Best spark plug wires

[Paul Y.]

What are the best spark plug wires to use on my 1971 for driving trouble free? I want them to fit under the manifold as original and to have 90 degree on both ends and be black. I would prefer them to be high quallity like the originals and last many miles. Give me your suggestions. I will route them as original with all the shielding and do not need them to be dated. Thanks in advance. Paul

[George D.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

Paul,

You might try your local Chevy dealer. I've used the AC brand wires on my 69 and they are fine. I don't know if the configuration for a 71 is exactly like the original, but they should work if they're still available.

[Bill H.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

For non-dated/origional, the only wires I use are Taylor Spiro-Pro, on the racecars and my daily driver C4.
They will last much longer that the stock type wires and take the heat (like headers) much better.
A set for a '71 is $59.00 at Summit Racing.

[Duke W.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

A decent set of RFI suppression wires that will allow you to hear the radio is sold under the Delco brand. I believe the number is 508N. They have red boots on the spark plug ends, but you can use your old boots if they are in serviceable condition.

I doubt if GM actually manufactures these wires, but I don't know who the actual manufacturer is.

Verify the part number and buy from a local Delco dealer or one that does Web sales.

Duke

[Paul Y.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

Paul,

You might try your local Chevy dealer. I've used the AC brand wires on my 69 and they are fine. I don't know if the configuration for a 71 is exactly like the original, but they should work if they're still available.

I tried the Chevy dealer and they said they were discontinued. If I had a part number I could try that.

[Paul Y.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

For non-dated/origional, the only wires I use are Taylor Spiro-Pro, on the racecars and my daily driver C4.
They will last much longer that the stock type wires and take the heat (like headers) much better.
A set for a '71 is $59.00 at Summit Racing.

I was checking Summit and did not find 7mm which I believe I need to fit in the original brackets and shielding.

[Paul Y.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

A decent set of RFI suppression wires that will allow you to hear the radio is sold under the Delco brand. I believe the number is 508N. They have red boots on the spark plug ends, but you can use your old boots if they are in serviceable condition.

I doubt if GM actually manufactures these wires, but I don't know who the actual manufacturer is.

Verify the part number and buy from a local Delco dealer or one that does Web sales.

Duke

Thanks Duke, I don't have the proper old ones to change the boots. The ones that are on there are really go-fast with blue wires wrapped in cable similar to a big block only no ground connections. I sure would like to find some with 90 degrees on both ends. I could always dye the red ends at the plug end. I have had pretty go luck with the dye on my 63 cables. If I could find the 90 degrees on both ends I would get two sets and use one set on my 63 when I change them. I'm still looking and checking out all these good suggestions. The ones on there are good wires but I want them to go under the manifolds as original and fit in the brackets and under the shielding. Thanks again. Paul

[John D.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

The 508N Wires do not have the 90 degree boots on the distributor cap end. And as mentioned they have super ugly Red boots on the spark plug ends.

Paul the 508N's are always on Ebay. JD

[Bill H.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

I was checking Summit and did not find 7mm which I believe I need to fit in the original brackets and shielding.

Yea, the 7mm is stock, IIRC. I also think the 7mm was stock on an LT1 C4. But I found that the 8mm will fit the stock, plastic separators if the plug wires are silicon.
The Taylors I put on my 92 fit perfectly in the stock location and wire separators. And the silicon outer jackets won't crack with heat and over time.
The black Taylors w/90* ends for a 71 : http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TAY-74005/
If you don't want to use Taylors, that's fine.

[Dick W.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

Frequent poster here, Joe Ray, would have the 508N wires if they are still available

[Paul Y.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

Yea, the 7mm is stock, IIRC. I also think the 7mm was stock on an LT1 C4. But I found that the 8mm will fit the stock, plastic separators if the plug wires are silicon.
The Taylors I put on my 92 fit perfectly in the stock location and wire separators. And the silicon outer jackets won't crack with heat and over time.
The black Taylors w/90* ends for a 71 : http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TAY-74005/
If you don't want to use Taylors, that's fine.

Bill, I don't mind the Taylors but the 8mm really don't fit the brackets on the older autos. I believe the HEI came in some time in the mid seventies and they went to 8mm when that happened.

[Ken A.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

508n's are also for a 340 Chrysler & have 2 wires that are too long.

[Bill H.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

Bill, I don't mind the Taylors but the 8mm really don't fit the brackets on the older autos. I believe the HEI came in some time in the mid seventies and they went to 8mm when that happened.

Good to know,Paul.

[Jeff B.]

Re: Best spark plug wires

I recently bought the AC Delco 508N (GM # 12043782) online from Rock Auto for my 1972 at a cost of $27.89. They fit fine and perform better than the dated reproduction set that I was using.