The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

[Jean C.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

My '64 327/300 runs noticeably better after I deep sixed the LL wires and went with Petronix. If I ever have the car judged again, it will still have the Petronix wires on it.
Best regards,

[Stuart F.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

I am curious; in reading posts that mention Packard 440 wires (wires of choice back in the day as well), I don't see anyone complain about the radio interference. I always assumed that even with shields in place, there would still be some noise with any solid core wires.

Any experience with this situation?

Stu Fox

[Michael H.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

I am curious; in reading posts that mention Packard 440 wires (wires of choice back in the day as well), I don't see anyone complain about the radio interference. I always assumed that even with shields in place, there would still be some noise with any solid core wires.

Any experience with this situation?

Stu Fox

When I was 17 and went to pick up my girlfriend in my FI 57 Chevy with Packard 440 wires, her father said he would always know when I was about 1/2 block from their house because his TV would "go all funny"!

Betcha this will generate some negative responses. How about the fact that solid core 440 wires may actually result in slightly LESS horsepower than a good set of carbon wires!

[Gene M.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

[QUOTE=Michael Hanson (4067);
Betcha this will generate some negative responses. How about the fact that solid core 440 wires may actually result in slightly LESS horsepower than a good set of carbon wires! [/QUOTE]

OK, I'll bite why would 440's be less?
I have 440's in my 68 and can not use the remote garage door opener when it's running. Radio is very static except when I turn car off.

[Stuart F.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

Michael;

I seem to recall similar complaints with my 56 post w/ 58 Fuelie engine, only it was my Father who noted the TV interference. He, being a Radio Hamm, was bound and determined to filter it out on our TV. I guess he found a way to minimize it, at least to the uneducated eye. Our neighbors never seemed to complain about that so much as my returns home late at night. We lived below a two block long hill and I enjoyed rpm matching into first at the top of the hill, accelerating, then backing off with my glass paks blarring. They were real window rattlers at 6500 rpm.

The other thing about Packard 440 wiring was their propensity to leak when oil soaked, which was a common situation back when we hot set our valves with the engines running (even w/clips). You could open the hood in the dark of night and watch a real light show, and get set on your butt too.

Stu Fox

[Larry M.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

I am curious; in reading posts that mention Packard 440 wires (wires of choice back in the day as well), I don't see anyone complain about the radio interference. I always assumed that even with shields in place, there would still be some noise with any solid core wires.

Any experience with this situation?

Stu Fox

Stu:

For me personally, the 440 wire is no issue since my car has sidepipes. Radio is useless (can't be heard) when 327/350 HP engine is running.

All is okay when engine is off.

Seriously, the interference issue is real, but when I was younger I never minded it one bit. My cars were always built for most horsepower and best performance and the radio was secondary. So you overlook some of these issues.

Larry

[Kenneth S.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

"Betcha this will generate some negative responses. How about the fact that solid core 440 wires may actually result in slightly LESS horsepower than a good set of carbon wires! "

Michael, I found just the opposite. It felt like I gained 10-HP with solid core wires.

By the way, I found the type font "Blue Highway" was a perfect match for the Packard wires.

Ken

[Tom R.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

I'd like to see these.

the repos have carbon cores and one or two plug wire removals from the plugs and the wire won't conduct electricity as they should. i use Packard 440 steel core wires, make them up myself using the LL boots and terminals. then get a stamp made locally to pass judging.mike

[Harmon C.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

The deduction for L L wires may be for the size or spaceing of the lettering. I have some original wires and the total length of the wording is not the same as original 73 wires I had. Their could be more than one original vendor also.The lettering could be correct for other years you will need to compare them.

[Jim R.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

On my second set in 20 years (no problems) 65 365hp

[William C.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

I can assure you that originally there was only one vendor "in the day" for the patented TVRS Plug wires, the old Packard Electric division of GM, now a part of Delphi. There were however several lines running the wire at the same time and minor variations in priinting were possible as the print wheel vendors were not given an engineering drawing to work from, just a wheel size and print size along with a distance from the start of one sequence to the start of the next sequence. They were purchased be Manufacturing with NO incoming inspection other than to verify they printed the correct quarter. That said, the Ignition business was sold by Delphi to an outside outfit a while back and I have NO idea where or of what quality the repro vendors are obtaining the current stock. The technology of the cable has changed dramatically since the early 70's and the current technology should make the reproductions more reliable than originals, but the real secrets are in the application of the terminals to the cable.

[Erv M.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

Problems with the LL wires are not exculsive to the Miid-Years. Have a 69 and wires are a problem. During low idle I experience the skip issue someone mentioned before.

Seems it is the luck of the draw or problem created during installation that creates a satisfied user or not. Wouldn't be all that bad if all the shielding wasn't there to present difficulty in changing the wires.

I do like the thought of creating your own set and applying the stamp for judging reasons.

[Bruce W.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

Mike, was reading your comment on wires. can you tell me if I need two stamps mage? one for GM stamping and one for TVRS. Also what size font do you use?. don't know what kind of wires I have but I foul plugs after two runs up to 6,000RPM. All other components have been checked out and are good. Thanks for your help. Bruce Wilcox

[Bill L.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

I bought a set of LL wires for my 66 Big Block well over ten years ago and have never had a problem --- but then again there is not much to hooking up those wires to the plugs -- no bending etc. I do have to admit that the 440 wire and stamp process to build your own is intriguing.

[Bill L.]

Re: The dreaded Lectric Limited plug wires

I bought a set of LL wires for my 66 Big Block well over ten years ago and have never had a problem --- but then again there is not much to hooking up those wires to the plugs -- no bending etc. I do have to admit that the 440 wire and stamp process to build your own is intriguing.