Clip-on Side Mirrors

[55 Fargo]

Hi, ordered a set of clip-on side mirrors from Roberts, as well an original type spark plug wire set. Very pleased with the quailty and the wire-set fits and looks great.The clip on mirrors the $12.50 models are okay, but 1 mirror had allen set-screws and the other phillip set screws, the allen set screws could hardly turn, they were so tight, and looked to be cross threaded or something, the phillips set were great. I phoned Roberts, they said they had never had this happen, but he would send me another mirror no charge, bonus on that.Have any of you guys had similar experiences with these clip-on mirrors. After the USA/Canadian dollar exchange, postage, Duty and handling on the Canadian end, they were more like $17.50 each, gotta pay the free medicare up here someway I suppose, LOL...............Fred

[BobT-47P15]

Fred......those spark plug wires......are the ends that attach to the plugs "L" shaped or straight?

I would like to get a new set with the "L" ends.

[Merle Coggins]

I would like to get a new set with the "L" ends.

Bob,

Since you're not lucky enough to have Farm & Fleet or Fleet Farm stores down by you, maybe check with your local farm supply type store. Do you have Tractor Supply? I got my plug wires at F&F in the tractor parts section. They were universal plug wires for a 6 cyl tractor. They have the 90 degree plug ends, with boots, and are cut to fit. They look perfect on my engine.

Merle

[Normspeed]

I believe I got my plug wires from Roberts and I'm happy with the quality and the look. Be sure to push them into the distributor cap until they click firmly in. You might need to use a pliers to do that.

I had some peep mirrors from another outfit, never was real happy with the clamping system. Mine had allen setscrews. The worst part of the mirrors was they damaged the paint on my doors. Luckily it was already pretty bad in that area but I wouldn't use them with a fresh paint job.

[Young Ed]

Bob we bought a roll of the wire and a box of each kind of end from Napa.

[55 Fargo]

Bob, Roberts has L shaped connectors for the plugs, no boots OEM style, buy the evrdry kit from them for a real cool look and protection for your plugs. The iwres are cheap, $21.50 for the set, the evrdry kit is around 25 or 30 dollars....Fred,ps you would get them in about4 days, I got mine into Canada in 8 days

[Norm's Coupe]

Bob,

Since you're not lucky enough to have Farm & Fleet or Fleet Farm stores down by you, maybe check with your local farm supply type store. Do you have Tractor Supply? I got my plug wires at F&F in the tractor parts section. They were universal plug wires for a 6 cyl tractor. They have the 90 degree plug ends, with boots, and are cut to fit. They look perfect on my engine.

Merle

Merle,

I bought my wires from Andy B years ago. Didn't come with boots for the plugs, just the clips. Were those wires at F&F copper wire cores? If so, I may just pick up a set too.

[Merle Coggins]

Merle' date='

I bought my wires from Andy B years ago. Didn't come with boots for the plugs, just the clips. Were those wires at F&F copper wire cores? If so, I may just pick up a set too.[/quote']

I believe they are, Norm. I don't remember for sure. I do remember that they were fairly inexpensive. The spark plug ends were already on. You have to cut them to length and install the dist cap ends.

[BobT-47P15]

Thanks for the input on plug wires. We do have a TSC (Tractor Supply Company) store here. Also a NAPA store. O'Reilly only seemed to have the straight end wires.

I currently have the L ends with no boot. Work OK - don't have any idea how old they are but a new set couldn't hurt.

[Norm's Coupe]

I believe they are, Norm. I don't remember for sure. I do remember that they were fairly inexpensive. The spark plug ends were already on. You have to cut them to length and install the dist cap ends.

Thanks Merle, I'll have to take a look next time at the store. Forgot to ask. Did you find them at the "Mills" F&F or the other one. I usually go to the Mills in Menomonee Falls. Found out the two are actually separate and do not always carry the same things. The plug wires on my coupe are ok, they look like the ends BobT posted in his picture. Never had a problem with not starting due to them getting wet, but you never know. By the way, the Mills store also sells our type of oil filters. Bunch of them usually on the shelf.

