Which spark plug wires?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Which spark plug wires?
So, I've shorty headers now, and am in need of shorter spark plug wires, the kind that go over the top of the valve covers. I've been shopping around, and this is a case of TOO many choices, lol.
I shopped around on summit and found a few that seemd good, but to be honest, I don't really know what half of the stuff they are talking about means. Plus, they don't all say if they are the over under type, of the over type.
Not sure if it's needed, but these wires are eventually going to be run on an L-48 with vortec heads, a mild cam, and shorty headers.
Any help making a selection?
I shopped around on summit and found a few that seemd good, but to be honest, I don't really know what half of the stuff they are talking about means. Plus, they don't all say if they are the over under type, of the over type.
Not sure if it's needed, but these wires are eventually going to be run on an L-48 with vortec heads, a mild cam, and shorty headers.
Any help making a selection?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Buy wires that you can cut to length so you can get them up tight against the valve cover and loop down to the plug. Pick a good quality loom (the one I have pictured below is GM Performance Parts but there are many others) so the wires will stay away from the header.
Gary
Gary
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Time for some stupid questions...
How do you get those looms attached to, say, stock valve covers? I am not running the vortec heads yet, so the valve covers are for the plain jane double humps.
And second, are all spark plug wires customizable...? As in, can they all be cut, and then the boots re attached? Or do you have to buy specific ones? When I log on to summit, and punch in my engine, gen 1 small block, it sends me TONS of spark plugs, but they are all the under the manifold style, the long ones...so I would need to shorten them. The spark plug wires I have NOW are pretty new, but just too long, since doing the headers...can I just cut those?
How do you get those looms attached to, say, stock valve covers? I am not running the vortec heads yet, so the valve covers are for the plain jane double humps.
And second, are all spark plug wires customizable...? As in, can they all be cut, and then the boots re attached? Or do you have to buy specific ones? When I log on to summit, and punch in my engine, gen 1 small block, it sends me TONS of spark plugs, but they are all the under the manifold style, the long ones...so I would need to shorten them. The spark plug wires I have NOW are pretty new, but just too long, since doing the headers...can I just cut those?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Time for some stupid questions...
How do you get those looms attached to, say, stock valve covers? I am not running the vortec heads yet, so the valve covers are for the plain jane double humps.
And second, are all spark plug wires customizable...? As in, can they all be cut, and then the boots re attached? Or do you have to buy specific ones? When I log on to summit, and punch in my engine, gen 1 small block, it sends me TONS of spark plugs, but they are all the under the manifold style, the long ones...so I would need to shorten them. The spark plug wires I have NOW are pretty new, but just too long, since doing the headers...can I just cut those?
How do you get those looms attached to, say, stock valve covers? I am not running the vortec heads yet, so the valve covers are for the plain jane double humps.
And second, are all spark plug wires customizable...? As in, can they all be cut, and then the boots re attached? Or do you have to buy specific ones? When I log on to summit, and punch in my engine, gen 1 small block, it sends me TONS of spark plugs, but they are all the under the manifold style, the long ones...so I would need to shorten them. The spark plug wires I have NOW are pretty new, but just too long, since doing the headers...can I just cut those?
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
If you work carefully, you should be able to use the same boots and terminals. You just have to find the good tools to do it. Two small slotted screwdrivers and a pair of pliers are enough to remove and set the crimp terminals. ( even if a crimp tool is better ).
The hardest part of the job is to strip the wires without hurting the small conductor inside ( generally a very small spiral wire )
Some manufacturers make a special tool to do it easilly, which looks like a pencil sharpener, but it often only works with the specific wires they sell...
However, it can be done with a simple cutter blade and some patience... Bending the wire where you cut helps to stop just in time.
I suggest you first try and practice on old spark plug wires.
The hardest part of the job is to strip the wires without hurting the small conductor inside ( generally a very small spiral wire )
Some manufacturers make a special tool to do it easilly, which looks like a pencil sharpener, but it often only works with the specific wires they sell...
However, it can be done with a simple cutter blade and some patience... Bending the wire where you cut helps to stop just in time.
I suggest you first try and practice on old spark plug wires.
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jun 30, 2009 at 01:59 AM.
