2.1.4 Ignition coil, Distributor, Spark plugs & wiring
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2.1.4 Ignition coil, Distributor, Spark plugs & wiring
Ignition Coil: “f” marked on body (facing toward engine block), Finish is OD, Bakelite top is brown. The coil is attached to the block with 1/4-28 S2 finished nuts and lockwashers as well as two special D shaped “washers”. In pre 1944 vehicles there is a ground stud on the bottom of the coil to which is attached a ground strap which bonds the coil to the frontmost coil mounting stud.
Distributor: Two types of distributors were used during the GPW’s production history. The early open-type Auto-Lite distributor IGC-4705 was superseded by the “dustproof” IAD-4008 sometime in Late October or November of 1944 * . The dustproof distributor is easily distinguishable by its taller body. Both distributor bodies have a black parkerized finish and an oval Auto-Lite identification tag.The distributor cap is brown bakelite marked AUTO-LITE MADE IN U.S.A.
Ignition wires: Black lacquered 7mm with no markings.
Suppressor resistors: Ignition wires are connected to spark plugs by means of right-angle ignition resistor terminals. The coil high-tension wire on early vehicles included a straight, cylindrical resistor, which was replaced by a right angle suppressor which plugged into the coil tower. The date of this changeover is uncertain, but it most likely occurred sometime in early 1943.
Spark Plugs: All GPWs used Champion model QM-2 spark plugs. These plugs are marked with the manufacturers name and model number in red on the white glazed insulator portion of the plug. The plug screw base should be S2 finished. Because of the rarity of QM-2 spark plugs, no points should be deducted for incorrect plugs if the owner can present 4 QM-2 plugs separate from the vehicle.
Early GPWs included conical bakelite rain shields** on the spark plug terminals. These were eliminated in mid 1943.
* Richard Grace calculated the GPW changeover date from the known date of the MB changeover. MB's switched to the dustproof distributor at MB380269 which was built in Oct. ‘44. It is assumed that the change took place sometime after this date at Ford.
Updates to this info below this line
http://gallery.g503.com/albums/GPW-Judging-Standard/aaa.jpg
I believe the above picture is courtesy of Terry Peters, Wales, UK. The one on the left is for an MB and the one on the right is for a GPW.
http://gallery.g503.com/albums/GPW-Judging-Standard/aab.jpg
The above were recreated by Pat Walker using an original cap to develop a mold. These are made of resin and as you can see maintain the proper markings. -Bob Notman
enter your info here...
