Carbon Coil Wire on my 56 T- Bird

[Old Redneck]

My T-Bird started breaking up and kept getting worse as I drive it. It did not act like the carb but electric. A long time age I had a Model A that did the same thing. It drove me up a wall finding what was wrong. A friend ask If I had a Carbon coil wire???? I Took it off and put a steel coil wire solve the problem. I check the coil wire and sure enough CARBON WIRE. I put a steel coil wire and solve most of the problem. I am changing all the spark plugs wire to steel wires. Have any of you ever had this problem?

[paul2748]

I think you may find radio interference with all steel core wire. The coli wire could have been just a bad wire. I would go with a new carbon coil wire first before changing out all the other wires.


You say that MOST of the problem was solved. It may be that the plug wires on it now are not in the best of shape and need replacement.


I have carbon wires on my 56 with no problems, same with my 54 Ford with a 312 in it.

[miker98038]

I can almost guaranteed you’ll have interference problems with steel core wires, and running “resistance” plugs if they even still make them didn’t help. I’m running the correct wires from one of the bird suppliers with no problems. Old carbon cores I’d suspect would break down, but the replacements will last for years. That’s with an MSD or other “hot” ignitions with way more voltage. My 55 used a set with a brown coil lead to be correct, not sure about a 56.

[Crankster]

Carbon core spark plug wires will tend to break down, eventually. Particularly the coil wire, as you've discovered.

"Resistor" plugs are practically the only type available unless you look hard.

[miker98038]

Sorry, I guess I mis spoke. I was referring to those “magic” plugs that were around years ago that were supposed to cure everything. That’s been 50 years now.

[KULTULZ]

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Originally Posted by miker98038

I can almost guaranteed you’ll have interference problems with steel core wires, and running “resistance” plugs if they even still make them didn’t help. I’m running the correct wires from one of the bird suppliers with no problems. Old carbon cores I’d suspect would break down, but the replacements will last for years.

That’s with an MSD or other “hot” ignitions with way more voltage.

My 55 used a set with a brown coil lead to be correct, not sure about a 56.

Years ago...

Would put RACING WIRES on an engine and drive through neighborhoods messing up everyone's TV reception.

No, solid cores are for racing only as they can also interfere with electronic ignitions.

As for the BROWN COIL WIRE, it was used from 1954 to 1957 I think (will have to double check) - 8EQ 12298

CASCO makes (offers) a reproduction set with the brown coil wire.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

... No, solid cores are for racing only as they can also interfere with electronic ignitions. ...

"Its very important to verify that your spark plug wires are compatible with the ignition system, or any on-board electronics in general. Solid core wires have a copper or stainless steel conductor and generate excessive Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). This EMI can create confusion with electronics and ultimately damage them. With all PerTronix ignitions we recommend that a suppression style spark plug wire (also called carbon core) be used."

https://pertronixbrands.com/pages/fa...ccordion-1-mtf

[Old Redneck]

I got the correct set of Spark Plug Wires from Hill's.