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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Plug leads

What's favourite these days,
Silicone or copper cored.
And why?
GuyW

I use the copper cored ones so I can use the side entry distributor cap. I also quite like the yellow and black bumble bee leads!
Bob Beaumont

Copper cored or spiral wound stainless if you're looking for something special
William Revit

Also
copper ,stainless,carbon string etc are the power transmitters

silicone, plastic,rubber etc are the outer insulators

you can have a silicone insulated copper cable

stay away from resistor leads though, the ignition system of these older cars just ain't strong enough to drive them properly
William Revit

Willie, yes I thought the silicone would be the insulator layer, but Moss refers to these as 'silicone cored' ?

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/ht-lead-set-push-fit-silicone-ght241.html?assoc=142173

I have ordered some copper cored cable and will make up my own set.
GuyW

Hmmm
some plug leads have a silicone or fibreglass centre with like a cylindrical braiding over it and then the insulation on the outside of that
The spiral wound stainless leads are made like that and I think they are available in copper as well - maybe that's what Moss are selling but they havn't really described what they are
Simple is best, I reckon you've made the best decision
William Revit

I thought that if you had electronic ignition you should not use copper cored (or have I got that wrong)?
Chris Hasluck

That was the advice I got from the people at the rolling road. I had made up copper leads but the apparent scatter they were reading was down to electrical interference upsetting the strobe. They kept a set of silicon leads which they temporarily swapped over, and hey presto I straight away got a rock steady reading. Since then I've always used shop bought 8 mm double silicone leads and never had a problem.
f pollock

Definately need resistor leads for electronic ignitions to stop feedback into the system but for a normal midget points system, good old simple copper leads are best
FP
Your 8mm double silicone leads are most likely resistor leads, but just because they are double silicone doesn't necessarily mean that they are resistor
You can get a double silicone copper braid non resistor lead so caution is needed making your purchase
Guy hasn't mentioned anything about electronic ign. so solid leads are best---
William Revit

No, this is for my Frogeye which I am keeping (mostly) traditional. So copper cored HT cables are fine.
GuyW

Guy,

I seem to have some bumble bee about 2.7 metres (ex Moss) and a new GDC102 cap(side entry screw terminals) 25D4, but I think it fits earlier ones also.

If its any use I can pop it in a jiffy bag.

Still clearing out !

R.
richard b

This thread was discussed between 25/05/2019 and 28/05/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.