Silicone Grease Side Entry Distributor Cap

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svenedin
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Silicone Grease Side Entry Distributor Cap

Post by svenedin »

Today I made up a new set of HT leads with Lucas Hypalon tinned copper core 7mm lead. 7mm size fits side-entry distributor caps. Buying the cable by length and making up the leads is cheaper and also makes for better lengths of leads as compared to off the shelf sets and as far as I know, you cannot buy a ready made set made with copper core cable. Carbon "string" type leads are a "service item" with a short life. Copper core cable lasts almost for ever unless damaged.

I happened to find and read (for the first time in decades) my 1969 Driver's Handbook. In the book it recommends that the entry holes in the distributor cap are packed with silicone grease (dielectric grease). Presumably this prevents the ingress of water. At the other end of lead, a rubber boot can be used in addition to a screw on spark plug cap to reduce the possibility of problems with damp.

Probably most people already knew about the silicone grease but I didn't. I obviously didn't read the Driver's Handbook very carefully all those years ago!


Stephen

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1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.

Stephen
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Bill_qaz
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Re: Silicone Grease Side Entry Distributor Cap

Post by Bill_qaz »

svenedin wrote: Tue Aug 18, 2026 7:02 pm Today I made up a new set of HT leads with Lucas Hypalon tinned copper core 7mm lead. 7mm size fits side-entry distributor caps. Buying the cable by length and making up the leads is cheaper and also makes for better lengths of leads as compared to off the shelf sets and as far as I know, you cannot buy a ready made set made with copper core cable. Carbon "string" type leads are a "service item" with a short life. Copper core cable lasts almost for ever unless damaged.

I happened to find and read (for the first time in decades) my 1969 Driver's Handbook. In the book it recommends that the entry holes in the distributor cap are packed with silicone grease (dielectric grease). Presumably this prevents the ingress of water. At the other end of lead, a rubber boot can be used in addition to a screw on spark plug cap to reduce the possibility of problems with damp.

Probably most people already knew about the silicone grease but I didn't. I obviously didn't read the Driver's Handbook very carefully all those years ago!


Stephen


IMG_3668.jpegIMG_3666.jpegIMG_3667.jpeg
The 1st paragraph must of made you chuckle after your recent posts :cry:

It will never start with only one coil connection :lol:
But the new very shiny coil should reflect heat :tu1:
Regards Bill
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svenedin
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Re: Silicone Grease Side Entry Distributor Cap

Post by svenedin »

Bill_qaz wrote: Tue Aug 18, 2026 8:02 pm
svenedin wrote: Tue Aug 18, 2026 7:02 pm Today I made up a new set of HT leads with Lucas Hypalon tinned copper core 7mm lead. 7mm size fits side-entry distributor caps. Buying the cable by length and making up the leads is cheaper and also makes for better lengths of leads as compared to off the shelf sets and as far as I know, you cannot buy a ready made set made with copper core cable. Carbon "string" type leads are a "service item" with a short life. Copper core cable lasts almost for ever unless damaged.

I happened to find and read (for the first time in decades) my 1969 Driver's Handbook. In the book it recommends that the entry holes in the distributor cap are packed with silicone grease (dielectric grease). Presumably this prevents the ingress of water. At the other end of lead, a rubber boot can be used in addition to a screw on spark plug cap to reduce the possibility of problems with damp.

Probably most people already knew about the silicone grease but I didn't. I obviously didn't read the Driver's Handbook very carefully all those years ago!


Stephen


IMG_3668.jpegIMG_3666.jpegIMG_3667.jpeg
The 1st paragraph must of made you chuckle after your recent posts :cry:
It did! If only the coils were like that now.

Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.

Stephen
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