery is dead.

Patrick L. · 08-27-2023, 04:52 PM

It may be because of resistor type plug wires. Try a set of solid copper wire plug wires and see if it changes.

08-26-2023, 02:21 PM	#1
harryc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CA Posts: 206	curious------ distributor spark question anyone running a modern distributor cap and wires ever notice that the original wire connectors and original cap seem to put out a hotter spark at the plugs ?

08-26-2023, 03:08 PM	#2
c.murray Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 11	Re: curious------ distributor spark question Yes, original Ford parts work great.

08-26-2023, 03:56 PM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: curious------ distributor spark question There are two mechanisms of loss in the high tension plug wires (straps). One is resistance and the other is radio frequency radiation. With solid conductors, like a solid wire or the straps, you can detect the radio frequency radiation with an AM radio or other electronic device. The resistance losses are very low because of the high voltage and low current. Modern wires (modern meaning 1950-60) have a carbon core conductor which reduce the radio frequency radiation by adding some resistance. I doubt that you will be able to tell much difference between modern wires and the straps because the straps are so short, but in theory there would be a difference. To improve performance while keeping the stock look of the straps, use a modern carbon core high tension wire from the coil to the distributor cap. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 08-26-2023 at 04:02 PM.

08-26-2023, 07:18 PM	#5
jb-ob Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 640	Re: curious------ distributor spark question Eventually some come to the obvious conclusion that those who designed and assembled the original Model A's were talented geniuses who didn't need our help.

08-27-2023, 01:03 PM	#8
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,599	Re: curious------ distributor spark question Still have a T. I. SR-10. The battery is dead.

08-27-2023, 04:52 PM	#9
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: curious------ distributor spark question It may be because of resistor type plug wires. Try a set of solid copper wire plug wires and see if it changes.