Ivan_B Posted November 18, 2023 Report Share Posted November 18, 2023 Quick question: does anyone have an image of what the OEM spark plug terminals should look like for a 1940 car? I looked around but could not find a definitive answer. There aren't any vintage engine photos seem to be readily available. According to the illustrations in the service manual, the terminals are straight snap-on's, installed over Bakelite rain shields (which, I assume are held down by a standard spark plug snap-on terminal nut). But these illustrations are hand-drawn and do not necessarily reflect the actual setup. On the positive side, I think I still have two OEM rain shields, and that's better then none ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug&Deb Posted November 18, 2023 Report Share Posted November 18, 2023 The original wires didn’t have rubber boots. What you refer to as rain shields is the Ever-Dri kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted November 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2023 I am referring to these. They are identified on the blow-out engine illustrations in the service manual. I also saw them installed on at least one restored car, except that the author is using a more modern wires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted November 18, 2023 Report Share Posted November 18, 2023 Here is the instruction sheet from the ever-dry kit showing the angled sparkplug metal connector. Rich Hartung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted November 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2023 Yes, but these are something else, so the connector is also different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted November 18, 2023 Report Share Posted November 18, 2023 Ivan: i just did a search on Ebay and found what you are looking for: These are Bakelite plastic shield there also is another type that are rubber but are cone shaped. These seller sells these for WWII jeeps and they come in set of four. These are not correct for your 1940 Plymouth the ever-Dry is the correct accessory that was sold by the dealerships. WWII ford GPW GPA ✅(A1096-BAK) Ignition Spark Plug Rain Shield Bakelite, QT4 JMP here is the lisiting for the rubber ones: willys MB ford GPW ✅(A1096-RUB) Rubber Spark Plug Rain Shields ▲ non conductive▲ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted November 18, 2023 Report Share Posted November 18, 2023 Ivan: I just looked in my 1936-42 Desoto Master parts book under the electrical section, and I just found what you might be looking for as documentation on the sparkplug cover. I just learned something about my car and for the other Mopar cars. So the items that the guy is selling for the WWII jeeps might be correct for your car. The rubber spark plug cover was first used in 1938 and up thru 1942 as per my catalog. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted November 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2023 Rich, Thank you for checking. I did see these Jeep shields, two types. The large rubber ones are definitely not it, but the small Bakelite ones look correct. Although, the eBay ones are newly-made, and i would rather prefer to find the originals, if I can. I know someone probably have a bunch of those laying around in some random-unknown-old-stuff drawer in the garage somewhere. I just need to find this person. The 2 OEM shields I found were in the glove box, among some other random trash. I did not even know what these were, but I was smart enough to take everything out and put it away pending further investigation. And then, one day I was reading through the manual and noticed something familiar... So now I want to install them Here are a couple of illustrations I am referring to. These are from the 36-42 service manual (straight terminals): And this one is from the P9-P10 1940 Owner's manual (90-degree terminals): So, I think the small Rain Shields are undoubtedly stock, but the correct terminal-style questions still remains ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted November 19, 2023 Report Share Posted November 19, 2023 IVAN: i doubt that you are going to find these caps still in perfect condition since they willnow be about 84 years old and rubber parts just get hard a brittle. The 90 degree angle sparkplug connectors are available but again you are looking to find something that is again 84 years old, might find them. Next big question are you planning to have this car judged at an AACA car show or at the Plymouth owner car show? Most judges do not know if the sparkplg angle connector is the original or an after market item. Sometimes you just have to go with what is available and if it looks period correct then most do not say anything. Also 99% of the people looking at your car do not even know what the correct engine and parts are for the 1940 Plymouth, most of these experts are now dead that did any work on these cars. So again what is your intention for the displaying or judging of your car. If you ever go to a major car show there are lots of reproduction parts on some of the Senior cars and some are even made specifically for an owner. Rich Hartung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerJon Posted November 19, 2023 Report Share Posted November 19, 2023 From the illustrations, it looks like a 90* terminal. These might be a good choice, but they also have a 1 piece style. https://brillman.com/product/better-right-angle-crimp-spark-plug-terminal/ They also have the correct looking wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted November 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2023 1 hour ago, desoto1939 said: IVAN: i doubt that you are going to find these caps still in perfect condition since they will now be about 84 years old and rubber parts just get hard a brittle. The 90 degree angle spark plug connectors are available but again you are looking to find something that is again 84 years old, might find them. That is true, rubber does not last that long. But I am looking for Bakelite shields, these should still be good. The ones I found look very nice, not sure how long ago they were taken off the car, though. Worst-case scenario, if I cannot find them I'll by the reproductions from e-may. My car is not for shows, nor a perfect stock condition. This is just a little matter of personal fancy 1 hour ago, FarmerJon said: From the illustrations, it looks like a 90* terminal. Yes, the ones on the last illustration definitely look like these (bottom middle): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted September 17 Author Report Share Posted September 17 On 11/19/2023 at 3:16 AM, Ivan_B said: I know someone probably have a bunch of those laying around in some random-unknown-old-stuff drawer in the garage somewhere. I just need to find this person. And I did. Thanks to @plymouthasc, I, now, have a full set of them NOS Bakelite plug caps. I just have to find some black-bottom resistor plugs, with detachable tip, for my radio and fabricate some good-looking cloth wires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Buchanan Posted September 17 Report Share Posted September 17 27 minutes ago, Ivan_B said: I just have to find some black-bottom resistor plugs, with detachable tip, for my radio and fabricate some good-looking cloth wires Krylon Satin Black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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