In the archives I found your recommendation for MSD Heli core wires in a universal set. Do you have a part # for the black universal set. I have been online and in a couple of stores and so far I'm batting zero.
Steve
Steve
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Re: Spark plug wires_Mr. Hinckley
Hi Steve:
I'll take the liberty of responding to your post since I just had an email exchange with John Hinckley a few days ago on this same subject. It appears that the 7 mm black set from MSD may not be available. However, John directed me to the Pertronix "Stock Look" 7 mm black wires that also use heli-coil construction. I just installed a set on my 67 small block today. Following are a few points that may be of interest:
1) The pre-made Pertronix 708101 kit that is listed for Corvettes is a general purpose set with several wires that are too long for my car. I decided not to get this set because I would end up with wires bunched up under the distributor shield.
2) Pertronix sells a 708190 "universal" kit with wires that you cut to length, but this kit only contains 90 degree terminations for the distributor. I decided to buy this kit and install the distributor termination clips from my old wires.
3) Crimping the old clips to the new wires can probably be done with regular pliers, but after reading Mike McCagh's post about the MSD Pro-Crimp tool (number 3505, I believe), I decided to buy one for $50 and use that. The results were reasonable, but maybe pliers would have been okay.
4) Cutting the insulation back on the heli-coil wire has to be done with EXTREME care. The Pertronix kit contains no tool for this. The wire used in the heli-coil core is very fine wire that easy to damage. I developed a careful cutting and stripping process that appeared to work, but I still had to repeat a couple of the cuts because the delicate wire was damaged. I checked each completed cable with an ohm meter to make sure it had the expected resistance of about 500 ohms per foot.
In summary, you can use the Pertronix 708190 kit to get a nice looking solution, but it is very tricky cutting the wire and adding the appropriate clips. Alternatively, you can use the Pertronix 708101 pre-made set that has some wires too long.
Another option is to use the AC Delco 508N set, which according to Gary Schisler's posting in the archices has wires that are the correct length. This set uses the carbon-impregnated fiber technology that was used in the OEM system. -
Re: Spark plug wires (JoeRandolph)
Joe,
Great information. I am going to replace my plug wires soon as well.
What are the advantages of the Pertronix wires over OEM?
Thanks,
FrankComment
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Re: Spark plug wires_Mr. Hinckley
Unsolicited comment here but here goes any way. What is wrong with the Delco replacement sets? They are the correct length, fit under all the appropriate wire covers and looms etc. They work well, have a stock look, and, require no maintenance or modification when installed.
McParts auto stores stock them and they are in the $35 range. IIRC, for my 72 the part number was 508N.
GaryComment
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Re: Spark plug wires_Mr. Hinckley
Joe
Thanks for the info.
SteveComment
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Re: Spark plug wires_Mr. Hinckley
Gary,
Great comment on the AC Delco wire set. Exactly like it should be told AND you will get partial credit if you have the car judged with the Delco wires. I might add that if you use the reproduction wires with the correct dates you may find yourself limping to the show field. We have had several sets of reproduction wires that had to be thrown away because they don't always conduct electricity. That's real important!
Regards,
JRComment
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Re: Spark plug wires_Mr. Hinckley
Gary,
It sounds like the Delco are the way to go.
Thanks,
FrankComment
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Re: Spark plug wires_Mr. Hinckley
Well, I am happy with mine. No day-glo orange wires with chrome looms etc. Just plain, old and reliable Delco.
GaryComment
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Re: Spark plug wires (JoeRandolph)
Hi Frank:
There is a lot of hype and propaganda about the heli-coil type wires having superior performance, but I won't try to comment on the accuracy of the claims.
I was originally interested in metal conductor wires for the simple reason that I thought they would be more durable and reliable than the carbon-impregnated fiber type used in the OEM cables and the Delco replacements. I've never really trusted that construction, because any kind of stress to the wire can cause the conductivity to degrade.
The dated reproduction wires sold by Lectric Limited use the carbon fiber construction, and the set I got from Lectric had several bad wires right out of the box. I think the main problem is that the particular wire used by Lectric is JUNK, but the problem with those wires spooked me about using the carbon fiber construction.
What I wanted was a simple stranded metal wire like the Packard 440, but with adequate resistance to suppress radio noise. After seeing the construction of the Pertronix heli-coil wire, I think it may be no more durable than the carbon fiber type that I was trying to avoid. The Pertronix wire uses a very thin single strand conductor that is wound around a core that is (I think) carbon fiber. This gives some backup in the event that that the metal wire breaks, but there is a significant increase in resistance when the metal wire is broken (ask me how I know...)
If I had it to do over again I think I would just use the Delco carbon-fiber replacements. A lot less hassle and probably just as reliable.Comment
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