HT Lead question

["jamesrguk" <James_rg@xxxx>]

Hi all, 

I have just replaced my distributor cap and rotor and my HT leads. I 
got them from a local motor store, so called `performance Hot-Wire HT 
leads'. 
Anyway the chap in the shop recognised that the engine was Renault 30 
when I said it was a DeLorean which I found quite surprising and sure 
enough in his book he had a list of all the correct length leads 
required for the engine. 

I had the originals with me to compare and they were correct, however 
when he showed me the `coil wire' it did not look the same as the 
original. The original coil wire has a sort of braided stainless 
steel sheath running from the coil end about 4 inches along the lead. 
This then has a wire that seems to earth onto the rear of the intake 
manifold. The one the chap in the shop showed me was just the same as 
the other HT leads.

So what is the significance of the braid and earth wire on the 
original coil wire? I assume it is still required.

Has anyone else found this to be a problem when replacing the leads?

Regards


James RG