G503 Military Vehicle Message Forums

Hello,
This was something that i had in my mind for some time.And after the discontinue of the military plugs from Autolite i thought that wa the time to make it.
I have 3 sets of new 2245 and a new set of wires for the shows and where i want originality.But in daily driving i want something cheap and redy avaliable.So i choose for the plugs on Europe the Champion J8C and i make 4 new cables from old military cables.Following the photos

first of all here are the parts that you need from the old military cable


you have to remove carefully from the old cable the threaded end


and attach it to the new cables.If you have copper cables you can solder it


here is the civil cable with the parts all together



and finally the first two wires ready.I have to use some heat shrink between the military brown silicone and the black civil wire to seal it.First tests was good.I will post more photos of the installation tomorrow

and installed!!
i have to buy some heat-shrink to finish the job.

can you repost the photos as photobucket seems to have deleted them

where cam i upload them free??

If you type in a google search for "convert military spark plug wires to civilian", and click on "images" at the top, the 4th picture in will show you the finished wire conversion.


the link below describes a conversion on a similar type military wire to civilian which may help. The conversion of a USA m-series wire will be easier to do than in the link due to parts easier to remove.

http://madscientisthut.com/sdp-pin/html ... rsion.html

I've used civilian plugs and wires for the last 30 years on my M38A1 with no problem. Im still running 24 volts and stock distributor. I use a universal set from napa but Think you can get them any parts store.

Javier

They have not been availible since the 60's but Champion made conversion kits to install specialwater proof fittings on 7mm conventional wires. The Air Force motorpool at DOW AFB was one of the best local customers and converted their M-38, M-51 5 Ton Dump, M-246 5 Ton Wrecker, and M-108 REO's to these kits.

I have 4 aluminum adaptors that hold a standard civilian sparkplug inside with rubber gaskets that screw together and have the same thread for the original waterproof M series connectors. Anyone out there ever come across these also ?

I no longer have the information.

Now that we can't get NOS coils (or good aftermarket ones) for a decent price, I guess the next step after switching to civi plugs and wires will be coming up with a 24v aftermarket coil conversion. I have been toying with the idea of installing civi distributor/wires/plugs and running a hybrid 12/24v system because or replacement part prices/availability.

Can you use a resistor or something along those lines for using a 12v coil?

wilfreeman wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 4:52 am

Now that we can't get NOS coils (or good aftermarket ones) for a decent price, I guess the next step after switching to civi plugs and wires will be coming up with a 24v aftermarket coil conversion. I have been toying with the idea of installing civi distributor/wires/plugs and running a hybrid 12/24v system because or replacement part prices/availability.

Can you use a resistor or something along those lines for using a 12v coil?

I am thinking of this as well. With the price of the orginal type parts it just might be worth doing.

I converted a M38a1 with the stock waterproof distributor using ignition wires from an aircraft engine. They are shielded and have solid core. The end that fits the aircraft sparkplug screws directly to the jeep distributor cap. I then cut them to length and added a slip on end for a standard automotive sparkplug. These wires are expensive--- look for a local airport that does maintenance on small piston engine airplanes or engine overhauls, they have to replace them at overhaul regardless of conduction. I also got some from an airboat parts supplier in Florida. They buy wrecked aircraft engines and part them out if they don't run. Jim T