Topic: Correct Distributor Primary Wire ~67 289 w/Thermactor

[67gtasanjose]

I am replacing the primary lead wire but want the correct one. I have a tattered 90 degree end type that looks to be green/yellow color, is this correct? (Vendors claim it should be an eyelet ring type, that is NOT what I think was used)

I have attached a few shots of unrestored examples WITH Thermactor and another RESTORED 11/4/66 built SJ Non-Thermactor and by all I can see, the eyelet type was not used.

C7VY-12216-A Seems to be the Ford service part number. Replacement wires MAY have a black end on some Motorcraft examples I have viewed.

I have read some BB versions were white so we do not have to go down that rabbit hole, I assume the white one was not used on any small block over the 67 model year.

[67gtasanjose]

Maybe I asked it wrong,
What Distributor Primary Wire should I expect to see on a November 66 built 289?

[J_Speegle]

So you had to pick a detail that is well hidden behind one of those giant heater hose/PVS combination, under a thermactor hose and often another 3-4 things to get int he way of a clear view

Have some old NOS and some originals out in the garage (might already have pictures of them in my "collection"

Will look and report back but they are different from BB applications and colored for that purpose I believe. Made identification quicker for the plant that assembled the distributors

[Bossbill]

I am replacing the primary lead wire but want the correct one. I have a tattered 90 degree end type that looks to be green/yellow color, is this correct? (Vendors claim it should be an eyelet ring type, that is NOT what I think was used)
...SNIP

According to Mannel (7H1) "Whereas the coil end of the 65/66 primary wire used an eyelet type connector (d) that could slip through a small in the distributor body (e), the 67 slip-on connector (f), first introduced for 67, required a much bigger hole (g). The 67 289 Hi-Po distributor retained the same distributor body casting number as in 65/66, but did switch during 1967 to the AUTOLITE name."
Also, "The smaller hole and outlet  type connector was retained for the Hi-Po."

I believe this validates two things. 1) The Hi-Po engines retained the small grommet and eyelet. 2) All other engines used the 90 degree slip-on connector.

[if quoting Mannel is not allowed I'll paraphrase the above -- let me know]

[J_Speegle]

According to Mannel (7H1) "...................... The 67 289 Hi-Po distributor retained the same distributor body casting number as in 65/66, but did switch during 1967 to the AUTOLITE name."
Also, "The smaller hole and outlet  type connector was retained for the Hi-Po."

I believe this validates two things. 1) The Hi-Po engines retained the small grommet and eyelet. 2) All other engines used the 90 degree slip-on connector.

Not to get too far off thread I think the quote leaves over a question not confirmed - if after the transition to the AUTOLITE 67 Hipo's had the larger hole. Don't have one (at least I don't think) at home to check.

[J_Speegle]

Richard what is the color of the boot on the end of an original engine feed wire loom?  Just so I can eliminate one when looking.  Got three matches so far just ruling out things

[67gta289]

Not throwing a monkey wrench in on purpose  but the 60-68 MPC is interesting to say the least on this "12216 - wire assy. - distributor primary terminal"

The 67 MPC calls for:

C1VF-12216-A for distributors stamped with C5GF-12127-C
C2OZ-12216-A for distributors stamped with C4GF-12127-B

There is no reference to anything different about a T/E equipped C or A code.

Edit: I looked at my known original C code T/E distributor C7AF-12127-AH date code 6L7 and the body has a C7OF-12131-A stamp, which concurs with Mannel's book on page 7-23.  Based on that I think that the 1967 MPC distributor mark references are hog wash.

The 68 MPC is different.  Gone is the reference to two different distributor core stampings, but now a 289 HiPo reference appears:

C1VF-12216-A for 67 C code, automatic, except T/E. There is nothing for a C code manual, C code auto T/E, or any A codes.  I guess quality was not job one.  Looking at this again, the (2/B, C4) might only apply to the "X" car and not the "F".  I don't know then if the "exc. T/E" applies to just the "X" or everything preceding.  I suppose this is when the parts guy says "let me go grab one off the shelf and we can take a look at it"

C7AZ-12216-B for 67 289 HiPo

[67gtasanjose]

Richard what is the color of the boot on the end of an original engine feed wire loom?  Just so I can eliminate one when looking.  Got three matches so far just ruling out things

I have a tattered 90 degree end type that looks to be green/yellow color, is this correct? (Vendors claim it should be an eyelet ring type, that is NOT what I think was used)...

My concern would be that it COULD not the original one. Things like this, I would have just changed at any given moment, perhaps during any tune-up and never have given it a 2nd thought.
Keep in mind, I have been a mechanic since the mid-70's and those years from the later 70's through the 90's, I changed these all the time in So. California. They were almost always pretty ragged on the daily driven cars and my 67 was driven daily till the mid-90's.

[67gta289]

On an unrestored (but tattered) 7F01C129*** I harvested parts from the wire was black with a yellow 90 degree boot.

Same goes for an unrestored original owner (plus original battery for show) 7F02C200***.

Same for the Perkins unrestored 7T03A152***

My car, when I got it in 1980, had a black wire with orange boot.  Based on what I'm seeing though, I would say the yellow boot is made for walkin' on our cars.

Do you want me to look for more?

[J_Speegle]

My pictures of showed the same yellow boot on San Jose built cars equipped with thermactor. Three examples follow

7R1693xx even though the coil has been relocated. Did make it easier to see



7R1897xx even though the coil had been swapped out.



7R2071xx

[J_Speegle]

Not an exact match but a picture of a NOS C7OF-A that was boxed in 68-early 69

Yellow boot also



Had a C7ZF-AD that I believe came with a yellow boot also

[67gtasanjose]

Thanks much for the help.
It looks like yellow boot it is! So far, I see no other distinguishing features to note on the wire. I imagine the lengths of a yellow boot wire are all the same. Finding one of those yellow boot wires will be hunting a hen's tooth I imagine. If anyone has a 'lead" on one, pm me.

Also, nice details on some other finishes of the distributor housing and the distributor cap clips seen in your last image that would be the same across all distributors of the era. That image really helps (a lot of us).

I will clean up my original 67 Thermactor distributor and see if there are any other markings to glean from it.  Perhaps best to post any results in my Members Build thread on such details.

[J_Speegle]

Also, nice details on some other finishes of the distributor housing and the distributor cap clips seen in your last image that would be the same across all distributors of the era. That image really helps (a lot of us).

A related thread on that subject

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=13109.msg80262#msg80262

[Bossbill]

Thanks much for the help.
It looks like yellow boot it is! So far, I see no other distinguishing features to note on the wire. I imagine the lengths of a yellow boot wire are all the same. Finding one of those yellow boot wires will be hunting a hen's tooth I imagine. If anyone has a 'lead" on one, pm me.

I sent Richard a pic of a yellow wire I have on a 68 distributor and the lead is at least 4" longer than my other 67 (with a ratty yellow end).

As a warning to others, just because it's yellow doesn't mean the lengths are the same.

[J_Speegle]

Found this picture in another subsection of my picture files. Just shows the different colors of boots one the difference in lengths. All four were offered as original take offs with the marked distributor grommets/boots