spark plug wire to header flash

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Jan 5, 2008 | 01:42 AM

dave_roads

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From: texas

spark plug wire to header flash

what would cause a ticking sound to occur, and a flash between a spark plug wire and the headers. And, BTW, i grabbed the wire and wiggled it...

i think i have bad plugs and/or/ wires.

Jan 5, 2008 | 02:17 AM

comp

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From: eville in

sounds like its arcing ,,bad wire,,,,,another test is (in the dark) watch ti see the spark and mist some water around them

Jan 5, 2008 | 02:57 AM

dave_roads

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From: texas

why is it so hard to put a plug wire on? i have to use a pry bar. is this normal?

Jan 5, 2008 | 04:17 AM

Smokin Joe

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From: South Florida

It shouldn't be. How are you using a pry bar, to put the wire on?

Jan 5, 2008 | 12:24 PM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Get some dielectric grease to wipe inside the caps before you try to install. It will make life a lot easier when you pull them off, too.

Jan 5, 2008 | 12:29 PM

rihwoods

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Ticking/arching sometimes is caused by some mechanics when they clamp onto your wires leaving teeny holes...dumb...

Jan 5, 2008 | 12:43 PM

comp

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From: eville in

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7T1vette

Get some dielectric grease to wipe inside the caps before you try to install. It will make life a lot easier when you pull them off, too.

but only a thin coat

Jan 6, 2008 | 08:21 PM

dave_roads

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From: texas

went to take the wife for a drive this afternoon and it's still arcing..on the passenger side too. i have a mallory distributor and they say dont run resistor plugs and wires. i guess thats my problem as i have both. so what's a good plug wire to run? i really dont care for these accel wires that stick up. i would rather have the type that go sideways. i bought some NGK platinum superman spark-plugs that are in there now. the plugs are a no-brainer r-44?; right?

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Jan 7, 2008 | 02:21 AM

Z-man

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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible

Your spark plug wires are shot. Heat can cause cracking and tiny invisible holes in the insulation which can let a spark jump at that point. If allowed to continue, the sparks will actually make the holes bigger. The sparking is also robbing you of power since the corresponding plugs aren't firing at full capacity when this happens. Don't try to "cheap out" on plug wires because this is what you end up with...

I went with MSD 8.5mm wires. So far, so good.