[Merle Coggins]

Got 'em at Blain's Farm & Fleet in Waukesha, but I would assume that Mills Fleet Farm would have them too. They do carry many of the same things, but that are different companies. Just go to the tractor supply parts area. I believe it's between Auto Parts and Housewares at the Menomonie Falls store.

Merle

[Ed Griffin]

Norm, I've had a set of both type wires. One set I've seen and used were the non boot type which are probably like yours. My buddy uses this type in all his restorations that call for this type wire setup. They look like originals. This is why he uses them. I never asked where he gets them but I'm sure they are probably from someone like Roberts, Andy's etc.

The set you can get at the Farm/ Tractor Supply stores with the boots are solid core wires and cost about half the price. If you've handled both type sets of wires you can feel the differance as the Tractor Supply type are more of a generic type and are a little stiffer than the non boot type. They are also not glossy black like the original looking set. With that said there is nothing wrong with the Supply store type other than they dont look like the more expensive set. One because of the boot and the finish is differant on the insualtion of the wire itself. For about 12 bucks and their availability they are very worth at least a look at. I like the non boot type more only because they look original but I also like the boot type because I dont have to worry abt getting popped in the arm while messing around the head with a running engine. Plus the ends dont tend to rust so easily as the non boot type does. Either way you cant beat the price for a extra set of wires even if you didnt like them. The only thing I was'nt crazy abt the boot type was that since they are stiffer they neeed to be cut a little long so you can keep pressure on the distrubtor end because they dont pop in the cap as well and stay there. That may just be a problem I had and not a universal problem.

[Norm's Coupe]

Got 'em at Blain's Farm & Fleet in Waukesha, but I would assume that Mills Fleet Farm would have them too. They do carry many of the same things, but that are different companies. Just go to the tractor supply parts area. I believe it's between Auto Parts and Housewares at the Menomonie Falls store.

Merle

Thanks Merle, I'll check out Mills, closest Blain's is in Oak Creek, still a little hike from me. All the auto related stuff is back in the back of the store at the Menomonee Falls Mills store. In fact, that's where I bought my engine hoist that is never in my possession. I like Fleet Farm better than Menards, Home Depot or Lowe's for a lot of stuff. Quality is better and the price is usually about the same or better as the others.

Ed, the copper wires I have on my coupe are pretty stiff too. Don't know about Roberts wire sets, but Andy's are a ripoff. That's where I got mine, before I knew better. They are good wires but all you get is wire that is already cut to size, then you have to put the distributor boot on and both end clips. For about the same you pay Andy for that, you can go to the auto parts store and almost buy a whole roll of plug wire, boots and clips. You just need to cut it yourself.

[Ed Griffin]

Norm, you have to cut the tractor supply wires also. I've never dealt with any of Andy's items because I've never bought from him. Mainly because of what I've read over the years from those on the forum that have. My friend Joe says he has dealt with him in the past with no problem but I've read enough here to know I dont want to unless I have no other choice.

I know the original type plug wires are stiff but not as stiff as those from Tractor Supply. Buying a roll of wire and the ends would be the most economical way to go if you were working on several vehicles that used the same wires no doubt. For this reason I can understand why Ed would need a roll. Myself, I dont think I'll be going through that many sets of wires in the future to justify the cost. Also keep in mind the same reason you dont want to buy NOS rubber items I wouldnt want a roll just setting around for a long time getting brittle. It just depends on how many sets you'll need in the near future.

[Norm's Coupe]

Also keep in mind the same reason you dont want to buy NOS rubber items I wouldnt want a roll just setting around for a long time getting brittle. It just depends on how many sets you'll need in the near future.

Ed,

Very good point about buying lots of wire then letting it sit around for years. Several years ago my brother in law bought a whole roll of red plug wire for his 36 & 38 Fords. Who knows how old it was, but he got it cheap at the swap meet. Cut 8 wires and made his set of plug wires for his 36 and then the car wouldn't start. After checking around, it was the wires. Inside the insulation the wires were broken. So much for saving money buying old NOS rolls of wire. Ended up throwing the whole roll away. Don't remember what he paid for it, but a penny was too much.