What plug wires to use with headers?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
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From: Hebron IN
What plug wires to use with headers?
Only 2 years since I installed new ignition wires and I have a fireworks show under my hood (lousy Parts America junk).
Recently I installed headers on my '75 and the factory length wires that snake through the motor mounts and connect from underneath are now overkill. The wires can now go on easily right from the top.
Any recommendations on a good set of wires that can take the heat from the headers and last more than 2 years/20K miles?
Would it be best to just buy a kit and cut to lenghth or is there a model of car that I could mention that would have a better fit (any early Vettes come stock with headers?).
Thanks for reading,
George
Recently I installed headers on my '75 and the factory length wires that snake through the motor mounts and connect from underneath are now overkill. The wires can now go on easily right from the top.
Any recommendations on a good set of wires that can take the heat from the headers and last more than 2 years/20K miles?
Would it be best to just buy a kit and cut to lenghth or is there a model of car that I could mention that would have a better fit (any early Vettes come stock with headers?).
Thanks for reading,
George
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
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From: colorado springs CO
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (vairxpert)
accel plugs last quite a long time..
get a universal "build yer own" kit for ~25 bux.
[Modified by daily_driver, 8:51 PM 11/4/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (vairxpert)
I have run Moroso Blue Max for about 4 years now. Not to many miles but they are still in good shape. I made my own length wires and ran them in a different route than stock. Got my own wire seperators and did it how I wanted. Sorry no dig. camera for a pic
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (vairxpert)
I just ordered a set of ceramic plug wires from Jacobs last Thursday, about $190. My 2.125" headers have no clearance on some of the boots and would fry them. The Moroso boot shields are expensive, $35 per pair, and made removing the boots from the plug a real pain. At $50-$60 a set for Moroso wires for brief service was a pretty expensive and high hassle way to go. "Doc" at Jacobs told me their wires have a life time guarantee, even if brutalized. He brought up Lorna Bobbit (sp?) as an example. Boots are rated at 2000 degrees.
I didn't go through plug wires very often on my small block. Even at 20,000 miles per set from Moroso or Accel, the Jacobs would be hard to justify. But if it is a problem the Jacobs may be a good choice. Too often it is easier to just pay large sums of money to solve a ploblem. Frequently this approach gives less than the desired or promised results. But Jacobs does have a very good reputation. Even so, for the price, they had better work!
Chuck
Chuck
I didn't go through plug wires very often on my small block. Even at 20,000 miles per set from Moroso or Accel, the Jacobs would be hard to justify. But if it is a problem the Jacobs may be a good choice. Too often it is easier to just pay large sums of money to solve a ploblem. Frequently this approach gives less than the desired or promised results. But Jacobs does have a very good reputation. Even so, for the price, they had better work!
Chuck
Chuck
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 231
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From: Burlington NC
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (vairxpert)
I also used wires from Parts America, lasted about 10 miles before I had 6 of 8 on fire. Except it's not lousy Parts America junk, it's "you get what you pay for", buy a $20 wire set you get a $20 wire set.
After this experience I purchased an Accel 8.8 custom wire set, good wires however lengths are not correct. Soon I will put on a set of headers, when I do I will order bulk wire from Accel and custom make my own wires. Check the following company, they have the Accel bulk wire and MSD bulk wire - Good prices, however be warned in my past experience customer service is a little lacking.
http://www.carpartsonsale.com
After this experience I purchased an Accel 8.8 custom wire set, good wires however lengths are not correct. Soon I will put on a set of headers, when I do I will order bulk wire from Accel and custom make my own wires. Check the following company, they have the Accel bulk wire and MSD bulk wire - Good prices, however be warned in my past experience customer service is a little lacking.
http://www.carpartsonsale.com
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (DavidOrr)
I also used wires from Parts America, lasted about 10 miles before I had 6 of 8 on fire. Except it's not lousy Parts America junk, it's "you get what you pay for", buy a $20 wire set you get a $20 wire set.
