Is distributor lead wire special?
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
Is distributor lead wire special?
Short and simple question: I am reading different descriptions about the long lead wire that runs between the coil and the distributor. Is this a special "resistor wire" or will any same AWG replacement work? (a replacement is ~$12 vs. ¢¢ for standard wire with transferred terminals)
(standard mechanical points distributor)
(standard mechanical points distributor)
Last edited by barkingrats; Apr 16, 2020 at 11:36 PM.
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
Thanks. It's about 10-12" long and enters the distributor through a rubber grommet from below the points/condenser plate. Sure looks like regular wire to me...
Last edited by barkingrats; Apr 17, 2020 at 09:39 AM.
Race Director
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The resistor wire on a points system is one of the double wires that is connected to the positive terminal of the coil.
The wire from the negative terminal to the distributor is a plain wire.
The wire from the negative terminal to the distributor is a plain wire.
Last edited by MelWff; Apr 17, 2020 at 10:44 AM.
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
Yes, that's the one -- goes to the negative terminal on the coil. Seems a little pricey for a regular old wire.
Thanks everyone for the confirmation. Just wanted to be sure I wasn't going to fry something with my cheapskated-ness and end up poorer.
Thanks everyone for the confirmation. Just wanted to be sure I wasn't going to fry something with my cheapskated-ness and end up poorer.
Le Mans Master
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$4.44 at Rock Auto for a lead wire with two 90* flags soldered on and done is pricey?
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
At the regular Corvette vendors & Summit it starts around $9.00, which was causing me some pause because I thought it must be a specialized (resistance) wire to justify that cost.
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Tech Contributor
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Just go to your local NAPA and buy part number LW72. List price is $5.10. My cost is $3.29. I would think you could score one for about $4.
Lars
Lars
Last edited by lars; Apr 17, 2020 at 09:58 PM.
Pro
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Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
That wire is not a resistance wire, but it does have 'special' characteristics. It is a very flexible wire with can take lots of vibration, bending, etc without causing a failure. It also has heat and oil resistant insulation that will not break down or get hard/cracked in the engine compartment environment. It has a metal strain-relief collar on it that will not wear thru the insulation and cause a short.
Take the hint[s] and buy the correct part for that wire. If you just use some 'plain ol' wire', you will regret it.
Take the hint[s] and buy the correct part for that wire. If you just use some 'plain ol' wire', you will regret it.
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHLW67?partTypeName=Distributor+Lead+Wi re
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHLW72?partTypeName=Distributor+Lead+Wi re
(DDL-29 returns these two results too.)
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
I'm not trying to "out-guess" anyone. I wanted to be sure I was getting what folks were telling me -- so checked both the DDL-29 and the LW72. That's how I got the two search results that I asked about. I didn't notice the length difference between them, for that I apologize.
Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
No apology required. We are all just trying to give you decent advice. The length of that wire is not important, as long as it is long enough to reach the connection points in your car. Basically, measure the distance between the bottom of your distributor and the center of your ignition coil and double that distance. That's roughly the length you need.
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
No apology required. We are all just trying to give you decent advice. The length of that wire is not important, as long as it is long enough to reach the connection points in your car. Basically, measure the distance between the bottom of your distributor and the center of your ignition coil and double that distance. That's roughly the length you need.
Thread Starter
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: US-PNW
Oh for cryin' out loud
VS. what it is supposed to look like...
Barcode on the back of the plastic bag doesn't match box.
Last edited by barkingrats; Apr 22, 2020 at 11:25 PM.