need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

[Brandon T.]

I am wanting to put new plugs on my 68 l36, what ac delcos did it come with or what model has taken the place of the originals incase that model doesn't exsist now.

car is a 68 l36/390hp with radio and I DON'T THINK it's an TI car if that info is needed.

I know if you have a radio the plug wires are shielded correct? what reproduction place such as paragon, doc rebuild etc sells a set of these that are the more correct looking?

thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

I am wanting to put new plugs on my 68 l36, what ac delcos did it come with or what model has taken the place of the originals incase that model doesn't exsist now.

car is a 68 l36/390hp with radio and I DON'T THINK it's an TI car if that info is needed.

I know if you have a radio the plug wires are shielded correct? what reproduction place such as paragon, doc rebuild etc sells a set of these that are the more correct looking?

thanks

Brandon-----


The original plugs were AC 43N. This plug is no longer available from AC-Delco. You can use an AC R-43XL. This is an extended reach plug but it should work OK for you.

You could also use a Champion N5C. This is the Champion equivalent of the original AC 43N.

As far as the wires go, I think that most, if not all, of those in the reproduction market are from the same source and I think that's Lectric Limited. I've heard of problems with these wires.

[Brandon T.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

ok thanks joe so is there not a ac delco plug that is closer than the r42xl to the original 43n? i usually perfer to use delco stuff.

also on the wire looks like all are dated like 3-q-67 guess thats ok not sure why they're all dated the same.

[Terry M.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

I believe all that is available is the odd quarters -- so your choice is 1 or 3 quarter. There are other configuration issues with the BB wires. The easiest tell is in the texture of the braid, even though the original machine is used to braid them. As Joe said, there are no other options as far as reproduction wires go.

[Brandon T.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

ok my 68 is dated d07 which is nov 67..i assume i need 3rd quarter 67 dated ones?

[William C.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

Third quarter would be what you are looking for in the reproduction world.

[Brandon T.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

these look to be the original declo 43's maybe not?

http://ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=33833&dept_id=1286

[Mark D.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

Here are a couple PICS of 43N spark plugs along with a couple PICS of a set of original plug wire braiding and boots joined to reproduction dated wires.

[Wayne M.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

Third quarter would be what you are looking for in the reproduction world.

Bill -- are you saying that back in original production, all 4 quarters could have been encountered (viz. my pic of a set of 2 small block wires, (a few days ago) dated 3-Q-63 and 4-Q-63.

But that, for rationalization purposes, the repro manufacturer(s) [if more than one] print only 1st and 3rd quarter dates to cover all [within the 6-month NCRS window] ?

I see this is the case with the latest Corvette Central C2 catalog, with the exception of the first set of big block wires, for the 396, they have 4-Q-64 AND 1-Q-65, then revert to the 1-3-1-3 etc.

[Jack H.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

Yes, factory originals were date coded for all four quarters of the year. It's not unusual for original cars to have an adjacent quarter 'mix' of date codes installed...say some wires dated 1Q and others dated 2Q.

When the reproduction wires first appeared on the scene, they were offered in sets with all four calendar quarters as a buyer's choice option. Then, after maybe a year or so of being on the market, the date code choice was reduced to just two quarters which reduces stocking inventory by taking advantage of the general NCRS 6-month guideline for dated parts.

So, that's your choice today UNLESS you happen to stumble across some very old stock of dated wires...

[Wayne M.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

Spearking of BB spark plugs, here's 4 boxes I have:

1st pic: AC43N stamped on plug barrel: AC SPARK PLUG FLINT MICH. MADE IN USA

2nd pic AC43N (on box) Mf'd by McKinnon Industries, subsidiary of GM [St. Catherines, Ontario]; stamped on plug barrel (twice) MADE IN CANADA

3rd pic: AC44N; stamped on barrel MADE IN USA (gap...) 17 (?) AC FLINT MICH.

4th pic: AC43XLS: the large and individual boxes say Flint Mich, AC Delco Systems, but only thing stamped on plug barrel is "29". Note the full threaded length of the insert, for the new aluminum heads, I believe.

When did these "Fire Ring" design plugs begin ? What features did this offer (say, as opposed to a non-FR plug).

[Jack H.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

Well, I don't have all the answers for you, Wayne, but here's what I do know... The trademarks 'ACNITER' and 'FIRE RING' cluster close together in time. Perhaps one replaced the other, but that's not something I can testify to.

The JG books tend to call out the ACNITER trademark for cars of the early Shark era, but you'll find plus with the same general construction (four thin discrete green rings) and the same part designator (say, AC 45) packaged with either trademark designation.

A clue to dating your plugs (IF they're in original boxes) is to open the hinged tab and look at the inner flaps. One will bear date coding in the form of a 2-digit year surrounded by a month calendar. That tells you when the plug's packaging was made/printed...

[Tony S.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

Along these same lines I have a 427 1968 Alum heads 10:1 Comp with Electronic ignition, solid lifters. My Engine builder used NGK BR7E plugs. They appear to be loading up. Are these the correct plugs? If not what would be the correct ones.
Tony

[Brandon T.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

these look to be the original declo 43's maybe not?

http://ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=33833&dept_id=1286

So, would these be probably the closest to what it came with that you can buy today? If so I'll order these, thoughts?

[Joe L.]

Re: need help with correct plugs and wires for my 68 427

So, would these be probably the closest to what it came with that you can buy today? If so I'll order these, thoughts?

Brandon-----


No, these plugs are not equivalent to the 43N. These are "short reach" plugs used mainly for small blocks.