Ford Racing spark plug wires wont fit distributor cap

[rjrobin2002]

My Ford Racing spark plug wires will not fit my distributor cap. I do not know what distributor the previous owner put on it, it has no brand. Do I need to return the wires and get a different set or change the cap? The distrubutor post are way to big for the wire caps.

 

[broncnaz]

I'm pretty sure all the ford racing wires are made for the wider hei style cap. You can usually get the wider cap and adapter at most parts stores. look at this link you need the adapter and cap and rotor. they show. These parts will fit your stock type dist. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...)&navValue=16200031&itemId=31-0&parentId=62-0

 

[rjrobin2002]

I just talked to Summit tech line and the guy was not much help. I did figure out that I have a female cap and I need a male cap. The distributor is a Motorcraft with the #12127 on it. It is new, so I do not really want to buy a distributor. I just got the Autozone link to work and found a MSD Cap Adapt that is a male post 8408 part number, is this what I need? 35 bucks seems high for a cap. I am sure someone will have the answer on here, so lets show Summit where real tech help is at, LOL.

 

[broncnaz]

Look up a dist cap for a 77 bronco. there will be a cap adapter on the same page you need that along with the cap and rotor.

 

[70_Steve]

I've seen the adapters, to convert an older style distributor to one that can use the newer style cap, sold as an Adapt-a-Cap.

Here's a pic of the adapter installed. Note the clips for the adapter, and the clips for the cap.



Bonus Question: Whats wrong with this pic (from Wild Horses on-line catalog)?

 

[rjrobin2002]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...yDisplayName=Ignition+(Tune+Up)&parentId=62-0

Is this it?

 

[broncnaz]

nope go to the standard dist cap. not the perfromance ones.
heres what your looking for but you should be able to get it locally for less.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-12106-A302/?rtype=10

 

[rjrobin2002]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...)&navValue=16200031&itemId=31-0&parentId=62-0

I see the adapter under 1977. So I can get the adapter, the cap and rotor on the page. I will not need a taller rotor due to the adapter moving the cap up?

 

[broncnaz]

You need the taller rotor as its not only taller its wider as the cap is wider to prevent crossfire. Electronic igintions tend to put out a little more power than points type thats why they redesigned the cap but it works with either setup

 

[rjrobin2002]

Would it just be better to return the wires and get some wires that fit the cap to avoid adapters.

 

[RangerRob]

To make sure this doesn't snowball further, take a look at your air cleaner to make sure you will have clearance for the taller cap. I have a low profile 13" and it does interfere slightly with the wires at the back of the cap. Otherwise, the new HEI style is the way to go! I did it using the Standard brand components and it has worked out just fine.

70_Steve....that is a 6 cylinder cap and wires.

 

[broncnaz]

I dont think so the wider cap is a benifit unless you need the space. And the motorsports wires are very good. You could also just hit up a junkyard get a cap adapter from any 77 up ford even 6cyl engines used the same cap adapter. Then just get a new cap and rotor.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Would it just be better to return the wires and get some wires that fit the cap to avoid adapters.

Nope. The adaptor, cap and rotor are all parts the factory did to upgrade the system in the first place. I personally think they should have been there since the 60's. That and the Motorsports plug wires are great wires at a bargin price.

You started the upgrade with the good wires, finish it with the upgraded cap design.

 

[broncnaz]

70_Steve....that is a 6 cylinder cap and wires.

Thats not a 6cyl cap and rotor count the wires. How about this is it a duraspark dist on a efi engine?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Not necessarily a duraspark but it's not a TFI.

 

[70_Steve]

How about this is it a duraspark dist on a efi engine?

Not necessarily a duraspark but it's not a TFI.

Yeah, that's what I got. Non-EFI distributor (note the vacuum advance) on an EFI engine.

 

[rjrobin2002]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...)&navValue=16200031&itemId=31-0&parentId=62-0

I see the adapter under 1977. So I can get the adapter, the cap and rotor on the page. I will not need a taller rotor due to the adapter moving the cap up?

So the Autozone page that I found the adapter link on has caps and rotors also. Is this the rotor that I need that is included with the caps?

 

[broncnaz]

Yes thats the rotor that will be needed. Just get a cap adapter and the cap and rotor kit for a 77 and you'll be good to go with good wires and a upgraded cap.

 

[DonsBolt]

nope go to the standard dist cap. not the perfromance ones.
heres what your looking for but you should be able to get it locally for less.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-12106-A302/?rtype=10

Thats what I used on my stock 77 distributor, when I installed the Ford racing wires

Ford Racing Part #
M-12106-A302

 

[rjrobin2002]

Thanks abunch guys. Learn something new everyday since I was not alive when these things were made. So for the trivia question on the distributor cap on a fuel injected engine. I guess ya'll are saying that the combo will not work.