This section is to aid you in
identifying some of the main components that go into
the making up of Ignition leads and Ignition systems.
There is also a tendency for other countries
to have their own terminology to describe these components
which can lead to confusion when communicating information
to people about the subject.
The connectors and boots Magnecor
use with their lead sets will not, in a lot of cases,
resemble the OE (Original Equipment) leads. There is
no need to worry about this and in some cases we actually
improve the lead set over the original design.
Click the thumbnail images below to see a larger image.
IMAGE
DESCRIPTION
Connectors
/ Terminals:
These are the components which are crimped to the
cable ends and make electrical contact possible
from one end to the other. e.g. on the coil to distributor
lead.
Coil
/ Distributor boots:
These components insulate the connectors and stop
moisture and dirt ingress.
Sparkplug
boots:
These components also insulate and stop moisture
and dirt ingress in a much harsher environment
than the coil and distributor
boots.
Coil
lead:
Sometimes called the ‘King lead’ or
5th lead (for a 4 cylinder engine), as it supplies
the spark from the coil to the distributor cap.
In the USA leads are called ‘wires’.
Acorn
Type connector:
This type of connector appeared on the Jaguar
XK-140 and other vehicles. Magnecor can make lead
sets in 7mm and 8mm cable.
Screw
type connector:
This distributor cap (Lucas DDB101) is still very
popular on the Twin Cam Lotus and Magnecor make
lead sets in 7mm, 8mm and 8.5mm cable plus supply
a modified cap to suit. To connect the cable a
screw on the underside of the cap is screwed into
the cable and core.
Conventional
connector:
Also known as DIN (technical term) and ‘female’
– this type of connection method has been
around for many years.
Pin
connector:
Also known as an M4 connector and is used on many
late model cars with distributors or ‘coil
packs’. The pin is 4mm in diameter. The
tower which surrounds the pin can vary in diameter
from 15mm to 18mm.
Post
connector:
Also known as a ‘male/post’ or SAE
(technical term) this is common on Peugeot and
Ford ignition systems. It is exactly the same
connection as the top of a sparkplug.
Coil
Pack connector:
The coil pack pictured is a Ford 1st generation
type with the typical ‘twin hooked’
connector which is used on the earlier Zetec engines.
Coil
Pack connector:
The coil pack pictured is a Ford 2nd generation
type, which uses a ‘pin’ type connection.
