[FWDLK] One Red Distributor Wire Boot

["Wayne Graefen" <wrgraefen@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Howdy,

Over in the Chrysler 300 Club International e-mail group (club
members only) there is a discussion going on about Chrysler's
factory use of one red distributor wire boot.   I'd like your
input because I think it applies to a number of forwardlook cars
(perhaps all?).

Question is When and Where?

Early consensus is the practice started in 1951 on the new hemi
V8 of putting a red boot on the distributor end of #1 spark plug
wire because the hemi plug wires are fully enclosed on top of
the valve covers.  This way a mechanic could pull the #1 wire
easily to do a timing check.  This would have continued through
1958 on all '51-58 Chrysler hemis, '52-57 Dodge hemis, '53-57
DeSoto hemis, and hemi-powered Dodge trucks (into 1959).

Did the wedge V8s or any of the sixes also use a red boot on #1
during that period?

Then in the post hemi period into perhaps the mid '60s the 300
guys are finding red boots on the coil wire OR on the #1 plug
wire,   It would make some sense to continue this plug wire aid
for the mechanics even though the original source cause of the
wire covers was gone, but there is no apparent reason to put a
red boot on the obvious center coil wire.

I know they all look black after many miles of dirt, oil and
fumes.  But if you have an original low mileage car that may
have original factory plug wires, you may want to take a rag and
some solvent and wipe down your plug wire boots to check this
authenticity point for the benefit of us all.

And if you find your car had a red boot, don't fret about
replacing it.  Gary Goers repro part #413 is a red spark plug
wire boot.

Any and all comments welcome, either to the list or to me
personally.  I'll pass along the results to the 300 Club Intl.

Thanks!
Wayne