Plug Wires

[Rick Parker]

289 Old School appearance, no bling.

Recently I found that the insulation on the High tension coil wire appeared to have broken down internally. While doing routine maintenance, with the coil wire removed from the cap and laying near the intake manifold a strong spark would jump through the wire jacket when the key was turned on. This happened repeatedly while attempting to validate this concern.
I use wires made from Autolite or Beldon (I think??) bulk wire that are "Old School" Stainless core 7mm with a Light Brown/Tan silicone 2 layer jacket. Before anyone flames me for using these with a MSD box, let me say that the primary trigger wires from the MSD distributor to the MSD 6T analog box are encompassed in a grounded foil lined jacket. These plug wires have worked without any issues for 6 years (Pictures in my Gallery). It's what was used "Back in the Day" the connectors on each spark plug wire are soldered. I am forced to use fiberglass heat sleeves to protect the silicone boots because of the proximity of the header tubes.

I HAVE reluctantly given some consideration to replacing the wires with more current thinking type. I would want to use Black (as I don't think a similar color tan is available) such as MSD 8.5 wires or maybe Ford Racing. Anyone have opinions on the better of the two, good or bad? I have to have the 135 degree boots, and am not sure MSD offers this. I'm not a fan of the 10mm Taylor wires.


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[ERA Chas]

MSD or Moroso spiral cores-not bigger than 8MM. Your MSD shielding is fine and won't hurt these anyway. Lacq thinner takes of the logo lettering.

[Snakebit]

Taylor 8mm spiropro. Get the universal set so you can custom size the length to each plug. They come in black with 135* boots.

[mpanten]

Magnacore will make them for you.

[Dwight]

I used the MSD 8.5 mm kit on my GT 40. I custom fit the wires to the motor. A couple of week ago I used the same wires on a Cobra. My Ford mechanic loaned me his rachet crimpers to use both times. Much better than the tool in the kit that you use with a vise.

Dwight

[bobcowan]

The wires you maed worked well up until now, didn't they? If so, why not just replace them with the same thing? Plug wires generally don't last 6 years in any application.

[Cobra 29]

I used the FMS 9mm wires but routed them over the valve covers. The 427 style covers had the tab for a plastic wiring harness. I sawed the plastic for a shorter piece and bolted to the VC tab with small screws and nuts.