Hi guys,
I would like to order a set od repro plug wires from a source recommended through a team chevelle member. Question: My engine 396 engine build date from Tonowanda is 3/4/66. One plug wire set is dated through the end of February. The next set starts March 1st. It seems as though the February dated ones would be correct in that the engine was assembled so early in March. While these dated wires may seem trivial to some members, I must say that most everything on the car is original (including stock ignition) and correctly dated. I realize that in any car the plug wires would have been changed probably several times over the years, but the thought of obtaining dated Packard radio resistance wires for my restoration interests me. Would some of you do me the kindness of some advice. You have helped me in so many areas so far. This is a fantastic site - The BEST! I'm not adhering to strict show regulations but enjoy the dating game and showing the car now and then!
Thanks again fot the help
Doug

Personally, I would get the ones that are dated through February. It would seem the best way to go.

It's been a while since I looked at these wires Doug, but do they not come saying "Q1" or "Q2" or "Q3" or "Q4" then the year? EG - Q1 would be first quarter of that year (Jan-Mar). If my assumption is correct, then I would suggest you buy a set that says "Q4 1967" or possibly "Q1 1968". Most of the suppliers years ago used to suggest you order a set that was 3-4 months earlier than your build date which would again lead me to suggest "Q4 1967".

Perhaps they have expanded the dates a little more since then. I'm sure there are others on here who have ordered these recently and can provide a little better input. Good luck.

The way I understood it is:

August thru Feb built cars get 3-Q,

and March thru July built cars get 1-Q

I just ordered 1-Q-69 for my May built 69

I was just looking at npd book and it shows September - Febuary = 3rd quarter and March - August is the second quarter. I'm not sure what one would be correct.

When I ordered for My Dec 65 built 66... the indication was to order
3 Q 65, but...I also thought it referenced 12 months divided by 4's which would lead me to believe Jan-April =1Q, May-August=2Q, Sept-Dec= 3Q... all based the corresponding cars build date year.
It was a couple years ago... so as Roger Clemens said " I could be mis-remembering":D

Two different date coded spark plug wire sets were used for Chevelle V8 engines. Early models (approximately August, 1965 to February, 1966) were coded 3-Q-65 and late models (after February, 1966) were coded 1-Q-66 representing 3rd quarter, 1965 and 1st quarter, 1966.