Correct spark plug wires

[Roger D.]

Getting ready to order plug wires and see that some vendors want to know what quarter do i want on the wires. Car build is c-04 of 68 . Car is a 69 base model.thank you

[Terry M.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

Getting ready to order plug wires and see that some vendors want to know what quarter do i want on the wires. Car build is c-04 of 68 . Car is a 69 base model.thank you

You need dated spark plug wires only if you intend to have your car judged at either an NCRS event or at Bloomington Gold. Undated AC Delco wires are available from your FLAPS or on-line and are perfectly functional. The colors of the spark plug boots and configuration of them may be different than original, but in some cases so are the reproduction spark plug wires.

Dated spark plug wires in reproduction are only available for the odd numbered quarters -- e.i. 1-Q-xx and 3-Q-xx. Pay no attention to the people who make a big deal of the lack of dashes. Some wires had a dash as I have typed and some didn't.

It is highly unlikely that your original spark plug wires were all dated in one quarter. Your car probably had a mix of 3-Q-68 and 4-Q-68, but since only 3-Q-68 is available that is what you will have to settle for. For those of us who judge engine compartment when we see all the dates on a wire set the same the repro red flag goes up.

[Gary H.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

I went through two sets of dated repro wires that had issues with arcing before I put on a set of GM service wires from the early 80s. No more problems. Same deduction in judging, possibly slightly better as they have the correct boot and braid, just dont have a date.

[Jerry B.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

Did the 68/69 small block spark plug wires have red or bkack boots?

[Lawrence M.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

68/69 small block had black boots on both ends of the wire.

[Roger D.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

You need dated spark plug wires only if you intend to have your car judged at either an NCRS event or at Bloomington Gold. Undated AC Delco wires are available from your FLAPS or on-line and are perfectly functional. The colors of the spark plug boots and configuration of them may be different than original, but in some cases so are the reproduction spark plug wires.Dated spark plug wires in reproduction are only available for the odd numbered quarters -- e.i. 1-Q-xx and 3-Q-xx. Pay no attention to the people who make a big deal of the lack of dashes. Some wires had a dash as I have typed and some didn't.It is highly unlikely that your original spark plug wires were all dated in one quarter. Your car probably had a mix of 3-Q-68 and 4-Q-68, but since only 3-Q-68 is available that is what you will have to settle for. For those of us who judge engine compartment when we see all the dates on a wire set the same the repro red flag goes up.

Its not the first time that I have heard of people having trouble with the correct dated repro wires. That stinks, they look right but don't work.

[William C.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

Secondary Ignition was a science all to itself at Packard electric, and Packard supplied ALL the Sparkplug wires to GM from when I started in 1963 to well past my retirement. I got to know some of the original designers when I was working and they were a very interesting (and small) group with a focus on the specifics of Secondary ignition wiring and it's oddities. Doubtful that any of the reproduction outfits have the in-house technology to duplicate the OEM specifics.

[Mark D.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

A set of old service replacement wires, mated to a set of repop dated wires (Big Block) will get zero deductions because they will be dated and have correct boots and braiding. They may not function worth a poop, but...

Kramden

[William C.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

How would you propose to perform this "Mating"?

[Harry S.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

If you can find a spool of wire from the 60's buy it. Forget the cost just buy it. Build a set of wires and you will be very happy. That old wire just doesn't fail.

[William C.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

Remember the TVRS wiring requires the use of a "Staple" driven into the conductor approximately 3/4 of an inch and the folded back against the outer insulation for the Terminal that connects to the Sparkplug to the cable, and a similar configuration is used on the distributor end. This is NOT a do-it- yourself project if you expect to drive the car farther than on and off the trailer, and only a very few times. Also remember that the wires available today are significantly different than the 1950'-60's versions. This is not a trivial difference.

[Mark D.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

It's easy...send them to Jay Stahl. Personally, I buy the service set, then buy the repop set. Put them together and send them to Jay. I then go fly a trip for American and when I get home, Jay has sent the combined set back to me all mated together.

That's how I propose doing it although, you may not be able to fly the trip for American Airlines.

[Joe R.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

That's how I propose doing it although, you may not be able to fly the trip for American Airlines.[/QUOTE]

Aw shucks!!!!!! I wuz looking forward to flying a big plane like AA has!!!!

JR


PS. What these old boys are trying to say is get yourself a set of Lectric Limited wires cause they look purty but you might not be able to back it off the trailer but once!!!!

[Timothy B.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

I changed the wires on my 67 and used the NAPA Beldon premium set. The wires are 7mm and very well made, the resistance is approx. 3000ohm/ft.

Harry, I have a old spool of 7mm wire, are you saying this wire does not go bad sitting ini the spool, I was going to throw it away.

[Roger D.]

Re: Correct spark plug wires

Secondary Ignition was a science all to itself at Packard electric, and Packard supplied ALL the Sparkplug wires to GM from when I started in 1963 to well past my retirement. I got to know some of the original designers when I was working and they were a very interesting (and small) group with a focus on the specifics of Secondary ignition wiring and it's oddities. Doubtful that any of the reproduction outfits have the in-house technology to duplicate the OEM specifics.

So if I review most of the comments it appears that the repro wires have the proper markings they do not perform . Let me ask this then, what would be a good set of wires that are black with the black boots (SB) and where do I get them. Basically sacrifice the NCRS points to have a better running car.