Thread: BAKELITE SPARK PLUG SHROUDS

Originally Posted by digger

In efforts to breathe life into a non functioning motor, I had to 'rebuild' the dizzy cap and leads, using a series of different old dizzy caps and leads to fix
up the dizzy cap

During this exercise I noticed something unusual... whilst putting all the leads, caps etc in together I have noticed the spark plug "shrouds" (bakelite) are of three different designs..

see attached photo,
no
hole in side
one hole in side
two holes in side..

what reason would there be for these differences??
(eg what year/model for what design?)-

I look forward to hearing /reading replies!

Ta
Digger

hi digger he 2 long ones are suppresors jim

Originally Posted by russellrovers

hi digger he 2 long ones are suppresors jim

As in for radio signal??

Originally Posted by digger

As in for radio signal??

Helps radio frequency interference a bit and can give a more intense but shorter timed spark.
.

Originally Posted by russellrovers

hi digger he 2 long ones are suppresors jim

a very nice extra i will look in my lucas electric box and see if i can help you jim

Originally Posted by digger

As in for radio signal??

When the Series 1 came out in 1948, few would have even thought of using a radio in one, or indeed any other car. (In Australia, as an example, few cars had factory fitted radios until the 1960s) As radios in cars became more common, and as ignition interference to television became more noticeable (remember no TV in Australia until 1956, almost the end of Series 1!) it became common to do something about it.

The initial method of doing this was to fit a resistor in series with each plug lead, the resistor being in a moulded bakelite or plastic housing. This could be screwed to the plug connector as here, or part way along the lead. This was eventually superseded by the now universal practice of having resistive leads. It is most important not to use both. If you do, it is likely that there will be zero interference - because the engine will not start. At best you can expect a fussy engine that will only run with everything set exactly right.

You can expect problems finding non-resistive (metallic wire) high tension leads, but should be able to find them. (otherwise, don't use the the discrete resistors) If using resistive leads on these bakelite plug shrouds (and the screw connectors on the distributor) you need to take care that the termination makes good contact - they are designed for wire.

John

Originally Posted by digger

During this exercise I noticed something unusual... whilst putting all the leads, caps etc in together I have noticed the spark plug "shrouds" (bakelite) are of three different designs..

see attached photo,

what reason would there be for these differences??
(eg what year/model for what design?)

What I remember about these plug shrouds is, the middle one is a Land rover type and the two either side are from Rover P3 car engines.




1953 80"

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

1953 80"

is that a bucket bolted to the firewall?? l

Originally Posted by digger

is that a bucket bolted to the firewall?? l

Hush, we are in the presence of a higher authority here.
Upon the lifting the bonnet into the form of a stele, one must anoint their self from a stoup ( your bucket ).
Then proceed into the sacred inner workings of Land Rover.
.