Fordnatics List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: TAILSPIN <(email redacted)>

hey all
i am about to replace the sparkplug wires on my 88 mustang LX and
was wondering if i should use the ford motorsports wires or if someone could
suggest a good aftermarket wire to use?

thanks in advance

jason toth

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: chucko (Chuck Fry)

I think you'll find the Ford Motorsport plug wires are as good as any
out there -- they're reputed to be made by MSD to Ford specs, and they
have the cylinder number permanently marked for ease of installation.

Of the other brands out there, I've used MSD and Jacobs. The only
problems I've had with MSD wires were of my own making (bad crimp on a
cut-to-fit wire set, quickly traced with an ohmmeter). The Jacobs wires
I'm currently using are good but pricey, they didn't fit all that well,
and the factory-crimped terminations leave something to be desired.

Other reputable brands of magnetic suppression wire (aka "spiral core"
include Moroso, Mallory, and Taylor. Accel also sells mag-suppression
wires but somehow I can't bring myself to trust them. Splitfire wires
may very well be good, but the advertising is pure hype and BS. Don't
pay more for them than for comparable brands!

Traditional resistor core wires are cheap, but they don't provide as
much spark power as mag-suppression, and they tend to be fragile.
Solid-core wires are a bad idea for vehicles that have *any* on-board
electronics.

Whichever wires you pick, be sure to seal the boots to the plugs and
distributor terminals with silicone dielectric grease. Doing so will
prevent moisture-induced misfires, stalls, and failures to start.
-- Chuck

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (Sander Pool)


Chuck wrote:

> Other reputable brands of magnetic suppression wire (aka "spiral core"
> include Moroso, Mallory, and Taylor. Accel also sells mag-suppression
> wires but somehow I can't bring myself to trust them.

Anything about Accell we need to know? I have a 4 banger and was
considering buying an 8 cyl. set so I essentially have a spare set. I
am currently using KEM spiral core wires. They seem pretty good but I
tore off one plugterminal that got stuck to the plug. I repaired it but
now I am unsure of the integrity of the other terminals since I seem to
have misfires with my HyFire ignition.


> Whichever wires you pick, be sure to seal the boots to the plugs and
> distributor terminals with silicone dielectric grease. Doing so will
> prevent moisture-induced misfires, stalls, and failures to start.

But no grease on the actual terminals, right?

BTW are there any straight boots that fit on HEI distributor caps? The
90 deg. boots make it difficult to route the wires correctly. I thought
maybe getting some extra sparkplug boots and using those. Thoughts?

regards,

Sander

'87 XR4Ti

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: chucko (Chuck Fry)

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 94 16:00 PDT
From: (email redacted) (Sander Pool)

Anything about Accell we need to know?

No personal horror stories or anything, I just don't get a warm fuzzy
feeling looking at their stuff at the speed shop.

I am currently using KEM spiral core wires. They seem pretty good but I
tore off one plugterminal that got stuck to the plug. I repaired it but
now I am unsure of the integrity of the other terminals since I seem to
have misfires with my HyFire ignition.

Check 'em with an ohmmeter if you have any doubt. Be careful to put the
probes on the metal terminal, *not* on the center conductor -- this way
you can check the termination. Normal resistance for spark plug wires
is several Kohms to a couple hundred Kohms. If you're seeing readings
in the megohm range, you've got a bad connection or a broken conductor.

> Whichever wires you pick, be sure to seal the boots to the plugs and
> distributor terminals with silicone dielectric grease.

But no grease on the actual terminals, right?

Right. This can cause radio noise, among other things.

BTW are there any straight boots that fit on HEI distributor caps?

Uh, HEI is a GM trademark. I assume you mean the spark plug style
towers on late Ford distributors? Any spark plug terminal will do. You
might want to try a DIY plug wire kit with the appropriate connectors
for each end, or maybe an 8 cylinder set (though that's expensive when
you only need 4 wires).

Anyone know of a retail source for bulk spark plug wire and terminals?
-- Chuck

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Shel Belinkoff <(email redacted)>



On Mon, 24 Oct 1994, Chuck Fry wrote:

> Accel also sells mag-suppression
> wires but somehow I can't bring myself to trust them.

Why?

Shel Belinkoff

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (Sander Pool)

Chuck wrote:

> No personal horror stories or anything, I just don't get a warm fuzzy
> feeling looking at their stuff at the speed shop.

OK, me neither but I did see in their catalog that they sell bulk wire
and bulk boots/terminals. Something else they have that seemed
interesting was metal braided cover/wrap fro sparkplugwires. Obviously
you can only apply that when you make at least one side of the wires
yourself. The Accell (and others I have seen) have the plug side
already done, letting you do the distr. side.


> Check 'em with an ohmmeter if you have any doubt. Be careful to put the
> probes on the metal terminal, *not* on the center conductor -- this way
> you can check the termination. Normal resistance for spark plug wires
> is several Kohms to a couple hundred Kohms. If you're seeing readings
> in the megohm range, you've got a bad connection or a broken conductor.

Yeah, I should do that. I suspect that the conductors are OK, the wire is
pretty strong stainless steel. I'm thinking of intermittent openings in
the wire->terminal connection. I guess I should fasten the terminals
securily to the ohmmeter with gator-clips and then wiggle.

> Right. This can cause radio noise, among other things.

Dang. Got grease on 'em now. Guess I've gotta get new wires.


> Uh, HEI is a GM trademark.

Oops! I thought that was the case but got confused when I thought I saw
it used in general for high energy ignitions like late model Fords.
I'll go wash my mouth with soap :-)

> I assume you mean the spark plug style
> towers on late Ford distributors?

Yep.

> Any spark plug terminal will do. You
> might want to try a DIY plug wire kit with the appropriate connectors
> for each end, or maybe an 8 cylinder set (though that's expensive when
> you only need 4 wires).
>
> Anyone know of a retail source for bulk spark plug wire and terminals?

See above. Accell has it for sure. Mallory seems to have it as well.
Don't know prices.

Sander