1961 270HP dual point coil wire

[John G.]

As far as I can determine no major vendor sells a distributor to coil wire for dual point distributors so I made one based on description in the TIM&JG manual. There are lots of coil wires for single point distributor but they are apparently different. I couldn't determine the correct wire gauge. Is this good enough for judging or should I do a better job?

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1961 270HP dual point coil wire

I don't believe there is a difference in the coil wire on a single point or a dual point distributor.

[John G.]

Re: 1961 270HP dual point coil wire

Accordingly to Lectric Limited there is but perhaps they are misinformed. Anyone know for sure?

[John G.]

Re: 1961 270HP dual point coil wire

This is from the packaging - line 3 is 1959-62 single point distributor. Is this correct? Is the wire close enough to use if it's wrong?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1961 270HP dual point coil wire

John------


According to GM there were different coil lead wires for 2X4 carb (i.e with dual point distributor) and 1X4 (i.e. with single point distributor) although I really do not understand why. In any event, the 2X4 lead wire was GM #1935585 and is supposed to be 7-1/2" in length. That seems pretty short to me, but that's what it says. The GM #1935585 was discontinued without supercession about 35 years ago.

The 1X4 lead wire was originally GM #1943016 which was discontinued in June, 1966 and replaced by GM #1942518. I don't know the length of these wires off-hand(even though I have many NOS examples) but, as I recollect, they are about 15" long.

[John G.]

Re: 1961 270HP dual point coil wire

Ahhh - the plot thickens. The LL wire is about 15 1/2" long. The one I made is about 12 1/2" and could clearly be shorter. I think a 7 1/2" might work with the distributor located like mine which I believe is correct. The hardest part in making the wire before was actually finding a real crimpable brass terminal (TIM&JG page 164). The next one will be shorter.

[John D.]

Re: 1961 270HP dual point coil wire

John, You are correct in your asumption. The original wire was quite short. Joe's info said 7-1/2". Delco Remy was known to have short wires on a lot of distributors. Just long enough to do the job.
All of the repro wires and ones that you get from various auto stores are way too long. Too long for most any distributor application. At least in the FI world they are.
I saw two restored 891's at Corvette Carlisle. Both of them had rather short wires. John D