Spark Plug Wire Loom - Tube Style

[Conserv]

Recent threads on spark plug wires and their routing reminded me, once again, that we don't have a clear picture of when the factory tube-style loom might have been installed.  Admittedly, we might not be able to develop a clear picture because: (1.) the application of the tube-style loom was irregular, or (2.) we cannot collect sufficient data to document a regular application of the tube-style loom.

 

But before we give up on developing a clear picture, can we give it a shot?  We're looking for (a.) '02's that have what appears to be the factory '02 loom, and (b.) the VIN or manufacturing date of all such cars.  First let's look at the part itself, as it appears in the parts schematic:

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=2215-USA-04-1976-114-BMW-2002&diagId=12_0922

 

It, of course, is part number 6 in the schematic (BMW part number 12121355246).  Beyond the holes in either end, it appears to have four smaller holes for individual spark plug wires.  Importantly, it is attached to the valve cover by three brackets: "Pipe clamps", part numbers 4 and 5 in the schematic (BMW parts number 12121355291 and 12121355292, respectively).  Note that the application requires one part number 4, which is slightly longer than the two parts number 5.  Thus, there are three brackets, the long bracket mounting at the forward edge of the valve cover, where it is narrower in width and thus a longer reach for the bracket.

 

The three photos below show examples of the factory '02 loom.  The first example (photos 1. and 2.), is on VIN 2360598, manufactured September 1974 (a very early 1975 model).  The second example is EuroTech's 1975, VIN 236xxxx, manufactured May 1975 (EDIT: thank you, EuroTech).

 

The Kingsborne loom is shorter, and is secured with two brackets.

 

What have you got?

 

Thank and best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2017 by Conserv

[Conserv]

I believe the attached to be the Kingsborne wire loom.  It is shorter and secured by only two brackets.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[halboyles]

Steve,  the Parts Manual is, as usual, a muddying experience.  Even in the 1977 version I am using below, it shows the tube was discontinued and only used on US cars sometime in '75????

[EuroTech]

Steve, I’ve been curious as to the wire tube loom, since I haven’t seen it on very many 02s on the boards I was wondering the origin of it as the old threads don’t seem clear on it. Happy to see this post! As for my 1975 USA Delivered 2002, it does have the vin 236XXXX... The records from BMW archive as well as my door jam sticker which is still in place and legible reads manufactured May 12th 1975.. delivered BMW N.A - June 6 1975 with the original paint code 079 - mintgrün.... not to get off track but in the above picture of the September 1974 2002 does it not come equipped with a thermal reactor being build in 1974? Or being a ‘75 model year it originally had it and removed? Also does this information we have now help us to determine a year range for the factory spark plug loom tube?


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[Simeon]

Could the tubes be a reaction to the use of the thermal reactor as a means of protecting the plug wires from the heat?

 

Might explain why they seem sporadic in fitment? Is anyone claiming that they have been installed to euro cars that wouldn't have had the later emissions set up?

[Conserv]

10 hours ago, halboyles said:

Steve,  the Parts Manual is, as usual, a muddying experience.  Even in the 1977 version I am using below, it shows the tube was discontinued and only used on US cars sometime in '75????

 

And maybe that is the answer: some US 1975 models.... ?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited November 22, 2017 by Conserv

[Conserv]

1 hour ago, Simeon said:

Could the tubes be a reaction to the use of the thermal reactor as a means of protecting the plug wires from the heat?

 

Might explain why they seem sporadic in fitment? Is anyone claiming that they have been installed to euro cars that wouldn't have had the later emissions set up?

 

Excellent idea, Simeon.  I, too, have considered that — and certainly haven’t rejected that idea.  The California-only 1976 models had the thermal reactors and, although they don’t appear to display the tube-style looms, perhaps BMW realized the looms were....overkill...and phased them out?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Edited November 22, 2017 by Conserv

[Conserv]

On 11/21/2017 at 9:01 PM, EuroTech said:

Steve, I’ve been curious as to the wire tube loom, since I haven’t seen it on very many 02s on the boards I was wondering the origin of it as the old threads don’t seem clear on it. Happy to see this post! As for my 1975 USA Delivered 2002, it does have the vin 236XXXX... The records from BMW archive as well as my door jam sticker which is still in place and legible reads manufactured May 12th 1975.. delivered BMW N.A - June 6 1975 with the original paint code 079 - mintgrün.... not to get off track but in the above picture of the September 1974 2002 does it not come equipped with a thermal reactor being build in 1974? Or being a ‘75 model year it originally had it and removed? Also does this information we have now help us to determine a year range for the factory spark plug loom tube?


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Thanks!

 

I’d confident that the Sahara September 1974 example, like the majority of thermal reactor cars, has lost its original manifold. Besides the thermal reactor, it appears to be missing the air pump (and, in lieu of the car’s original steel heat shield, its wearing an “e21 style” exhaust manifold gasket, which incorporates a heat shield — I think).

When a manufacturer identifies a car as a 1975 model, regardless of production date, it must comply with the U.S. Federal standards for the 1975 model year.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

[Mike Self]

I know for sure they were never used on roundies; I always figured its use began with squarelights and the '74 model year, but perhaps not until 1975.  

 

Has anyone checked sales literature by year to see what those pictures show?  When the '74s came out, the factory couldn't use the previous years' car pictures (like they did in 1972 and '73) in the sales brochures because there were so many changes, so a '74 sales catalog will have all 1974 cars in it...

 

mike 

[yeewiz]

my 74, born May 9, 1974, did not have thermal reactor

[PaulTWinterton]

I know Stephers here on the board was a tech in a dealership during those years.  Maybe he has a definitive answer.

[Conserv]

8 hours ago, mike said:

 

.....Has anyone checked sales literature by year to see what those pictures show?  When the '74s came out, the factory couldn't use the previous years' car pictures (like they did in 1972 and '73) in the sales brochures because there were so many changes, so a '74 sales catalog will have all 1974 cars in it...

 

mike 

 

I have, Mike, and the square taillight literature is light on engine details.  The 1975 and 1976 U.S. models shared a pair of brochures — a full-length version (Sienabraun car on the cover) and an abbreviated version (solid red cover) — making minor updates to reflect the changes over those two years.  The brochures for the 1975 model year show a thermal reactor-equipped engine (first photo).  It does not have the tube-style wire loom.  The brochures for the 1976 model year show a 49-state version engine, without the thermal reactor and with the aluminum exhaust manifold heat shield (second photo).  It also does not have the tube-style loom, but few details of the plug wires are visible due to cropping of the photo.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Edited November 23, 2017 by Conserv

[Conserv]

Another sighting of an original tube-style wire loom:

 

A 1975 2002A out of Mott, North Dakota listed on eBay, currently white but perhaps originally Polaris metallic.  Listing closed on November 29, 2017.  I have been, thus far, unable to obtain the VIN.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited December 5, 2017 by Conserv