After this experience I purchased an Accel 8.8 custom wire set, good wires however lengths are not correct. Soon I will put on a set of headers, when I do I will order bulk wire from Accel and custom make my own wires. Check the following company, they have the Accel bulk wire and MSD bulk wire - Good prices, however be warned in my past experience customer service is a little lacking.
http://www.carpartsonsale.com
After this experience I purchased an Accel 8.8 custom wire set, good wires however lengths are not correct. Soon I will put on a set of headers, when I do I will order bulk wire from Accel and custom make my own wires. Check the following company, they have the Accel bulk wire and MSD bulk wire - Good prices, however be warned in my past experience customer service is a little lacking.
http://www.carpartsonsale.com
I am running the accel sprial core 8mm and I like them a lot
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (Chuck Harmon)
I just ordered a set of ceramic plug wires from Jacobs last Thursday, about $190. My 2.125" headers have no clearance on some of the boots and would fry them. The Moroso boot shields are expensive, $35 per pair, and made removing the boots from the plug a real pain. At $50-$60 a set for Moroso wires for brief service was a pretty expensive and high hassle way to go. "Doc" at Jacobs told me their wires have a life time guarantee, even if brutalized. He brought up Lorna Bobbit (sp?) as an example. Boots are rated at 2000 degrees.
I didn't go through plug wires very often on my small block. Even at 20,000 miles per set from Moroso or Accel, the Jacobs would be hard to justify. But if it is a problem the Jacobs may be a good choice. Too often it is easier to just pay large sums of money to solve a ploblem. Frequently this approach gives less than the desired or promised results. But Jacobs does have a very good reputation. Even so, for the price, they had better work!
Chuck
Chuck
I didn't go through plug wires very often on my small block. Even at 20,000 miles per set from Moroso or Accel, the Jacobs would be hard to justify. But if it is a problem the Jacobs may be a good choice. Too often it is easier to just pay large sums of money to solve a ploblem. Frequently this approach gives less than the desired or promised results. But Jacobs does have a very good reputation. Even so, for the price, they had better work!
Chuck
Chuck
Other then that, if radio/ignition box interference isn’t an issue any high performance solid core wire will work well.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (63Banshee)
Banshee,
I'm not pleased to hear your problems with Jacobs. Hope I didn't make an expensive mistake. I had my headers and side pipes Jet Hot coated when new. Quite frankly they didn't reduce the surface nearly temperature as much as I expected. They still fried the plug boots and my daughter still burned (2nd degree!) her leg. I understood Jet Hot to be as good as ceramic coating. Perhaps not.
Chuck
I'm not pleased to hear your problems with Jacobs. Hope I didn't make an expensive mistake. I had my headers and side pipes Jet Hot coated when new. Quite frankly they didn't reduce the surface nearly temperature as much as I expected. They still fried the plug boots and my daughter still burned (2nd degree!) her leg. I understood Jet Hot to be as good as ceramic coating. Perhaps not.
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (Chuck Harmon)
I've had good experience with Jacobs and their products. I've used three sets of plug wires on different cars and two of their spark boxes. I had one problem which they fixed immediately.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (flynhi)
Picked up some Accels tonight and started to install them a little while ago. Bought the universal cut to fit kit which should give the compartment a nice clean look. Plus the bright yellow matches my car. But what a pain it is getting those boots on :eek:
At least with headers these will go straight up and towards the distributor. Last installation 2 years ago was a nightmare. If they weren't the original factory wires I would have never believed they were supposed to go thru the motor mounts!
At least with headers these will go straight up and towards the distributor. Last installation 2 years ago was a nightmare. If they weren't the original factory wires I would have never believed they were supposed to go thru the motor mounts!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: What plug wires to use with headers? (Chuck Harmon)
My issues with Jacobs are with customer service. Had nothing to do with their products. I gave them every opportunity to right a wrong, which wasn’t much to ask, and they failed miserably.
