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Spark Plug Wire Issue...

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Old 05-18-2009, 10:34 PM
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Car: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28
Engine: TPI 310ci (LB9)
Transmission: Custom Rebuilt 700R4 - 2600 Stall
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.73 Eaton Limited-Slip
Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Hey guys,

My accel spark plug wires are touching the AIR tubes coming from my edelbrock headers. They get really hot but my mechanic had the bright idea of putting plastic around them so they dont touch it... Now they all melted the plastic and the wires are all messed up...

Heres my first issue: i would like to know a good way to keep my wires away from the headers... I have wire looms but they are up at the valve covers... and the wires arent long enough to re-route them outside the headers.. ny thoughts?

2nd issue: which wires are the best for my performance 305? I was thinking accel again but if there is a better one out there maybe they are better? Like MSDs? Also, if they are touching the hot headers or heads (some of them are actually caught in between the AIR tubes AND the heads which is like sandwiching them in the hotness!) will it misfire?

I bought accel 4070A by accident and they dont fit right and dont like the other accel ones i already had on the car... different lengths, two out of 8 have straight boots, not 90 degree ones..

im totally confused!

Thanks in advance!
-Marc
Old 05-18-2009, 10:50 PM
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Car: 89 Firebird Formula
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

well you could try these.. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Old 05-19-2009, 05:31 AM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Get universal ones and cut them to size. That's the absolute best way to get new wires to go exactly where you want them to go. Custom sets suck.
Old 05-19-2009, 11:08 AM
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Car: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28
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Transmission: Custom Rebuilt 700R4 - 2600 Stall
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Originally Posted by firebirdman
How do these fit over the wires? Would i have to cut anything or do they just slide right over them?

Thanks!
-Marc
Old 05-19-2009, 03:26 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Originally Posted by hellz_wings
How do these fit over the wires? Would i have to cut anything or do they just slide right over them?

Thanks!
-Marc
My guess is that you cut them to length. Then slide them over the boots and onto the wire. You accomplish this by "compressing" the sleeve which should open up the ID so that it can slip over the boots. When you stretch the sleeve back out, the ID will close up again.

To keep then ends from fraying, you can shrink some heat shrink tube over the ends of the sleeve.
Old 05-19-2009, 05:15 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Yes i would agree. I have never used them so I dont know for sure.
Old 05-20-2009, 02:44 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

A universal kit is easy to get all set up. I bought MSD 8mm wires and it included all the parts needed to do it. My last set of wires were supposedly a proper fit from an auto parts store and, well, turns out they were touching the manifold and I melted three of them after a WOT session.

I'm running 90 degree boots, stock exhaust manifolds.. They are long enough to go completely around all the AIR stuff.
Old 07-26-2009, 12:32 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Do the universal sets from MSD come with a coil to cap wire? The catalogue doesn't say.
Old 07-26-2009, 01:28 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

yes.
Old 07-26-2009, 01:38 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Try a set of under header wires. I have a set of SCOTT wires. http://www.scottperformance.com
Old 07-26-2009, 02:00 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

You can always trim down any wires you have, you just need a pair of pliers. I had to trim my specific-fit Accel wires. It is easy to trim them, or "build them" if you're using universal fit. Plug them in at the heads and route them to the distributor. Then trim it at the distributor end. You have to cut the outside rubber and fiberglass and leave about 1/2inch of the wire exposed and bend it back and slide the contact over the bent back wire and then clamp down the contact. Always leave a bit of slack so you can adjust timing in the future. As far as the wires touching the air tubes, you can use sleeve boots....
Old 07-26-2009, 03:06 PM
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Re: Spark Plug Wire Issue...

Yes, the MSD's come with the coil wire. I also run the Edelbrock TES, and I run 90* boots on 1-3-5-6-7-8 cylinders and straight boots on 2 & 4 because of pipe config. I also put Thermo-Sleve on the 6 & 8 wires in case they touch. This really works well for me.
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