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Old 07-10-2014, 12:31 PM   #1
oldford2
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Default 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Any pictures of nice home made 8BA spark plug wire brackets?

Thanks
John

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Old 07-10-2014, 02:20 PM   #2
tubman
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

I don't have any pictures of homemade ones, but I do have a tip. The originals are not too hard to find, but the rubber coating on them is usually in poor shape. I strip it off, clean them up, and dip them in that stuff you can buy at the hardware store that coats tool handles. With a little practice and care, you can come up with good results.
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Old 07-10-2014, 03:02 PM   #3
NealinCA
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

I just used the original strap type with a rubber grommet and cut the wires to a reasonable length...





They are a pretty simple strap that could be duplicated fairly easily...



Neal

Last edited by NealinCA; 07-10-2014 at 03:17 PM.
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Old 02-12-2019, 06:42 AM   #4
36coupe
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

I’m going to bring this back to the top. I’m looking for a picture of the brackets installed.

I have 4 brackets, 2 with the holes, that I think go on either side of the right thermostat housing and 2 with the grommet that I think go on either side of the intake behind the generator. Short on the right and tall on the left?
Sound right?
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Old 02-12-2019, 08:30 AM   #5
19Fordy
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

You can also modify the originals by cutting off the original openings and brazing on "directional" washers. Then small rubber grommets are inserted in the washers. You could easily make them from scratch. Allows fitment of larger dia. 8mm. plug wires.
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Old 02-12-2019, 09:22 AM   #6
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Used my original ones but modified them to allow the removal of the wires without having to string the wires thru them.
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Old 02-12-2019, 11:43 AM   #7
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Very good idea.
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Old 02-12-2019, 12:09 PM   #8
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Just so everyone is aware. I believe there are two kinds of late flathead spark plug wire looms, those with the individual holes in them, and those that are just sheet metal "straps" wrapped around one larger rubber grommet, through which all the wires pass. My '51 had the kind with individual holes, while a couple of 8RT engines I disassembled for parts had the other kind. I have always believed that the "one-hole" looks were early (possibly '49 only), but don't know for sure.
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Old 02-12-2019, 05:55 PM   #9
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Not original, but slick!
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Old 02-12-2019, 07:26 PM   #10
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
Just so everyone is aware. I believe there are two kinds of late flathead spark plug wire looms, those with the individual holes in them, and those that are just sheet metal "straps" wrapped around one larger rubber grommet, through which all the wires pass. My '51 had the kind with individual holes, while a couple of 8RT engines I disassembled for parts had the other kind. I have always believed that the "one-hole" looks were early (possibly '49 only), but don't know for sure.
I found both on one set of wires
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Old 02-12-2019, 08:42 PM   #11
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Originally Posted by tubman View Post
...I have always believed that the "one-hole" looks were early (possibly '49 only), but don't know for sure.
At least on the trucks, the cloverleaf style was late-'50 and on.

Nicest wiring I've ever seen (forget whose they are, Roger/Sac' Ice Cream Truck I think?)
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Old 02-13-2019, 01:57 AM   #12
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Here is a phot from the Grand National Roadster Show
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Old 02-13-2019, 12:01 PM   #13
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Single grommet, 2 brackets
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Old 02-13-2019, 01:16 PM   #14
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

"Merc Cruzer", what year engine is that? I think my "single grommet" units were from an early 8RT, but I did disassemble a '51 Merc about the same time and don't remember what came from where. It would be nice to nail this down if I can.
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Old 02-13-2019, 01:25 PM   #15
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

53' Mercury
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Old 02-13-2019, 03:00 PM   #16
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer View Post
Single grommet, 2 brackets

They no longer recommend running plug wires up against each other because the magnetic field from one plug wire can actually create spark in the wire running along side of it. You can take a plug wire that is not connected at either end and lay it along side a firing plug wire and it will create a spark in the plug wire that's just laying there. It would only be a problem if the parallel wire is next in the firing order. Like a Ford FE big block. The last two cylinders in the firing order were 7 and 8. So, when 7 is firing 8 has just filled the cylinder with fresh fuel/air because it's at the bottom of the intake stroke. This could cause engine knock if 7 induced current into the number 8 wire and ignited the air/fuel mixture early. It was easy to have this happen too because cylinders 7 and 8 are right next to each other. The fix is to keep them as far apart as possible, or cross them at 90 degrees.

Its really important on the wiring on the newer computer controlled cars to keep plug wires away fron the compuer controlled wiring. They had a problem with the Presidential limousine. When it would get about a block away from the White House the engine would quit. What they finally figured out was when they used the radio to call and open the gate the high current from the radio wiring was running right along side the wires to the engine's controller.

Last edited by Flathead Fever; 02-13-2019 at 03:37 PM.
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Old 02-13-2019, 05:20 PM   #17
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

I took an earlier set of metal wire looms, cut off the flute and bend and reattached the flute . Also moved two of the mounting legs.
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Old 02-13-2019, 06:08 PM   #18
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT View Post
Used my original ones but modified them to allow the removal of the wires without having to string the wires thru them.
Are these brackets still available?
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Old 02-13-2019, 07:24 PM   #19
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer View Post
Single grommet, 2 brackets
Long one on the right short on the left?

The best I can tell they had the two clover leaf one for the 4 wires on the passenger (right) side. Maybe on the thermostat housing?
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Old 02-13-2019, 08:24 PM   #20
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Long one on the right short on the left?

