Plug leads

[jimbo]

OK, so it's only asthetics but one of the plug leads on my car is a different colour and I would like to replace the set so they match! Sad I know ...

Can I just buy a set from Halfords or similar or do they need to be special in some way?

It's a '72 Sprint on Webbers and is still running the standard distributor, dynamo etc.

Thanks,

James

[archigator]

I've made my own using Bumblebee black and yellow striped ignition wires (wires only) that are available from Moss Motors. They're a correct vintage wire too (not stock on an Elan, but period-appropriate.) 7mm size to fit the stock distributor cap; I purchased Magnecor fittings for the wires seperately.

For performance, but not necessarily aesthetics because they're plain black in color, I would recommend installing the full Magnecor wire set. Catalog no. 4790.

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint
Miami, Florida

[mikealdren]

James,
Period leads were of two types, suppressed leads and copper leads with suppressor caps on the end. Suppressed leads tend to be more prone to breaking down so I prefer copper leads but make sure they have suppression caps on or you will get radio interference.

Mike

[jimbo]

Mike,

That would be a clever trick ... I've not got a radio!

Thanks for the advice.

James

[jimbo]

Gary,

I had a quick look in their catalogue and am wondering if I actually need part no. 47204 since my distributor cap is of the clip on type? Or am I reading it wrong. The cap is a clip on, but the wires are terminated in the cap with screw blocks ...



Cheers,

James

[mikealdren]

Jim,
Sorry you haven't got a radio, mind you they're not that easy to hear in a Lotus. You do need the suppression anyway so that other road users can hear their radios without interference.

Mike

[archigator]

James, Maybe you should contact Magnecor directly and get their recomendation. I have a clip-on distributor cap too with screw blocks, and that's the plug wire set they'd recommended to me, although I haven't installed it. Personally, being an unabashed aesthete, I went with the Bumblebee wires. Chicks dig guys with striped wires...

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint
Miami, Florida

[Fred Talmadge]

You do need the suppression anyway so that other road users can hear their radios without interference.

Remember the good old days when hot rods would drive by your house and the TV and radio went all fuzzy. I wonder if you could get enough interference to mess with cars computers? Especially all those Honda Civic guys who want to race.

[elancoupe]

I have had a few sets of wires over the years, but the Magnecore wires are hands down the best I have used.

[steveww]

Remember the good old days when hot rods would drive by your house and the TV and radio went all fuzzy. I wonder if you could get enough interference to mess with cars computers? Especially all those Honda Civic guys who want to race.

Before I fitted new leads to my Elan the copper wire and non resistor plugs would crashed the rolling road computer every time. I also played havoc with the converted tacho and the rev limiter. Thus new surpressed magnecore wires.

[richboyd]

If my Elan uses solid (copper) core ignition wires, will I broadcast enough RF interference to shut down any neighboring cell phone users?
I am certain that the person who crashes into my Elan will be driving an SUV while talking on a cell phone. No doubt about the cell phone aspect.
Not an accident - better defined as driver inattention. Negligence.