1974, 1150 Merc - Coil & Spark Plug Wires

[LFR]

Hello All, l hope everyone is having a great holiday so far.
Santa brought me a New distributor cap for my tower of power.
I would like to get some new spark plug/coil wires for it and looking for some advice.

First ? I have the old cap and wires off except the coil wire, it?s still in the coil?(off cap)
How is the coil wire held in the coil? Does it unscrew like the other connections or does it pull straight out.
I tried to unscrew, however doesn?t seem to be doing anything but spinning.

Second ? Any recommendations for the wires?
I called Sierra & they have the 7mm black ?universal kit?

(normally ?universal? is code for almost works on almost anything & try to stay away from such things.)

And/or Sierra will make up the individual wires in the Black or Premium Blue 7mm.
I would prefer yellow wires to keep the original look, blue premium?s would be OK.
Does anyone have any suggestions on some high quality wires in colors?
The 10-32 screw ends are required for cap and would prefer a factory crimp job / have only standard hand crimper.

As always your feedback is greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1974, 1150 Merc - Coil & Spark Plug Wires

The coil high voltage wire should unscrew from the dist. cap. It pulls out of the coil. Sierra will probably sell you some new spark plug wires, however, they will be very expensive. I used to have a cheap source for the 36" "yellow tiger tails" which were OEM, but cannot find the link, at this moment.

 

[LFR]

Re: 1974, 1150 Merc - Coil & Spark Plug Wires

Thanks again Chris
Glad to hear the coil wire pulls out of the coil – quite a relief / thought I broke it.

I will try to look up tiger tails / also checking on Accel #3009 listed in a related post / crimping required.
Thinking one of my local Merc dealers may have the correct multi point crimper?

Any other Spark Plug Wire Advice is Welcome
Thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1974, 1150 Merc - Coil & Spark Plug Wires

The Yellow Tiger tails I bought for $6 ea, some years ago, had the screw end crimped on. I needed to install the spark plug end spring and boot. I would be concerned if you are doing the crimping yourself, especially if you have never done it before.

 

[merc850]

Re: 1974, 1150 Merc - Coil & Spark Plug Wires

These guys have the look you want with the screw ends attached http://store.oldmercs.com/category_s/193.htm, you should also check the timing belt for cracks etc.

 

[LFR]

Re: 1974, 1150 Merc - Coil & Spark Plug Wires

Yes, I found the tails @ 6 each, with the boots and shipping comes to over $90.

While searching for a brass plug for 1 of the carbs, I hooked up with “local” service company that does work for various dealers in the area. They have the correct crimper and will put the screw ends on for me. So I ordered the yellow, copper core Accel wires, ($26 delivered.)

They have worked on 100’s of the 1150’s over the years and have so many parts laying around they really haven’t kept track of the all. (Needed a brass plug and sold me complete carb for $6)

We got talking about 1150’s and what I should be looking out for and he told me about a Service Bulletin / Update for the Choke Shutters.
Says some 1150’s were hard starting, cold and flooded easily.
The factory fix was a Shutter Spring that fit between the grill & shutter, held in place with the grill cover screw & hooked into the grill itself.
This arched spring rubbed the molded “X” on the back of the shutter & kept the shutters flat along the carb face. I asked him to dig out two and will pick them up when I drop off the wires.

Have you heard of this shutter spring before?

Funny Thing - He did mention the timing belt. (I haven’t touched it)
Told me one year a new tech at one of the local dealers was setting the timing incorrectly on the 1150’s and he got over 20 rebuilds that season. Paid for a new garage – LOL
Also warned me that some of the engine failures can be quite dramatic – fireballs and everything

I think I will have him take a look at it during the “golden screwdriver” ride