What are the proper lengths for Spark PLug wires for a '65 Small Block?

The set I currently have on my car, which are supposed to work, are definitely to short. I do not have the spark plug shielding. I do however have the ignition shielding. The plug wires are to short to fit properly with the shielding.

I think they are a set of Moroso Blue Max wires?

I would just like to measure to check. I may need to just reroute the wires before one of them is fried on a manifold.

Thanks
Ryan

 

Ryan,

If no one gets the information you need before tomorrow evening I will post it. I have a brand new set of reproduction wires from LI Corvette I am going to mock up on my car tomorrow. While I have them laid out I can measure the different sizes that come in the set.

Andy B

 

Wire sets made specifically for Corvettes have longer wires than the generic "V8 Chevy" wire sets. You can buy undated repo wire sets for around $30 that are the correct lenght.

 

I can't give you specific lengths by cylinder, but the parts book says 37" to 53" lengths, all covered by their generic 54.5" single replacement wire.

Woops, revision... actually it doesn't give the range of sizes for small block Corvettes, but rather it calls out a 36.25 inch wire to replace any wires up to 36 inches long, and a 54.5 inch wire to replace wires longer than 36 inches and up to 53 inches, those replacements applying to Corvette small blocks from 55 to 70.


[Modified by waynec, 10:19 PM 7/13/2002]

 

I've never seen a set of aftermarket "hot-rod" wires that are made for Corvettes with correct shielding - I think they automatically assume you're going to route the wires over the valve covers, not down around the motormounts like the shielding requires.

On my non-judged project cars, I've always bought a "universal" set of MSD Heli-Core blue 8mm wires and used the enclosed tool to cut them to length, strip them, and crimp on the connectors; that way every wire is exactly the proper length to match whatever loom arrangement you like, looks nice and neat. Pic of one below:

 

I have considered purchasing a "universal" set that I could just make my plug wires the length I want, so I could route them better.

At Bloomington this year, I looked at a plug set from a vendor that was a repro set. Included in the package was a list of the cylinders and the coresponding length of the plug wire. I guess I should have bought them while I was there.

I may just Route them over the Valve covers. I'm not worried about factory correct and I don't have the spark plug shielding, so I guess it really doesn't matter.

If someone does get the proper wire lengths, I would still like to know for future reference.

Thanks
Ryan

 

I bought a set of 8.5mm MSD wires that were supposed to be the correct length for going under the manifolds. Had to go back and have two (#1 & #2) of the wires made a few inches longer to actually reach the plugs. I agree, mock 'em up or go over the valve covers. :cool:

 

When I opened the package it had this piece of paper in it, they are made by a company called Lectric Limited. I hope it will be of some help.
Andy B

 

I think I have an old (but never-used) set of Belden midyear small block wires in the garage somewhere, but I was unsuccessful in finding them in a short search today, it'll take some serious digging to find them, I'm afraid.

What I did find was an 8mm Delco #608T wire set that I had marked as Corvette wires... except that they are black, but stamped Delco 8mm on each, and have non-HEI style distributor connectors (no protrusions for the HEI plastic lock atop the distributor). The package had been previously opened, but there were 8 wires inside. I'm pretty certain I purchased these back in the mid to late 70's. I have it in my mind that the stock '75 Covette HEI wires back then were light grey, so did Delco ever make 8mm replacement wire sets for midyears or early Sharks? But even so, I think the mid-seventies HEI wire routing is almost identical to earlier Vettes.

Anyway, for what it's worth (or not worth), a measurement center-of-connector to center-of-connector on those8mm wires shows:

21.5"
26"
2@ 28"
43.5"
47.5"
55"
55.5"

Update: Joe Lucia (in reply to my question on NCRS discussion board) tells me the Delco 608T wires I have are for 75 to 77 Corvettes, so the above info is probably not real useful in this discussion. Sorry.


[Modified by waynec, 12:03 PM 7/14/2002]

 

57-74 corvettes

 

stivo, We would like to welcome you to the CF, but you posted to a 21 yr old thread. I'm sure the original poster has had it resolved by now. Dennis

 

New and useful information to me! Thanks Stivo!

 

Very helpful 21 years later!

 

I think 21 years might be the record.

 

Just the info I was looking for!

 

I would terminate my own. They turn out better

 

I used to buy universal solid core sets and feed them thru the big block braiding. Much cheaper! Another trick is using a solid core coil wire.

 

Why is everyone picking on this being an old post ? Y'all obviously read it anyway. There is much info on this forum and reviving old subjects helps newer hobbyists share info.