L88 Plug Wire Dates

[Jon S.]

I recently had my L88 judged at a local chapter meet (Southwest Chapter). One of the things I was dinged heavily on was my plug wires. The basis of the ding was that my wires are dated "5-69". The judge said the wires were supposed to be dated by quarters, making the date completely bogus.

I had recently purchased these wires from Lectric Limited, and the dates on wires they sent me matched the dates on the wires I replaced (although I don't have any knowledge of the originality or source for those wires). I spoke to Lectric Limited's tech guy today and he says that the judge was wrong. They took their specs for the wires from several original L88s (he reference a guy in Michigan who supplied the cars), and that they were positive the wire dates were correct for those cars. However, they have no documentation available to back up this assertion. He also claims that this has never been disputed before.

My question for the group is "who is right?" I'm not concerned about disputing the judging of the car or correcting the score, but I want to know the right answer because my next step is a regional meet. I haven't had alot of time to do research on this yet, but my understanding is that the NCRS judging manual also backs up the judge's opinion (although the L-L guy says the judging manual doesn't take into account L88s).

Thanks in advance for ideas. Jon Strachan, NCRS#10673

[Bill Clupper]

Re: L88 Plug Wire Dates

I happen to work at the facility that produced the wires for GM. I have in my hand an original piece. The logo reads "3702 7MC PACKARD 65003R 11-66" That should answer the question. The TVRS wires on non-L88 engines were dated by quarter.

[Jon S.]

Re: L88 Plug Wire Dates

Thanks Bill! Now at least I have a confirming 2nd opinion from what sounds like an informed source. (confirming and comforting, considering what Lectric Limited charges for L88 wires...)

Now what happens? I'm kind of new to having cars judged, so when I take the car to a regional meet and the judge says the wires are wrong, what do I do? Do I need some kind of documentation to prove that they are correct? Do I just print Bill's response and take it with me?

I understand the process for questioning the judges ruling. Rather, I should say that I read the 'Owners Advisory' I was given at the chapter meet, but it talks about the burden of proof belonging to the owner. Right now I have no proof.

Thanks again, Jon #10673

[Bill Clupper]

Re: L88 Plug Wire Dates

In general, you can follow the appeals process set out in the Judging reference manual, or you can just set tight and wait for the judging manual team to catch up. I'll email you a scan of a pretty good picture I have of the wire I know to be original production.

[Terry M.]

Re: L88 Plug Wire Dates

Jon,

Print out Bill's response and take it with you. If the judges looking at your car don't recognize Bill's name the Team Leader (your next point of appeal after the judges) will. Just be cool about how you approach the issue. If you go in with a chip on your shoulder, human nature being what it is, it will not bode you well in the long run.

Terry

[David C.]

Re: L88 Plug Wire Dates

terry:--- i found a set of original L-88 wires in mint cond at carlisle last year ---i gonna give you the dates. here 3/69 and other i.d. number 65003r and packard 7mc 3702 those are some of the number and they are on the orig brown dekci remy cap patent number 2769047 with R yes R which stands for R ? registered !! trademark David Crane

http://www.cranescorvette.com/pr02.htm

[David C.]

Re: L88 Plug Wire Dates

have 3/69 wires for dates: survey--David

http://www.cranescorvette.com/pr02.htm

[Len Gerstner]

Re: L88 Plug Wire Dates

Although I don't own a L-88 Corvette, I do have experience with original L-88 Corvette spark plug wires.

During the late 60's and early 70's my brother and I purchased several sets of L-88 spark plug wire sets from our local Chevy dealer to use on our big blocks. Several years ago I sold the last NOS set I had (dated 11-69) to a gentlemen in Georgia who was restoring his '69 L-88 Corvette. My recollection is that each L-88 wire had a month and year code which differs from the quarter date code that appears on my '67 small block.

I hope this information helps.