850 ignition leads differences.

[buster850]

Gday, My Australian delivered 1994 859 10 valve recently burnt through a spark plug lead. As the originals are not available here I got some brand new from USA , the Australian delivered leads says Bougicord series C-1 but the USA ones says Bougicord series F. Does any one know if those two series are interchangeable with each other? The dizzy end looks so close to the C-1 but they don’t click into the dizzie like the C-1 you got to wrestle bigtime and even then the click sensation is not as convincing as the C-1, the spark plug end fits no worries at all. Thank in advance.

[scot850]

I think I read recently about someone getting a set of leads that were different than what they were supposed to be, and then there was a conversation about there are 2 different sets. However, I think that was to do with the plug end length not the distributor end.

Neil.

[buster850]

Ok here I go answering my own post.
This morning I took the time to carefully discern the differences between the Bougicord 403 series C-1 and the Bougicord series F. My Volvo 850 is an Australian delivered 1994 non turbo 4door auto ten valve B5252S motor which was fitted at the factory with the 403 series C-1 leads. The difference between the two series is slight but it does matter. On The C-1 leads the brass/copper probe on the dizzy end extends about two to three mm beyond the rubber boot allowing the small clip on the probe to firmly click into the dizzy, it feels like two to three clicks as it goes in and locks in on the third click. On the F series the probe is level to or ever so slightly shorter than the rubber boot so the boot bottoms out before the clip can go beyond a second click, the probe appears ever so slightly smaller circumference than the C -1 but the little locating clip is present and appears very similar to the clip on the C-1 but the probe is definitely shorter so although it fits into the dizzy it doesn’t penetrate as deep as the C-1. So even tho it does a single click I think on a rough road or a lot hole jolt the lead could dislodge.
The F series leads are longer than the C-1 series but we’re talking approx 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches depending which lead.
The C-1 HT lead has a ceramic insulator surrounding the brass/copper probe at either end of the lead down inside the boot however this is not present on the F series lead.
I haven’t put the verniers on both however I would suggest the F series is very slightly small circumference that’s the C-1.

If any one is looking for a set of F series 10 valve leads these are u used brand new Bougicord in original box that you can have for the cost of postage and a beer. Inbox me for more specific details. Located Victoria Australia.