Does plug wire swap help?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 13
From: Dayton, Ohio
Does plug wire swap help?
Every once in a while I see something about swapping a couple plug wires
with each other to get a better firing order. As I recall, this also helped alot in general all-around performance.
Anyone hear of this, or am I more nuts than I think I am?
with each other to get a better firing order. As I recall, this also helped alot in general all-around performance.
Anyone hear of this, or am I more nuts than I think I am?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 13
From: Dayton, Ohio
Re: Does plug wire swap help? (65Z01)
Thanks for the replies. Your skepticism matches my own
This is why I asked this question. I just doesn't seem like a good idea.
But ten or more years ago I helped a guy build and install a new engine in his '76. Later that summer he took off on a long trip. Because of his
insistance to re-use his OEM rockers and pushrods, he ended up with a
busted rocker arm in BFE. He paid some guy to fix it (got off lucky). The guy that did the work told him that two plug wires were switched.
Personally, I found that hard to believe because my friend said the car was running great until the rocker broke. He also said that he was getting great mileage until that point (as well as afterward).
This is why I asked this question. I just doesn't seem like a good idea.
But ten or more years ago I helped a guy build and install a new engine in his '76. Later that summer he took off on a long trip. Because of his
insistance to re-use his OEM rockers and pushrods, he ended up with a
busted rocker arm in BFE. He paid some guy to fix it (got off lucky). The guy that did the work told him that two plug wires were switched.
Personally, I found that hard to believe because my friend said the car was running great until the rocker broke. He also said that he was getting great mileage until that point (as well as afterward).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Does plug wire swap help? (corvette_bob)
Every once in a while I see something about swapping a couple plug wires
with each other to get a better firing order. As I recall, this also helped alot in general all-around performance.
Anyone hear of this, or am I more nuts than I think I am?
with each other to get a better firing order. As I recall, this also helped alot in general all-around performance.
Anyone hear of this, or am I more nuts than I think I am?
I can't see how just changing the plug wires from the standard position on the cap or at the plug can do anything but be disastrous.
Which wires have you heard can be swapped? Who's the source of this info?
Jake
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: Does plug wire swap help? (corvette_bob)
There is only one way to hook up a firing order.
I can't believe someone could just swap two plug wires around and not know that something is definitly wrong. Unless.....
if the mechanic pulled two wires off both the plug and the distributor, and swapped the wires for each other, then it wouldn't make any difference, but you cannot actually change the firing order that easily.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
I can't believe someone could just swap two plug wires around and not know that something is definitly wrong. Unless.....
if the mechanic pulled two wires off both the plug and the distributor, and swapped the wires for each other, then it wouldn't make any difference, but you cannot actually change the firing order that easily.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 13
From: Dayton, Ohio
Re: Does plug wire swap help? (rocco16)
You guys have confirmed my doubts about the whole thing.
I can't remember where I heard about this whole thing, but it's one of those
oddball things that gets into your mind and bugs you until youre willing to risk it all by letting others know what's on your mind.
Like I said earlier, I've had my doubts about this all along, but I couldn't get it off my mind.
Just one of the pitfalls of having been around since the addition of the V8 to the Corvette powertrain.
I can't remember where I heard about this whole thing, but it's one of those
oddball things that gets into your mind and bugs you until youre willing to risk it all by letting others know what's on your mind.
Like I said earlier, I've had my doubts about this all along, but I couldn't get it off my mind.
Just one of the pitfalls of having been around since the addition of the V8 to the Corvette powertrain.
