Sparkplug wires
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 466
From: Wichita Kansas
Sparkplug wires
I am seeing mostly wires with elbow boots for the plug ends and what I've got now are the longer straight boots. Which did the '72 sbc come with? I replaced these once and don't imagine I bought anything different than what it had when I got it. Are the ones with the elbow boots ok to use? Thanks
Oh, and what in the world does a $180 set of wires have that a $50 set doesn't, gold or something?
Oh, and what in the world does a $180 set of wires have that a $50 set doesn't, gold or something?
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Should have came with 90 degree ends on the spark plug end. When you come up through the motor mounts on 1 and 3 , and 2 and 4 I can't imagine how you would get straight boots to fit.
I use SMP plug wires. Very affordable and very good quality. Not certain why you need super expensive plug wires. Most are really fat and won't fit in the factory retaining clips.
I use SMP plug wires. Very affordable and very good quality. Not certain why you need super expensive plug wires. Most are really fat and won't fit in the factory retaining clips.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 466
From: Wichita Kansas
Should have came with 90 degree ends on the spark plug end. When you come up through the motor mounts on 1 and 3 , and 2 and 4 I can't imagine how you would get straight boots to fit.
I use SMP plug wires. Very affordable and very good quality. Not certain why you need super expensive plug wires. Most are really fat and won't fit in the factory retaining clips.
I use SMP plug wires. Very affordable and very good quality. Not certain why you need super expensive plug wires. Most are really fat and won't fit in the factory retaining clips.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
If you plan on selling the car anyway, by all means throw those $16 - $29 sets on there. Those sets will get the car down the road a ways.
What does a $180 set have? IDK know about those but anything over $120 has:
Longevity.
Thicker outer insulation.
A better core of strands.
Better terminals at both ends that "click" when installed fully.
Heat resistant boots good for 1200*
No misfires.
Less ohm resistance per foot.
Flexable for routing the wire, instead of cheap stiff units.
8.5mm diameter (fits most looms)
What does a $180 set have? IDK know about those but anything over $120 has:
Longevity.
Thicker outer insulation.
A better core of strands.
Better terminals at both ends that "click" when installed fully.
Heat resistant boots good for 1200*
No misfires.
Less ohm resistance per foot.
Flexable for routing the wire, instead of cheap stiff units.
8.5mm diameter (fits most looms)
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: US-PNW
For those unaware: The small blocks (VIN K or L) should have 90° boots while the big block (VIN W) has 135° boots. The difference in application has to do with the small block wire routing behind the engine and below the exhaust manifolds; big blocks had the wires over the valve covers.
I used Summit-branded 8.5mm wires on my cars, using the 135° boots. So far, after a few years, they've performed well.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-887806
I used Summit-branded 8.5mm wires on my cars, using the 135° boots. So far, after a few years, they've performed well.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-887806
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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however, the OP has now stated he doesn't wish to route his plug wires as per factory on a small block. So everything then changes.Also stated above that 8.5 mm wires will fit many looms.
Perhaps that is true. But they certainly won't fit the stock, or stock replacement clips and looms.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,890
Likes: 4,073
From: US-PNW
however, the OP has now stated he doesn't wish to route his plug wires as per factory on a small block. So everything then changes.Also stated above that 8.5 mm wires will fit many looms.
Perhaps that is true. But they certainly won't fit the stock, or stock replacement clips and looms.
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Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Considering the original wires were approx. 7mm. Yes they would be tight. But ya got it to work.