Topic: Multi - Color Spark Plug Wire Markings?

[FXguy]

I missed this when it was first posted so my apologies for being late to the discussion.  What's up with the mixed white lettered and red/orange lettered plug wires?

-Scott

NOTE: The first five replies were split off of another thread to capture the discussion and make it easier to find it in the future. Originally it was an off shoot of the following thread and where the picture in this post originated

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=18657.0

[Bob Gaines]

I missed this when it was first posted so my apologies for being late to the discussion.  What's up with the mixed white lettered and red/orange lettered plug wires?

-Scott

A variation that is not common but seen time to time on original wire sets.

[mgmradio]

Actually, the colors aren't mixed. The 64.5-66 wires are marked in white on one side of the wire and red/orange on the other side of the wire.

[J_Speegle]

Actually, the colors aren't mixed. The 64.5-66 wires are marked in white on one side of the wire and red/orange on the other side of the wire.

+1 Found that on a number of sets I've got or had over the years

[FXguy]

Actually, the colors aren't mixed. The 64.5-66 wires are marked in white on one side of the wire and red/orange on the other side of the wire.

Thank you.  Looking more closely at the #4 wire in the pic bears this out.

-Scott

[CharlesTurner]

The color of the lettering fits within certain production periods.

[FXguy]

The color of the lettering fits within certain production periods.

The Small Block Ford book by Bob Mannel has some interesting info on ignition wires in appendix D, including a table that provides part numbers, associated lettering colors, and periods of use for each.  Does not say anything about multicolored wires or wires with orange-red on one side and white on the other though.

The narrative in that section also states that K code Mustangs had radio resistance wires standard, while solid wires were available as an R.P.O.  More info here http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=19833.0

-Scott

[Bob Gaines]

I have seen numerous times over the years wire sets from 65,66,and 67 that also had a random mixture of one or more red/orange wires in a normal white letter set. There may be occurrences in later years but I don't recall seeing them. It was certainly rare but saw more random mixture then one bank being one color and the other another. Both occurrences were minority occurrences compared to the typical white lettered wire sets. FYI the wires sets were made up in left bank and right bank sets before being installed at the engine plant. Just what i have seen. 

[mgmradio]

Bob, the wires aren't white on one bank and orang/ red on the other bank. The wires have both colors on each wire. All of the low mileage 64.5-66 unrestored cars I have seen with original wires have been this way. All three of mine with build dated ranging from 8/64-6/65 are this way.

[CharlesTurner]

I've had a few NOS plug wire sets, in the old FoMoCo boxes and the colors always matched on all of them.

[jwc66k]

The 64, 65 and 66 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manuals references two Ford part numbers for V-8 spark plugs wires, one for the left bank, one for the right bank. Those part numbers are for a sub-assembly, four wires and two wire separators making the group. This was for ease of assembly. They "may" have been color coded for identification purposes on the assembly line. NOS spark plug wires are for service and come in a set of 8 (and a coil to distributor wire) under a single Ford part number and as a service set would not have color codes.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

NOS spark plug wires are for service and come in a set of 8 (and a coil to distributor wire) under a single Ford part number and as a service set would not have color codes.

Example of color coded wires below:

[jwc66k]

The NOS set I got about 20 years ago had all white letters and numbers (the car was sold in 2004). Is there any date code information on your set?
Jim

[FXguy]

Example of color coded wires below:

Interesting that these are SX wires and they have the red-orange lettering.  So not just a characteristic of the radio resistance wires.  Do all of the wires in the box have the same color lettering?  Based upon your earlier comment, I'm assuming that they are.

-Scott

[CharlesTurner]

Interesting that these are SX wires and they have the red-orange lettering.  So not just a characteristic of the radio resistance wires.  Do all of the wires in the box have the same color lettering?  Based upon your earlier comment, I'm assuming that they are.

They were all the same.  Ultra-rare set used on 427 engines, including Cobras.  Have a couple other sets, one is Radio Resistance with blue coloring.