Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

[Gerard F.]

Thanks Duke/Clem

Last week I did this post:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?p=355310&uid=1692

So with the new plugs in I thought I'd do a few days of driving around town, and was preparing to dive into the valve seals. But I thought I'd check out the plug, and plug wire first.

The new plug in the #3 was wet. And I thought my ohmmeter was on the fritz as I couldn't get an ohm reading on the #3 wire. Found that it worked on the #8 plug wire, 15-16,000 ohms for the 48" wire. Then I noted a physical cut in the boot on #3.

So it looks like a new set of plug wires are in order. Got a set of those correct Lectric Limited ones, preohm tested, but a little late in the day to start putting them on.

Surprisingly she still idles but a little rough, and I only feel the miss once in a while on accelleration. No wonder I only got 16 mpg going to the San Jose Chapter meet.

[Bob J.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

Jerry, be VERY gentile installing those LL wires,they're very fragile compared to Delco wires. Probably wouldm't be a bad idea to ohm the new ones once they're installed. Good luck, Bob
PS how come you didn't sign off "having fun"?

[Gerard F.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

Bob,

Had a shop change the plug wires many years ago on my 67 small block with some real good ones that are now going bad.

Here's a question: If you had ignition shielding, did they still use the plug wire clips/bracket shown in the AIM 6-B3. I think they are the clips and brackets called out in the Paragon catalog as 915K and 916. Are there any other clips used with the shielding.

Having fun, and I really want to do this right.

[Dennis C.]

Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

My experience in the past with LL plug wires - good for show, but not for go. Drove my car quite a bit back and forth across the country. Got home one time, car running badly, 5 of 8 wires no good. That was enough of the expensive wires that don't work for me.

As an additional aside, I bought a '70 with original GM OEM wires in about '95 - They still were working fine. Quite a difference, I'd say... I'll take the deduct if I have it judged. Dennis

[David K.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

Well, this may have answered my question. I now have 280 miles on my motor and I have the dated LL wires. I just noticed tonight, an occasional spark miss. I am ready to look things over and pull the plugs, but it sounds as if the new wires, just may be suspect. Figures..... What wires do you recommend? I want to go, not worried about points.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

My experience in the past with LL plug wires - good for show, but not for go. Drove my car quite a bit back and forth across the country. Got home one time, car running badly, 5 of 8 wires no good. That was enough of the expensive wires that don't work for me.

As an additional aside, I bought a '70 with original GM OEM wires in about '95 - They still were working fine. Quite a difference, I'd say... I'll take the deduct if I have it judged. Dennis

to save your wires buy a good "boot puller" at the auto parts so you do not pull on the wires

[Dennis C.]

Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

David - I returned to the womb and started buying steel core plug wires, - Carquest (or others) for a fraction of the cost of "Judging Wires". Have never had a failure since. They look pretty much like OEM, less the ink printing stuff. Works for me. I realize there are high performance plug wires out there that will not fail, but they usually don't look OEM and cost too much. I don't mind laying out the frogskins for LL stuff (or other), but the stuff needs to work... Hate to be picky, but, hey...

[John D.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

David - I returned to the womb and started buying steel core plug wires, - Carquest (or others) for a fraction of the cost of "Judging Wires". Have never had a failure since. They look pretty much like OEM, less the ink printing stuff. Works for me. I realize there are high performance plug wires out there that will not fail, but they usually don't look OEM and cost too much. I don't mind laying out the frogskins for LL stuff (or other), but the stuff needs to work... Hate to be picky, but, hey...

Dennis, What is the part number on the Carquest wires please. John D.

[Dennis C.]

Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

JDG, Back to you tomorrow on the PN... DC

[Joe L.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

David - I returned to the womb and started buying steel core plug wires, - Carquest (or others) for a fraction of the cost of "Judging Wires". Have never had a failure since. They look pretty much like OEM, less the ink printing stuff. Works for me. I realize there are high performance plug wires out there that will not fail, but they usually don't look OEM and cost too much. I don't mind laying out the frogskins for LL stuff (or other), but the stuff needs to work... Hate to be picky, but, hey...

Dennis-----


Like I've said time and again, FUNCTIONALITY trumps ORIGINALITY for me. Absolutely. Positively. Period.

I might think differently if I was focused on "trailer queen" type cars. But, I'm not. And, I never will be.

[Joe L.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

Bob,

Had a shop change the plug wires many years ago on my 67 small block with some real good ones that are now going bad.

Here's a question: If you had ignition shielding, did they still use the plug wire clips/bracket shown in the AIM 6-B3. I think they are the clips and brackets called out in the Paragon catalog as 915K and 916. Are there any other clips used with the shielding.

Having fun, and I really want to do this right.

Jerry----


Yes, the brackets and clips were still used with U-69 installations and associated shielding.

Also, I agree with the others. Personally, I would not use the "reproduction" wires for driving. I would use a Delco or other wire set with PRE-INSTALLED terminals on both ends.

[David K.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

Gosh, I am guilty and I should know. Do the Delco or other wire brands come in the correct lenghts? I hate it when I see wires snaking around like a river all over everything. Thankfully Dennis, you can get the wires in a nearly correct color. I also hate to see yellow wires as much as I do blue gasket sealer. JMHO

[Clem Z.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

Gosh, I am guilty and I should know. Do the Delco or other wire brands come in the correct lenghts? I hate it when I see wires snaking around like a river all over everything. Thankfully Dennis, you can get the wires in a nearly correct color. I also hate to see yellow wires as much as I do blue gasket sealer. JMHO

you can get wires where they need to be cut to length and the distributor end terminals installed

[Bob J.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

Bob,

Had a shop change the plug wires many years ago on my 67 small block with some real good ones that are now going bad.

Here's a question: If you had ignition shielding, did they still use the plug wire clips/bracket shown in the AIM 6-B3. I think they are the clips and brackets called out in the Paragon catalog as 915K and 916. Are there any other clips used with the shielding.

Having fun, and I really want to do this right.

Hi Jerry
Yes, all small block cars would use the clips on the pan rail (915K) and the seperator clips (916).
Have some fun,Bob

[Stephen L.]

Re: Update on Spark Plugs-what's wrong here

My personal rule of thumb for plug wire resistance is about 1000 ohms/ft of wire. Values above 2000 ohms/ft are very questionable........