spark plug wire help

[Mark E.]

Re: spark plug wire help

Mark-----


The set that John has will work PERFECTLY in all respects.

Joe,

There's a reason spiral core is the most popular aftermarket cable design for street and strip- it's just a better technology than solid.

I've used solid core cables, including Packard 440, on several cars over the years. They're durable, and unlike OEM type carbon-impregnated resistance wires, solids have virtually zero resistance and don't break down (much) with heat or handling. But like any straight wire with current going through them, they create a strong electric field which induces current in adjacent cables.

That's why virtually every car I've worked on with solid cores suffer from some level of cross firing. Have you noticed how common it is to see a well tuned engine with solid cores miss just slightly while idling? Or see out of synch flashes on your timing light while timing the engine? Cross firing.

Plus solids generate a lot of RFI. This isn't an issue for cars with point ignition systems and no radio. But not advised for the rest of us.

[Mark E.]

Re: spark plug wire help

Mark,

Is there a a Taylor Spiral Pro set that is good-to-go out of the box for a '66 small block Corvette? If so, do you know the Taylor part number?

Gary

Gary,

Every "custom" set of spark plug cables I purchased didn't fit quite right... a few leads end up a bit too long. They work and don't look that out of place, but I favor a "universal" set with the correct angle spark plug boots (90 degrees for a small block) so the length of each cable can be set just right. Proper cable length is more critical with Corvettes since they need to fit within the shielding.

I don't believe spirals come in 7mm, but Taylor's 8mm cable will fit in stock looms. Avoid anything fatter unless you intend to install a custom set of looms. Their black 8mm wires won't pass judging, but look stock to the casual eye.

[Joe L.]

Re: spark plug wire help

Joe,

There's a reason spiral core is the most popular aftermarket cable design for street and strip- it's just a better technology than solid.

I've used solid core cables, including Packard 440, on several cars over the years. They're durable, and unlike OEM type carbon-impregnated resistance wires, solids have virtually zero resistance and don't break down (much) with heat or handling. But like any straight wire with current going through them, they create a strong electric field which induces current in adjacent cables.

That's why virtually every car I've worked on with solid cores suffer from some level of cross firing. Have you noticed how common it is to see a well tuned engine with solid cores miss just slightly while idling? Or see out of synch flashes on your timing light while timing the engine? Cross firing.

Plus solids generate a lot of RFI. This isn't an issue for cars with point ignition systems and no radio. But not advised for the rest of us.

Mark-------


I do not recommend solid core wire such as Packard 440 for ANY Corvette application. The OEM wires that John got for his car are not solid core wires. They are OEM-type wires, "glass interbraid" in GM parlance.

[Mark E.]

Re: spark plug wire help

Mark-------


I do not recommend solid core wire such as Packard 440 for ANY Corvette application. The OEM wires that John got for his car are not solid core wires. They are OEM-type wires, "glass interbraid" in GM parlance.

Joe,

Peace and Happy New Year. And thank you once again for all the help and information you have given me and others on this board. Your parts knowledge is amazing.

[David C.]

Re: spark plug wire help

About 2 or 3 years ago I replaced the original (yes!) dated spark plug wire set on my 1973 small block which was arcing and causing rough running (replaced the problematic original coil too). I installed the K&B Packard glass interbraid wire set with good results. The wire length was very close to my originals and fit well within the shielding and through the looms. The wires are not dated but otherwise look original and the motor runs noticeably better. I did not get an objective measure, ie measure the resistance on these wires.

[Patrick B.]

Re: spark plug wire help

Weren't Packard 440 wires used on L88's with the GM TI ignition?

[Joe L.]

Re: spark plug wire help

Weren't Packard 440 wires used on L88's with the GM TI ignition?

Patrick------

The original L-88 wire set was, at the time, unique to that application. However, I don't think it used solid core wire. The original wire set was GM #6298887 which was replaced by GM #8909665. I don't know much about either of these wire sets. However, the successor to the 8909665 is GM #12043784, aka Delco 508N. This wire set uses glass interbraid type wire. I doubt that GM would have replaced a solid core wire set with a glass interbraid set. If they wanted to stop offering the solid core wire set, they would have just discontinued it.

Also, I think there have been FCC regulations against the use of solid core wire sets for automotive purposes.

[Jim L.]

Re: spark plug wire help

If anyone has a link to the particular part of the FCC Rules and Regulations which ban the use of solid core wires, please forward it to me. I would like to read it for myself. A quick scan of the tables of contents of the R&R didn't turn up anything related to automotive ignition systems.

Full disclosure: I run solid core wires on both my '54 and my '60.

Jim

[Roger W.]

Re: spark plug wire help

Solid core wires also interfere with any nearby radio or TV.