Plug wires?

[Speedysnake]

I need to replace the Ford Racing plug wires on my 351W with MSD ignition. Any thoughts on which wires hold up the best? I have two burned wires so I need wires that hold up to the heat. Also, should I use that grease on the connections? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[427 S/O]

I like the MSD assemble-yourself, ford dealers have the spark plug boot grease, it's clear and won't run or drip due to heat.

[blykins]

Ditto on the MSD's. The MSD StreetFire series is nice also, and a little more affordable. I've used the Ford Racing 9mm's on 3 engines now with no problems.

[xlr8or]

I've always had good luck with Taylor wires.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I have/had the Ford Motorsport wires on both my 65 Mustangs, ran good, last year bought a set of MSD's and put on the race car, from the time I hit the starter button on, there was a noticeable difference with MSD wires, much better.......started immediately and idled a lot smoother.......Now the Ford wires are "spares", go with MSD.................

David

[Cobra #42]

You mentioned that you had "burned" a couple of wires? Was it your headers that they touched or just close to the headers. If touching your headers is the problem, just buy the good wire MSD or other premium wires and route the wires as to not come in contact with the extreme heat of the headers. We always do the old stock car trick where you use wire ties as spacers, then bundle them in a way as to keep away from the header pipes. Hope that helps, db

[Speedysnake]

Don,

The first failure was probably due to contact with or close proximity to the header. The most recent failure was in the boot on the #4 plug, it appears to have deteriorated on the outside of the bend & arced to the header. That's why I'm asking about more heat resistant wiring. Thanks for the input! Paul

[1985 CCX]

I just installed the vintage orange wires available from Summit. After sitting all winter it cranked up after three turns. Works for me............

[PANAVIA]

Ford Racing. I like the ford racing personally, and I usually put a little dielectric grease inside each boot with a q-Tip, carefull not to lose fur (cotton) off of the q-tip. I especially like the part where they are numbered;1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. plus you can get them in black, blue or red.

[Roscoe]

I used the MSD do it yourself 8.5 wires and fire sleeves. Also used the Moroso numbers that are made of shrink tubing.

Roscoe

[CJ428CJ]

I used the MSD 8mm assemble yourself wires. They looked really nice and they assembled really well but they were crap. I went through 2 sets and each set lasted only 5000 miles. The first set started missing on 1 or 2 cylinders. The second set, they all seemed to go at once and I couldn't even get the car to start until I replaced them.


For my third set, I went to a nice set of Taylor mades. On my car, one or 2 plug wires run right next to the battery. I liked the wires, but one day a month or two after I installed them, i was washing my car and noticed that those two wires had holes burned into them where a tiny bit of battery acid had dripped on them.

Out with the Taylors. For my 4th set, I installed some Moroso Blue Max wires. So far, they have been by far the best. They have over 10,000 miles on them and the battery acid doesn't affect them the way it affected the Taylors.

[PANAVIA]

I wonder who actually MAKES all these....there has to be a core manufacturer ( like packard electric, borg warner automotive ) and they rebrand for various concerns.

[Rick Parker]

The configuration of my headers (home brewed) on my 289 radiate a lot of heat and consequently softened several of the boots. After replacing the boots, I bought some fiberglass "booties" that fit over the spark plug boots and up the wire about 2 inches. It has worked well without any further damage.

[Speedysnake]

Thanks for all the input I decided that the one wire must have been defective or damaged on installation. I put a new set of Ford wires on, with the Ford dielectric grease. I'll get the "booties for the plug ends the next time I'm at Summit. Man it's handy to be close to their store!

[MrMagoo]

Just got a set of Moroso Ultra 40 race wires. Real nice. They have a kevlar sleeve over the length of the wire. Add the booties and your wire will be safe. Also, get a wire loom kit and get those wires so they wont make contact with the headers.