Guys,
So I made the mistake of ordering a set of concours wires for a 67 428, but they must be for a Thunderbird because they are too short for the tall valve covers. Anyways, we all learn from our mistakes. Where is the best place to buy the correct ones? I see the Branda ones and also Mustangs unlimited appears to have some from Marti. They don't look the same, the Mustangs unlimited ones have an orange boot and say they are concours. Anyone have experience with either and which ones are most correct?
Go with Marti and solve the problem, they will be correct!
I bought 2 sets of the Mustangs unlimited sets and they were way too short. Didn't try branda. Had to make my own to clear the 48 IDA webers
I bought the Marti set specifically for the 428. They fit exactly with the tall covers. However, your clocking of the distributor incorrectly could cause an issue. Ford has it clocked about 130 facing from the front of the vehicle.
Here is the set. These ABSOLUTELY fit.
https://www.kentuckymustang.com/product-p/5250.htm
I used to use the Marti wires until I tested the resistance of them with a multi meter. Now I use Taylor wires.
Taylor doesn't make Concours style plug wires. I agree that the resistance is high, like factory wires.
+1 on the Marti wires fitting perfectly over the '67 GT500 valve covers.
I have struggled ordering directly from Marti (it can take a very long time to get parts delivered for some reason) so I recommend ordering them from a vendor who has them in stock so you get them quickly.
I have not had any issues with the performance of the Marti reproduction wires but I have read that it is best to separate the routing of the #7 and #8 spark plug wires running from the distributor to the plugs to eliminate "cross fire" of those plugs. (Note #7 and #8 are next to each other in firing order sequence.) Hopefully someone can comment if this truly is an issue and the best way to eliminate the problem?
Jeff
Quote from: JWH on November 26, 2018, 11:18:09 AM
+1 on the Marti wires fitting perfectly over the '67 GT500 valve covers.
I have struggled ordering directly from Marti (it can take a very long time to get parts delivered for some reason) so I recommend ordering them from a vendor who has them in stock so you get them quickly.
I have not had any issues with the performance of the Marti reproduction wires but I have read that it is best to separate the routing of the #7 and #8 spark plug wires running from the distributor to the plugs to eliminate "cross fire" of those plugs. (Note #7 and #8 are next to each other in firing order sequence.) Hopefully someone can comment if this truly is an issue and the best way to eliminate the problem?
Jeff
Not really a issue but the factory thought enough of a possible problem that Ford separates them. The Ford specified separated wire routing is expected in concours competition or deductions result. It is covered in the assemplyline manuals. FYI the wire sets come to the engine plant already routed in the clips as left and right banks.
Bob, I use the separators and the 7-8 wire are separated per Ford. Because of the miss fire issue with factory wires.
Would that wire set from Marti be correct for all 67 GT500's or just Thermactor cars? Marti does have the same set for '68 GT500's. What about KR's?
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on November 29, 2018, 03:47:25 AM
Bob, I use the separators and the 7-8 wire are seperated per Ford. Because of the miss fire issue with factory wires.
Yes that is how the assemblyline did it and we expect to see them in concours . That is the reason for Ford doing it. My point was that if you ask racers,mechanics etc. they will tell you it hasn't been a problem to run 7 and 8 parallel. I am not advocating doing but pointing out that it IS done all of the time in the real world without a consequence (non concours of course ;) ). I have had the conversation many times over the years.
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 29, 2018, 08:00:09 AM
Would that wire set from Marti be correct for all 67 GT500's or just Thermactor cars? Marti does have the same set for '68 GT500's. What about KR's?
Early 67 did not have date code on the wires . it started later 67 . In any event If you get the appropriate dated or undated wire set for a 67 GT500 from Marti and it has the rubber thermactor sleeves installed but your car did not come with thermactor simple carefully slice them off.
Quote from: Bob Gaines on November 29, 2018, 12:18:33 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 29, 2018, 08:00:09 AM
Would that wire set from Marti be correct for all 67 GT500's or just Thermactor cars? Marti does have the same set for '68 GT500's. What about KR's?
Early 67 did not have date code on the wires . it started later 67 . In any event If you get the appropriate dated or undated wire set for a 67 GT500 from Marti and it has the rubber thermactor sleeves installed but your car did not come with thermactor simple carefully slice them off.
