Old-Style Wire For Antique Engines

Old-Style Wire For Antique Engines TRACTORS Antiques 24-4-38 The perfect final touch for that restored tractor, truck or stationary engine is wiring that fits the era in which the machine was made, says Bill Lopoulos, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Lopoulos, a computer engineer who grew up on a Massachusetts dairy farm, has a sideline business that provides the right wiring for restoration work. He's contracted with an automotive wire maker that was established in the 1920's to make wire that has the look and feel of wire from the past. "They use modern copper wire on the inside, but wrap it in the colored cotton fabric braid just like they've done since the æ20's," he says. A clear polymer (non-conducting) coating completes the look. "There are places to get wire with the original rubber, but it doesn't last any better than the old wire. This is the best of both worlds, since it has the old look finish and patterns, but will last as long as modern wiring," Lopoulos says. When Lopoulos orders wire, he orders it in all sizes, so you can redo the entire machine with matching wire, including the spark plug and coil wires. The most common color he sells is oak (orange), with a pattern of black and/or red threads (called tracers) woven through it. "We can get just about any pattern of tracers you might want in the covering. I've just ordered one that is 50-50 yellow and green. I should have it in stock in 3-4 weeks. No tractor company ever used wire like that, but it looks good on a restored Deere tractor," Lopoulos says. Wire can be purchased by the foot or in 100 ft. rolls. He can order wire to your own specifications, as well, but notes that lead time for special orders can be from a few weeks to several months. Lopoulos also sells period spark plugs and magneto parts. Check out everything he has to offer on his Internet page, or write him for a free catalog. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bill Lopoulos, Magneto Parts, 304 Pondview Place, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts 01879. (ph 978 649-7879; Website: www.magnetoparts.com; E-mail: blopoulos@aol.com)

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