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Old 09-20-2020, 11:24 PM
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Default 71 T/A Spark Plug Wire Date Codes

I'm looking to update my engine compartment and purchase correctly dated plug wires. My car was built in May of '71. What "quarter" of 1971 would that be so I can get wires with a previous date? I saw an earlier thread regarding another '71 T/A with a September of '70 build date. Someone said that represents a 2nd quarter of 1970 code. That confuses me, but I don't know when the 1st quarter of each year date code starts. Can anyone shed some light on this. I appreciate any help. Alan

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Old 09-21-2020, 11:26 AM
FASTASSBIRD FASTASSBIRD is offline
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I have a set of NOS 3rd quarter plug wires I’d assume that would work for a may car but I don’t honestly know


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Old 09-22-2020, 04:24 PM
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1Q71 dated wires would be manufactured in Jan-Mar of 1971 and would currently be the best option for a car built May 1971. Originally, they made plug wires all year long and were dated quarterly. Now you can order them only as 1st or 3rd qtr.


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Old 09-22-2020, 11:33 PM
FASTASSBIRD FASTASSBIRD is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bird_collector View Post
1Q71 dated wires would be manufactured in Jan-Mar of 1971 and would currently be the best option for a car built May 1971. Originally, they made plug wires all year long and were dated quarterly. Now you can order them only as 1st or 3rd qtr.


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Quarters based on production year or calander year? I’d assume production year so wouldn’t 1st quarter be Aug-Nov?


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Old 09-23-2020, 03:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTASSBIRD View Post
Quarters based on production year or calander year? I’d assume production year so wouldn’t 1st quarter be Aug-Nov?


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Interesting question. I had always assumed calendar year since other date codes used to mark parts are done on a calendar year basis.

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Old 09-23-2020, 08:18 AM
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Date codes on parts are nearly always related to when the part itself was manufactured. These date codes are useful in recall situations trying to narrow down sets of parts that may have been a “bad batch.” I think the most accepted understanding is that plug wire date codes are based on standard calendar year. Part numbers are typically the identifier used to determine what model year the part belongs on.

Transmissions would be somewhat of an exception as the date code is made up of month and day of part manufacture while year is vehicle’s model year.


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Old 09-23-2020, 05:14 PM
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In respect to the conversation, I have understood the following to be true:

1Qxx = January through March
2Qxx = April through June
3Qxx = July through Sept
4Qxx = October through December

the better part of twenty years ago I was helping my cousin go over his low owner '71 TA;
As I recall it had plugs wires from two different quarters on it;
Many wires were nearly rock hard - which was why they were being replaced.
I believe I kept the coil wire, and have collected the odd date coded OE/SR delco/packard wire(s) when I have stumbled across them.
I currently have:
coil wire: 2Q71
coil wire: 4Q71
coil wire: 4Q77 (longer obvious replacement)
one @ 1Q70
one @ 3Q92 (obvious replacement)
two @ "EASTERN LIGHTING TVR-SUPPRESSION" (I am probably wrong, but I seem to recall these being taken off a 70-71 engine that looked stone stock)

I also have a nearly full roll of HEI wire dated 2Q87.

Original date coded stuff like this is a small fascination of mine.

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Old 11-26-2020, 05:31 AM
hiyabradHO hiyabradHO is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTASSBIRD View Post
I have a set of NOS 3rd quarter plug wires I’d assume that would work for a may car but I don’t honestly know


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Q3 of 1970?

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Old 11-26-2020, 12:25 PM
FASTASSBIRD FASTASSBIRD is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hiyabradHO View Post
Q3 of 1970?

No. 71


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Old 12-06-2020, 01:11 PM
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Are these wires still for sale?

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Old 12-06-2020, 02:58 PM
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The 3rd Q ones? I could be talked out of em


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Old 12-06-2020, 03:04 PM
JAL71TA JAL71TA is offline
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Yes sir...these seem to be as close to date code as I can get for my Dec 70 made 71 TA.

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Old 12-07-2020, 03:05 PM
hiyabradHO hiyabradHO is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTASSBIRD View Post
The 3rd Q ones? I could be talked out of em


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They are 3rd Qtr of 1971.

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Old 12-07-2020, 03:45 PM
JAL71TA JAL71TA is offline
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oh ok...I read that wrong an thanks for pointing this out. Not correct for the car unfortunately.

Thanks,
Jim

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Old 12-08-2020, 01:06 AM
FASTASSBIRD FASTASSBIRD is offline
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Actually I blew it, they are 4th quarter of 71 lol. Posted em on ebay today for 99 bucks if anyone needs em for something else

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Old 12-18-2020, 12:09 AM
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Default Bought new wires

Appreciate all the info. I ended up ordering 1Q71 wires from AMES.

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Old 01-27-2021, 03:53 AM
hiyabradHO hiyabradHO is offline
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Who has a set of Q4 1970 wires for a 1971 T/A?

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Old 01-27-2021, 11:47 PM
hiyabradHO hiyabradHO is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hiyabradHO View Post
Who has a set of Q4 1970 wires for a 1971 T/A?
My car is a 12/70 build so late Q3 too!

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Old 02-02-2021, 06:37 PM
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Brad, I had 3rd Q 70 wires on it back in the day and they are available from a few sources like Inline Tube and Midway Muscle Cars

https://midwaymusclecar.com/products...trans-am-judge

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