I don't see an offer for dated wires of the Marti sets. A May '67 Ford production I would think should be dated?
Do the extra thermactor insulators have any value on a non-thermactor car?
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 29, 2018, 01:22:47 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on November 29, 2018, 12:18:33 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 29, 2018, 08:00:09 AM
Would that wire set from Marti be correct for all 67 GT500's or just Thermactor cars? Marti does have the same set for '68 GT500's. What about KR's?
Early 67 did not have date code on the wires . it started later 67 . In any event If you get the appropriate dated or undated wire set for a 67 GT500 from Marti and it has the rubber thermactor sleeves installed but your car did not come with thermactor simple carefully slice them off.
I don't see an offer for dated wires of the Marti sets. A May '67 Ford production I would think should be dated?
Do the extra thermactor insulators have any value on a non-thermactor car?
I don't keep tract of marti date coded wires but I can say that a undated set of wires would trump a 3Q67 on a may built 67 Shelby.The insulators have no value on a non 67 GT500 thermactor .
Quote from: Bob Gaines on November 29, 2018, 03:32:10 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 29, 2018, 01:22:47 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on November 29, 2018, 12:18:33 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 29, 2018, 08:00:09 AM
Would that wire set from Marti be correct for all 67 GT500's or just Thermactor cars? Marti does have the same set for '68 GT500's. What about KR's?
Early 67 did not have date code on the wires . it started later 67 . In any event If you get the appropriate dated or undated wire set for a 67 GT500 from Marti and it has the rubber thermactor sleeves installed but your car did not come with thermactor simple carefully slice them off.
I don't see an offer for dated wires of the Marti sets. A May '67 Ford production I would think should be dated?
Do the extra thermactor insulators have any value on a non-thermactor car?
I don't keep tract of marti date coded wires but I can say that a undated set of wires would trump a 3Q67 on a may built 67 Shelby.The insulators have no value on a non 67 GT500 thermactor .
The current set being offered by Kentucky Mustang does say 3Q67 on the wires. They responded to me that dated wires are not currently available from Marti and they don't offer all combinations.
I'm learning here. The 1Q67, 2Q, 3Q, 4Q is not the month, it's the 1/4 of the year? What does the Q mean?
The repro's aren't numbered 1 through 8?
So my '67 GT500, May -June '67 build date should be a 2Q67?
My '68 GT350, February build should be 1Q68?
Both should be AUTOLITE caps?
Yes, the wires are numbered as well as having the tag with "DIST" on the coil wire. The only modification I made was removing the wire insulators that are on ALL sets for vehicles with air injection.
Keith
Quote from: shelbydoug on December 02, 2018, 10:29:49 AM
I'm learning here. The 1Q67, 2Q, 3Q, 4Q is not the month, it's the 1/4 of the year? What does the Q mean?
The repro's aren't numbered 1 through 8?
So my '67 GT500, May -June '67 build date should be a 2Q67?
My '68 GT350, February build should be 1Q68?
Both should be AUTOLITE caps?
Q stands for Quarter of the year . The date is when the wires were made at the wire mfg. Add the logistics of when it was made into the apropriate wire sets ,sent to Ford engine plant, then when it was installed on a engine . Some more time for the completed engine being sent to the designated assembly plant . Finally being installed in a chassis. With all that said more likely a 4Q67 date would be more reasonable then a 1Q68 for a feb 68 finish build date at Ford. Yes the wire sets are typically numbered 1-8.
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on November 26, 2018, 07:06:11 AM
Here is the set. These ABSOLUTELY fit.
https://www.kentuckymustang.com/product-p/5250.htm
I have a set of Marti wires from SEMO Mustang. They are marked SPW-18, 67-68 Shelby GT500. Is that the same set that you got from Kentucky Mustang? They are too short on #7 & # 8. #4 could be a little longer too.
That was your mistake, buying ANYTHING from SEMO!
Quote from: CSX 3183 on December 08, 2018, 07:23:29 PM
That was your mistake, buying ANYTHING from SEMO!
That may or may not be true but it doesn't answer the question. Marti wires are Marti wires. It shouldn't matter who sells them?
I bought them from NPD if memory serves me correct. They are correct in length fit perfectly. If you didn't clock the distibutor as ford does, ( See the Osborne manual) you may have an issue with a couple wires. Otherwise they fit exactly correct.
