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I just got allo the wire routing figured thanks to all the much appreciated ressponses from the forum. But now another issue. I just received a set of what was supposed to be NOS AC Delco 618W wires with a GM part number 12073939 and they dont have the nub on the boot that fits into the retainting ring on the distributer. It looked to be an original AC Delco box. I've had the car for 16 yrs and the existing non stock wires have the nubs. I am trying to keep the car as close to original as possible. Are the correct wires avalible with the nubs on the boot and what color were the originals. The ones I received are black. For some reason I thought they should be grey. Thank you again for the help
I just got allo the wire routing figured thanks to all the much appreciated ressponses from the forum. But now another issue. I just received a set of what was supposed to be NOS AC Delco 618W wires with a GM part number 12073939 and they dont have the nub on the boot that fits into the retainting ring on the distributer. It looked to be an original AC Delco box. I've had the car for 16 yrs and the existing non stock wires have the nubs. I am trying to keep the car as close to original as possible. Are the correct wires avalible with the nubs on the boot and what color were the originals. The ones I received are black. For some reason I thought they should be grey. Thank you again for the help
For an "original set" for an '85 you would need a GM# 12043823 with the nipples for the retaining ring OR I should say I believe that they would have had the nipples.
For an "original set" for an '85 you would need a GM# 12043823 with the nipples for the retaining ring OR I should say I believe that they would have had the nipples.
so, are you saying original 85's came with retaining rings and nipple end wires? I've had 3 original L98 C4's, and none of them as I recall, had retaining rings, or "nipple ends" on the spark plug wires. I realize the subject is 1985, but here's a pic from my (second) 1990 with the original wire set...
maybe ihatebarkingdogs could set in and comment on the subject.
so, are you saying original 85's came with retaining rings and nipple end wires? I've had 3 original L98 C4's, and none of them as I recall, had retaining rings, or "nipple ends" on the spark plug wires. I realize the subject is 1985, but here's a pic from my (second) 1990 with the original wire set...
maybe ihatebarkingdogs could set in and comment on the subject.
I ain't stating that as fact BUT in 1988 the part#'d wire set I mentioned "retailed" at $80+ dollars and the 12073939 for $46. Something is I'd think very different.
The part# I mentioned had '85 & '86 applications and the 12073939 '87 & '88 in that '88 SPO publication.
All of the "single wire" service were part#'d as being the same for L98. They wouldn't have!
USER 81C3 posted a snapshot of his '86 with the ring after you mentioned "the same doubt" in his thread!! I'd say that the OE# on his distributor "hints original"!!
I ain't stating that as fact BUT in 1988 the part#'d wire set I mentioned "retailed" at $80+ dollars and the 12073939 for $46. Something is I'd think very different.
The part# I mentioned had '85 & '86 applications and the 12073939 '87 & '88 in that '88 SPO publication.
All of the "single wire" service were part#'d as being the same for L98. They wouldn't have!
USER 81C3 posted a snapshot of his '86 with the ring after you mentioned "the same doubt" in his thread!! I'd say that the OE# on his distributor "hints original"!!
wow! now that's an interesting photo - I can say that it sure looks factory original!
without actually seeing more of the wire set, cant say for sure it they are original wires, but with 34K miles on the clock, I wouldn't bet against it. as I said, I don't recall ever having a retaining ring on any of my c4's. I tend not to throw anything out, and if there were any retaining rings, I would have at least one in my parts stash - which I don't. I can't guarantee my C4's were 100% original, but all three had mid-30K miles on the clock, and all three had individual "numbered" wire sets. only OE originals are ID with individual position numbers. to the best of my knowledge, service replacement sets are not numbered. there's a chance I'm wrong in my thinking, and if so, it ain't the first time -
i'm pretty sure I have pics on my 85 (33.5K miles on the clock) with what, i'm assuming, the original wire set. need to find those photos.
there are several original 85 owners here, hopefully someone will step in....
wow! now that's an interesting photo - I can say that it sure looks factory original!
without actually seeing more of the wire set, cant say for sure it they are original wires, but with 34K miles on the clock, I wouldn't bet against it. as I said, I don't recall ever having a retaining ring on any of my c4's. I tend not to throw anything out, and if there were any retaining rings, I would have at least one in my parts stash - which I don't. I can't guarantee my C4's were 100% original, but all three had mid-30K miles on the clock, and all three had individual "numbered" wire sets. only OE originals are ID with individual position numbers. to the best of my knowledge, service replacement sets are not numbered. there's a chance I'm wrong in my thinking, and if so, it ain't the first time -
i'm pretty sure I have pics on my 85 (33.5K miles on the clock) with what, i'm assuming, the original wire set. need to find those photos.
there are several original 85 owners here, hopefully someone will step in....
I deffinitly have the retainer ring like the picture just posted. Looks just like it
I deffinitly have the retainer ring like the picture just posted. Looks just like it
looks like i'll be eating crow on this one... - I would have bet money and most likely lost my a$$ on this one!
I do know, or should I say, pretty sure, that 1990 L98's do not have the retaining ring, so i'm wondering how various years differ - ???
P.S. in my defense, I replaced my 85's original wires set back in 1996 - that's over twenty years ago, damn, I can't friggin' remember what I had for dinner last night. old age and a senior moment... (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it....)
looks like i'll be eating crow on this one... - I would have bet money and most likely lost my a$$ on this one!
I do know, or should I say, pretty sure, that 1990 L98's do not have the retaining ring, so i'm wondering how various years differ - ???
P.S. in my defense, I replaced my 85's original wires set back in 1996 - that's over twenty years ago, damn, I can't friggin' remember what I had for dinner last night. old age and a senior moment...
My '86 had the retaining ring from the factory. The first spark plug wire set I bought (AC Delco) did not have the provisions for the retaining ring. I stashed it in the garage and finally threw it away after about 20 years.
My '86 had the retaining ring from the factory. The first spark plug wire set I bought (AC Delco) did not have the provisions for the retaining ring. I stashed it in the garage and finally threw it away after about 20 years.
more than likely, that's what happened to me - just don't remember.
This is what I believe it to be the third set of wires on my car. It had an aftermarket set when I got it. I got these from Summit for $38. Retainer ring is OE and no nipples on the 9618W wire set.
I just got allo the wire routing figured thanks to all the much appreciated ressponses from the forum. But now another issue. I just received a set of what was supposed to be NOS AC Delco 618W wires with a GM part number 12073939 and they dont have the nub on the boot that fits into the retainting ring on the distributer. It looked to be an original AC Delco box. I've had the car for 16 yrs and the existing non stock wires have the nubs. I am trying to keep the car as close to original as possible. Are the correct wires avalible with the nubs on the boot and what color were the originals. The ones I received are black. For some reason I thought they should be grey. Thank you again for the help
I have a set of 618W wires myself. I will be installing them tomorrow. Mine are black as well and the old ones are grey. There was a lot of price discrepancy with this item. One auto parts dealer wanted nearly $70 for a set. I purchased the identical item for $42.
So yea, thats factory... the pic above is off a 33k mile car... that never had a tune up before my ownership as far as I can tell.... I bought Tayler wires with the nipples and put it right back on.
85 Spark plug wire boots
I would have bet money and most likely lost my a$$ on this one!
