Spark Plug Wires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Florida
Spark Plug Wires
I have changed 7 of my 8 spark plugs with Bosh pltnms +4s. Still working on #8 cylinder. The car has 98K, and I'm wondering if I should go ahead and replace the spark plug wires while I'm half way there. If anyone thinks so, is there a preference to what type of plug wires I should use?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
Were the old spark plug wires hard to remove from the plugs? Sometimes heat / corrosion will cause the boots and / or the terminal ends to stick to the plugs pretty damn good. If you are not careful when removing them from the plug, you can wind up separating the core from the terminal ends. Wires that were once good, are no more.
You can check them for resistance / continuity if you think you may have damaged any, or simply replace them.
I happen to like the MSD 8.5mm wires.
You can check them for resistance / continuity if you think you may have damaged any, or simply replace them.
I happen to like the MSD 8.5mm wires.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Florida
Yeah there was visbile corrosion on almost all of the ends. The manual says to check resistance is less than 30,000 ohms, but I figure if I go through that trouble I just might as well replace the wires.
The plugs were also very hard to get out of the block. Gaps were way out of spec at .065 on most of them, and some of the plugs had the lost the little 'nub' on the tip.
The plugs were also very hard to get out of the block. Gaps were way out of spec at .065 on most of them, and some of the plugs had the lost the little 'nub' on the tip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
You can use an OHM meter to check them-they should read right around 5000 OHMs per foot, and use some dialectric grease inside the boots-makes it easier to put on and remove. I've been using Belden
8mm plug wires-not the best but good enough.Don't waste your money on fancy plugs, sounds like one of the pucks came off as normal, you would be happy with ACDelcos or NGKs.
8mm plug wires-not the best but good enough.Don't waste your money on fancy plugs, sounds like one of the pucks came off as normal, you would be happy with ACDelcos or NGKs.
Last edited by rick lambert; Mar 25, 2006 at 10:35 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 171
Likes: 5
From: Linden Pa
And don't forget a little boaters trick. Put a little dielectric silicone lubricant on the plug ceramic before pushing the new wires on. Seals out moisture, slips on easier and removal at next 100,000 will be easier. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I loved the Taylor wires that I got from Summit. Well made, easy to get hold of the boots due to their design and a nice positive "click" when they lock on to the plug.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
With a stock engine, I'd consider stock GM wires. The lengths are right for the application, all the little wire guides should fit, (except the ones I usually break during removal).
If you like different colors, those are available from several sources.
I typically get 70K out of stock wires and replace them for therapy.
Keep the greasy side down.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3speed shocks
If you like different colors, those are available from several sources.
I typically get 70K out of stock wires and replace them for therapy.
Keep the greasy side down.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3speed shocks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Cotati CA
Originally Posted by byebyeL98
Were the old spark plug wires hard to remove from the plugs? Sometimes heat / corrosion will cause the boots and / or the terminal ends to stick to the plugs pretty damn good. If you are not careful when removing them from the plug, you can wind up separating the core from the terminal ends. Wires that were once good, are no more.
You can check them for resistance / continuity if you think you may have damaged any, or simply replace them.
I happen to like the MSD 8.5mm wires.
You can check them for resistance / continuity if you think you may have damaged any, or simply replace them.
I happen to like the MSD 8.5mm wires.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by ceberus
Yeah there was visbile corrosion on almost all of the ends. The manual says to check resistance is less than 30,000 ohms, but I figure if I go through that trouble I just might as well replace the wires.
The plugs were also very hard to get out of the block. Gaps were way out of spec at .065 on most of them, and some of the plugs had the lost the little 'nub' on the tip.
The plugs were also very hard to get out of the block. Gaps were way out of spec at .065 on most of them, and some of the plugs had the lost the little 'nub' on the tip.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge GA
I just did the ones on my 90. I bought it two weeks ago and a tune up was needed. Who ever did wires last put KEMs on there and they were not something I would have done.
I went with Autolight Irridiums with the MSD 8.5's. Direct fit on those. Them I added on the Accel cap/rotor and HEI Supercoil. Had the coil laying around unused so might as well. All it was doing was collecting dust.
The plugs I pulled out were "well broken in" and appeared to be the originals.
I have noticed a big difference in throttle response. But then again I should with a fresh tune up!
Have fun!
I went with Autolight Irridiums with the MSD 8.5's. Direct fit on those. Them I added on the Accel cap/rotor and HEI Supercoil. Had the coil laying around unused so might as well. All it was doing was collecting dust.
The plugs I pulled out were "well broken in" and appeared to be the originals.
I have noticed a big difference in throttle response. But then again I should with a fresh tune up!
Have fun!