VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt '31 spark plug connectors

I recently replaced my (modern) plug wires with (Filling Station repop) "old style" - with the angled plug connector and no boot ('31). They are constantly loose on the plug; in the dark you can see mini-arcing at each of the connectors. I've almost ruined these, trying to clamp them tight with pliers. (Maybe the modern boot-style is just as loose - hidden and masked by the boot?) Is there a trick to getting these tight and staying that way?

This is a great question... Unfortunately I suspect that there isn't really a good "technical" answer, but rather a bunch of well-meaning "opinions" -- so lets get the opinions started!!!

Now--- I have wondered about this for over 30 years since I saw my '31 engine running the very first time in the dark. But the amazing thing over the years, is that after owning two more '31's that it just doesn't seem to matter!!!???!?

I have also spent time trying to figure out ways to tighten up the connections while retaining an "original" look. All to no avail.

In the end, my "opinion" is that it probably doesn't matter.

Hummmm... let's see, 10,000 volts arcing across .015 at the plug connection, and another .035 across the tip --- you know, maybe it just doesn't matter.

But - maybe if we're really, really lucky, someone smarter and wiser will set me straight.

--Bill B

Bill I remember back in the 1950's the hotrodders used to always use RAJAH connectors on the spark plug end of their wires. Have you ever seen them ? They are still available I think..My only question is would they be acceptable on a 1930's car or truck. I don't know when RAJAH connectors first appeared on the market but I think they were first used in racing in the 1930's? they are well made and nice to look at.
What do you think.....ED

They would not be acceptable for judging.

... and I'm not sure that I can even spell RjAHahJH... or whatever it was that you said. :-)

Out of curiosity, does anyone have a photo? I'd be interested in seeing one.

http://brillman.com/store/n-termina...park-plug-terminals/rajah-terminals.html

Lots of different connecting styles...

Spell it the way I spelled it..I did not make it up...ED
BTW..On Brewsters post he has a picture of one It's the one directly in the center of the picture ( the black angled one)

These are the 90 degree ones......



GO HERE

Bill, thank you. I respect and accept your "opinion". (You're the most knowledgeable '31 guy I now of!) I'll run with it for now, but I'm going to try some things before I replace this nastily-scratched-up wire set.
It seems to me that that arc across the .015 (?) gap at the plug connector is "lost energy". A .015" air gap is the resistance equivalent of SEVERAL feet of plug wire, meaning the spark plug gap is receiving only a part of the potential.
...Maybe that's why we gap them much shallower than the 'original' specification? The original engineers may have known something we haven't figured out?

and, I thought about them, but Rajah's are for racers; I'm looking for original.

I came up with a sort of solution; inexpensive, not difficult, appears to work, and it doesn't show.

I made some "reverse spring-clips" to attach to the plugs.
I used 1/4" x 0.006" stainless steel shim stock (inexpensive, Hobby store). (I first tried brass, but it didn't have any 'spring memory'.) Cut strips about 3/4" long, punch a small hole in the center. Unscrew the plug terminal thingy (I don't know the right terminology), and use it to fasten these to the plug. Then, with a little "pliers action", bend the "ears" forward and shape them to fit inside the plug wire connector, and spread them out a bit to act as a "spring". Pinch 'em together as you connect the plug wire.
It's sort of like the reverse of a modern (or Rajah) plug wire spring-clip.

Tight connections! No arcing!
I can even feel that extra horsepower (just kidding)!

You "might" see a slight improvement in your gas mileage now....


But that involves writing down a bunch of numbers and then using "math"... Probably not worth it for a vintage car. If gas mileage was an issue, then there'd be a TON of cars on the market for sale!! Ha!




--Bill B