The best I can tell they had the two clover leaf one for the 4 wires on the passenger (right) side. Maybe on the thermostat housing?
They actually mount under a couple of intake manifold bolts. I'd post a picture except my cars are in Minnesota and I'm not. If you get a set of stock brackets and hold them up near the top center of the engine, it's pretty self-evident where they go. I like the ones with the individual holes and I have gotten them off eBay and also from a guy named "Tony Martino" on here and the H.A.M.B. He's been a very good source for used parts for me.

Note : They are "handed" (not identical).
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Old 02-13-2019, 08:27 PM   #21
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Originally Posted by 36coupe View Post
Long one on the right short on the left?

The best I can tell they had the two clover leaf one for the 4 wires on the passenger (right) side. Maybe on the thermostat housing?
On my car, as you are facing the engine, the long one is on the left side of the block and the short one is on the right side of the block.

I will start searching for the "clover leaf brackets", to have them, in the event this is wrong. It would be interesting to know the part numbers for the clover leaf brackets. The nice thing about these brackets is that it keeps the wires elevated from heads and the heat.
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Old 02-13-2019, 09:42 PM   #22
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Are these brackets still available?
The only place I know of is at swap meets or Ebay from time to time.
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Old 02-14-2019, 07:40 AM   #23
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Okay thanks. Looks like somebody a long time ago put 4 brackets on one set of wires. 2 cloverleaf and 2 round ones.
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Old 02-14-2019, 11:22 AM   #24
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Originally Posted by Flathead Fever View Post
They no longer recommend running plug wires up against each other because the magnetic field from one plug wire can actually create spark in the wire running along side of it. You can take a plug wire that is not connected at either end and lay it along side a firing plug wire and it will create a spark in the plug wire that's just laying there. It would only be a problem if the parallel wire is next in the firing order. Like a Ford FE big block. The last two cylinders in the firing order were 7 and 8. So, when 7 is firing 8 has just filled the cylinder with fresh fuel/air because it's at the bottom of the intake stroke. This could cause engine knock if 7 induced current into the number 8 wire and ignited the air/fuel mixture early. It was easy to have this happen too because cylinders 7 and 8 are right next to each other. The fix is to keep them as far apart as possible, or cross them at 90 degrees.
I was going to say something similar but didn't want to be the party
pooper. The other no-no is having all the secondary wires in a metal
tube, à la Porsche. Never a good idea.
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Old 02-14-2019, 06:10 PM   #25
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

I found some of the clover leaf ones in the garage. I'll take some photos and attach them later. I'm not going to use them if you think they will work for you.

Funny I did not find the ones off the Merc engine that I was sure I knew exactly where they were at. I ran into another pair mounted on the same four wires. The wires are hooked to a Mallory cap and Rajah plug ends. I wonder where the other four wires are at? I lost an entire engine in that garage once. I spotted two more on an engine somebody had given me. There are definitely right and lefts. That engine still had Ford Script wires.
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Old 02-15-2019, 10:04 AM   #26
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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The original Ford ignition systems were low enough energy that it was not much of an issue. If the ignition energy is increased (different coils) is can become an issue for sure. As compression ratios went up and the spark gap were increased in later years (60s, 70s, etc) this became more and more of a problem.
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Old 02-15-2019, 08:50 PM   #27
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flathead Fever View Post
I found some of the clover leaf ones in the garage. I'll take some photos and attach them later. I'm not going to use them if you think they will work for you.

Funny I did not find the ones off the Merc engine that I was sure I knew exactly where they were at. I ran into another pair mounted on the same four wires. The wires are hooked to a Mallory cap and Rajah plug ends. I wonder where the other four wires are at? I lost an entire engine in that garage once. I spotted two more on an engine somebody had given me. There are definitely right and lefts. That engine still had Ford Script wires.
Flathead Fever,

I sent you a PM regarding the brackets.

Thank you,

Roy Lange aka Merc Cruzer
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Old 02-16-2019, 10:47 AM   #28
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flathead Fever View Post
They no longer recommend running plug wires up against each other because the magnetic field from one plug wire can actually create spark in the wire running along side of it. You can take a plug wire that is not connected at either end and lay it along side a firing plug wire and it will create a spark in the plug wire that's just laying there. It would only be a problem if the parallel wire is next in the firing order. Like a Ford FE big block. The last two cylinders in the firing order were 7 and 8. So, when 7 is firing 8 has just filled the cylinder with fresh fuel/air because it's at the bottom of the intake stroke. This could cause engine knock if 7 induced current into the number 8 wire and ignited the air/fuel mixture early. It was easy to have this happen too because cylinders 7 and 8 are right next to each other. The fix is to keep them as far apart as possible, or cross them at 90 degrees.

Its really important on the wiring on the newer computer controlled cars to keep plug wires away fron the compuer controlled wiring. They had a problem with the Presidential limousine. When it would get about a block away from the White House the engine would quit. What they finally figured out was when they used the radio to call and open the gate the high current from the radio wiring was running right along side the wires to the engine's controller.
And that goes for MELS too
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Old 02-16-2019, 10:26 PM   #29
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

There R new stainless ignition wire Looms on line from several suppliers reletively inexpensive https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...w=1680&bih=939
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Old 02-24-2019, 12:19 PM   #30
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

Flathead Fever,

Thanks again.

Merc Cruzer
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Old 02-24-2019, 01:17 PM   #31
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Flathead Fever,

Thanks again.

Merc Cruzer
Have you noticed any difference in the running of the engine?
Martin.
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Old 02-24-2019, 04:19 PM   #32
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Default Re: 8BA spark plug wire brackets

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Have you noticed any difference in the running of the engine?
Martin.
No, the wires are good, even though they look warn. I think I will order a new set anyway from Carpenter so I can get the correct plug ends and use these as a spare set. No issues previously, I just wanted to be period correct for the car.
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