Distributor cap spark plug wire screw needed. | FerrariChat

Distributor cap spark plug wire screw needed.

Discussion in '308/328' started by Baltz1969, Sep 26, 2022.

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  1. Baltz1969

    Baltz1969 Karting

    Apr 24, 2017
    67
    Chula Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    Jose Baltz
    Need help locating one distributor cap spark plug wire screw for 1981 308 2V,

    I realize than after market caps run just under 100 bucks, but I’m trying to keep using the factory cap.

    The cap uses 5 screws, 3 short & 2 long. I need one long one.

    Any suggestions or assistance welcomed, thanks
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  2. miked

    miked Formula Junior

    Feb 7, 2001
    821
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    20 years ago I dropped a screw from my cap ('77 GT4) and it rolled into a crack in the concrete driveway never to be seen again. It turns out that Lucas distributor caps for '50-60's British cars used the exact same screw, in my case from an Austin Healey 3000. You might try a British sports car specialist garage, they may have one laying around. Take the one in your photo with you and see if they can match it.
     
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  3. Baltz1969

    Baltz1969 Karting

    Apr 24, 2017
    67
    Chula Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    Jose Baltz
    Thanks for the lead


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  4. Jonny Law

    Jonny Law F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    May 6, 2008
    3,173
    Over yonder.
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    IT Guy
    Two things to keep in mind; Last time I checked the factory caps were $700+ apiece and the screws were not sold separately. I have purchased items from Superformance.co.uk thinking they were after market, only to have been shipped OEM.

    I like Miked's suggestion. It would not be the only part they borrowed from the UK. The console switches are the same as the Lucas ones for the Jaguar Type E.
     
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  5. miked

    miked Formula Junior

    Feb 7, 2001
    821
    Cincinnati, Ohio
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  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Every Ferrari shop in the country probably has a hundred or more of those screws around. Drop by the nearest one and ask.
     
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  7. francisn

    francisn Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2004
    1,938
    Berks, UK
    Full Name:
    francis newman
    I recently had to replace the ventilator fan toggle switch on my 308GT4. I first tried one from Superformance. The correct position for the toggle is off when horizontal and on when down. Unfortunately the Superformance one was the opposite ie on when horizontal. I also bought a very well priced one for an MGB which looks identical to the Lucas ones I have just looked at on various E type sites. Unfortunately the switch position was the same as the Superformance one. I was lucky to find a secondhand one at dinoparts.de. So if you ever need to replace one of the toggle switches - be warned.
     
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  8. Baltz1969

    Baltz1969 Karting

    Apr 24, 2017
    67
    Chula Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    Jose Baltz
    Thanks to everyone for the help, specially 350HP Mondial for helping me acquire the screw.

    Again thanks everyone


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  9. Jonny Law

    Jonny Law F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    May 6, 2008
    3,173
    Over yonder.
    Full Name:
    IT Guy
    This is from a post I did earlier this year, but these guys are in your neck of the woods. AES (www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk). I have purchased a lot of connectors and blades from them. From a single connector to a multi, and the crimping tools as well.

    Switches
    https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product_list/255
     
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  10. francisn

    francisn Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2004
    1,938
    Berks, UK
    Full Name:
    francis newman
    All very well - but all those 2 position switches would seem to be ON in the horizontal position whereas teh correct one for Ferrari is OFF in the horizontal position. See what I wrote above.
     
  11. Sergio Tavares

    Sergio Tavares Formula Junior

    Nov 15, 2018
    841
    Full Name:
    Sergio Tavares
    What is this screw do? I am not clear on where it is location
     
  12. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    25,038
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    It's inside the distributor cap in the center of the terminals. The pointed end pierces the spark plug wire to electrically connect the internal wire conductor to the metal terminal in the distributor cap that the rotor spark jumps to. In the photo of post #5, you can see the slotted drive of the screws in the center of the dist cap terminals (the 4 shorter versions of this screw are present, the 2 longer ones, like what the OP wants, are removed).
     
  13. Baltz1969

    Baltz1969 Karting

    Apr 24, 2017
    67
    Chula Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    Jose Baltz
    #13 Baltz1969, Oct 4, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2022
    Mike, again thanks for the lead. I located an Austin Healy distributor cap on E bay and the screws appear to be the same thread & pitch as the Ferrari screws (m3.5 x 0.6). I went ahead & ordered it just to have the spare screws.

    First foto is the Ferrari screw and the second foto is the Austin screw.

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  14. miked

    miked Formula Junior

    Feb 7, 2001
    821
    Cincinnati, Ohio

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