Look at the pictures posted of my Shelby. Those are the Marti wires.
-Keith
Marti wires are Marti wires, correct, that is until the a------s at Semo misread/mislabel, transpose numbers, any number of mistakes, resulting in you getting wrong product
Quote from: shelbydoug on December 08, 2018, 08:05:09 PM
Quote from: CSX 3183 on December 08, 2018, 07:23:29 PM
That was your mistake, buying ANYTHING from SEMO!
That may or may not be true but it doesn't answer the question. Marti wires are Marti wires. It shouldn't matte who sells them?
Unfortunately, Marti's website doesn't identify the applications with a part number.
The Marti label on the wire set clearly states the application as for '67-8 Shelby GT500. It's just the #7 and #8 wires are stressed in reaching the plugs.
I was just trying to hear from others with the same application about how satisfied they are with the fit.
I would have been happier with another 3 to 4 inches on the #7 & #8 but not being an original owner of a 67 GT500 or of this car, I don't know what the original wires fit like. Maybe this set is an exact repro and they all fit this way?
I learned long ago NOT to judge other people by their shortcomings. That would be interpretive by me, i.e., judgemental. Miss-judging them would be more of a direct reflection on my own short comings.
This is not a mistake by SEMO Mustang according to the package label. Anyone else selling these sets would also go according to the packaging label and I would get the same results.
Kentucky Mustang doesn't list a part number either. Just the application.
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on December 08, 2018, 09:30:25 PM
I bought them from NPD if memory serves me correct. They are correct in length fit perfectly. If you didn't clock the distibutor as ford does, ( See the Osborne manual) you may have an issue with a couple wires. Otherwise they fit exactly correct.
Look at the pictures posted of my Shelby. Those are the Marti wires.
-Keith
Yes nice fit but you have the special "caution fan" engine. I think it's different?
By any chance, do you still have the label from the package?
As mentioned earlier, maybe clocking your distributor one tooth over would gain more length for those two wires?
The clock is already ticking as late as it can get. :D
To tell if the distributor is indexed in the manifold correctly to the factory specs ,when the distributor is timed to factory specs the clip in the duel point distributor should be facing straight forward. For example in the picture of reply #22 the distributor has been installed a few teeth off from the factory installation . Sometimes people do it on purpose to access the rear clip easier as in the GT350. Other times it is installed with no concern if indexed as factory or not. You can sometimes have wire routing issues with factory cut wire sets if the distributor is indexed wrong .
Quote from: shelbydoug on December 09, 2018, 10:14:42 AM
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on December 08, 2018, 09:30:25 PM
I bought them from NPD if memory serves me correct. They are correct in length fit perfectly. If you didn't clock the distibutor as ford does, ( See the Osborne manual) you may have an issue with a couple wires. Otherwise they fit exactly correct.
Look at the pictures posted of my Shelby. Those are the Marti wires.
-Keith
Yes nice fit but you have the special "caution fan" engine. I think it's different?
By any chance, do you still have the label from the package?
I no longer have the label. However, it was specific application as you mentioned. Bob also told you they fit. The only variance was cutting the insulator off if you don't have air injection.
As with the original pictures of the vehicle, I explained I leaned on the fan shroud and cracked it. I used the "Caution Fan" decal to hold the shroud together while the fiberglass cured.
-Keith
The distributor is indexed correctly but thanks for the suggestion.
Perhaps a call to Kevin Marti to confirm there wasn't a packaging issue? I won't buy from SEMO either. I won't elaborate here.
You can't use the standard 390/428. They will be short. The tall aluminum valve covers do make a difference.
Kevin should be able to provide correct length for each wire per application. As I stated, #1 is clocked about 130. The wires fit perfectly.
-Keith
I bought two sets and haven't got as far as comparing the two. I suspect that perhaps this was a set for the 428 PI with the chrome covers and got mislabeled? Tomorrow.
Technically they fit but 4, 7, & 8 just make it and could be stressed out.
I went to SEMO because they had date choices. Other vendors generally don't and offer to order them for you.
I get the part that these parts are hand made and with something like wire sets can easily get confused.
I would have thought them the same too but the short covers do make a difference. I was starting to think you had a mis-package or someone bought them and switched them making the error we discussed.
-Keith
I will put Inspector Clouseau on the case. I haven't checked the second set yet.