Long plug wires - where to buy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72 Cheyenne K20 · 05-30-2005, 12:31 AM

I have a 72 with a 350 and am getting ready to switch from points to HEI. The dizzy is the easy part. The pita is trying to find the plug wires. I'm trying to go factory and need the wires that are long enought to go behind the motor instead of over the valve covers. I've been to six different parts stores and 2 GM dealers and no luck. I found a set in yellow but want black. I know they must be out there, any suggestions on where to find them?

Thanks, Scott

kelsfine69 · 05-30-2005, 12:37 AM

Try Moroso or MSD. I bought a set in red for my big block in a universal kit and i cut/crimp the end and put on each wire as I made it. Routed them all around the back of the valve cover. that way they all fit to each plug perfectly. Had GM HEI wires before and thes are much nicer

Elsie72 · 05-30-2005, 12:44 AM

I concur with kelsfine69. I just installed a universal set of black 8.5mm MSD Super Conductor wires on mine, and they are plenty long enough to route any way you want. They came with a tool to help trim the wires, and put the first crimp onto the terminals.

**pjmoreland** · 05-30-2005, 12:54 AM

There was a thread about this a few months ago. Somebody said that Corvettes from somewhere in the mid '70s had ram horn exhaust manifolds AND HEI, so if you can get stock plug wires for that year of Corvette, they mount up perfectly, without the pain of having to attach the ends to the wires like you have to do with the high-end wire sets. I ran the Accel wires that you cut to length. I was able to make the length perfect, but I agree yellow is pretty obnoxious.

krue · 05-30-2005, 01:05 AM

73 or 75 vette wires. I don't remember which it is.

68w/sbc406 · 05-30-2005, 01:07 AM

75 sounds right

**VetteVet** · 05-30-2005, 01:08 AM

The corvettes that PJ refers to are the 1975 and up c-3 models with Hei ignition. My 74 still has points so 75 and up are the ones you want. They route down under the rams horn like he said. You may need to get the wire holders to keep them off the exhausts also.

**pjmoreland** · 05-30-2005, 01:12 AM

www.gmcpauls.com sells the little wire retainer clips that fasten to the oil pan. I installed a pair of these, and they worked out great. They keep the front wires from touching the exhaust manifold.

krue · 05-30-2005, 01:26 AM

I just used the stock wire holders.

fastwillie 696969 · 05-30-2005, 01:36 AM

[url]taylor wires

4x4Poet · 05-30-2005, 03:16 AM

My favs, Magnecor, sells black wires. Very informative articles at the top 4 links, as well.

And I 3rd or 4th the 75 vette app.

72 Cheyenne K20 · 05-30-2005, 12:06 PM

Thanks for all the info guys. One last thing. I have the wire brackets that go at the back of the block and also the small ones on the block under the front 2 plugs. I see that there are also a set that connect at the oil pan? anyone have any pics? are there any other wire holders than whats been mentioned?

Thanks, Scott

**pjmoreland** · 05-30-2005, 04:35 PM

Here's a link to the picture of the one www.gmcpauls.com sells. It's not a very good picture. I installed two of these (one on either side) and they worked out great. There's a

http://www.gmcpauls.com/pictures/Plu...an%2067-72.jpg

Here's an image from the 1972 Service Manual that shows the clips on the oil pan. You can see them next to the arrowheads pointing at cylinders 5 and 6.

toddtheodd · 05-30-2005, 05:13 PM

While you're at it, pick up the spark plugs for the 75 vette as well. I can't remember the code for them off hand, but I think it included the letter X, which was for HEI.
Todd

**passthebuck** · 05-30-2005, 06:30 PM

I love my MSD Heli-core plug wires! (the blue jacketed ones) you can custom make them really quick & they lasted me 9 years with less than 200ohms per foot resistance at the end of 9 years! I had to change them out because the silicone jacket was breaking down. Just this past spring I installed new ones. for my 327 with hei I used unversal kit pn 3120.

http://www.msdignition.com/wire_2.htm
http://www.msdignition.com/wire_3.htm

72 Cheyenne K20 · 06-01-2005, 12:25 AM

OK, I lied, one more question. I see in the diagram (thanks PJ) that there is one retainer connected to an oil pan bolt per side. The retainer from GMC Pauls says that the retainers are for one wire only. Did the factory retainers hold both front wires or just one? Does anyone have any factory retainers that connect to the oil pan they want to sell? Thanks guys

Scott

**pjmoreland** · 06-01-2005, 12:33 AM

I installed the clips from GMC Pauls, and they are the perfect size for two wires. I'm not sure why they say that on their website. I have one per side.

05-30-2005, 12:31 AM	#1
72 Cheyenne K20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Staunton, Virginia Posts: 554	Long plug wires - where to buy? I have a 72 with a 350 and am getting ready to switch from points to HEI. The dizzy is the easy part. The pita is trying to find the plug wires. I'm trying to go factory and need the wires that are long enought to go behind the motor instead of over the valve covers. I've been to six different parts stores and 2 GM dealers and no luck. I found a set in yellow but want black. I know they must be out there, any suggestions on where to find them? Thanks, Scott

05-30-2005, 12:44 AM	#3
Elsie72 Chinook Arch Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: High River, Alberta, Canada Posts: 218	I concur with kelsfine69. I just installed a universal set of black 8.5mm MSD Super Conductor wires on mine, and they are plenty long enough to route any way you want. They came with a tool to help trim the wires, and put the first crimp onto the terminals. __________________ 1972 GMC 1500 Custom - Bought used by Grandpa in '74, currently back on the road after a long hiatus. Elsie's truck 2.5" dual exhaust with Hooker Aero Chambers Holley 670 Street Avenger Edelbrock Performer RPM on GMPP 290HP 350 ECE drop 3.5/5

05-30-2005, 01:05 AM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	73 or 75 vette wires. I don't remember which it is. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

05-30-2005, 01:07 AM	#6
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	75 sounds right __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

05-30-2005, 01:08 AM	#7
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,718	The corvettes that PJ refers to are the 1975 and up c-3 models with Hei ignition. My 74 still has points so 75 and up are the ones you want. They route down under the rams horn like he said. You may need to get the wire holders to keep them off the exhausts also. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

05-30-2005, 12:37 AM	#2
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Try Moroso or MSD. I bought a set in red for my big block in a universal kit and i cut/crimp the end and put on each wire as I made it. Routed them all around the back of the valve cover. that way they all fit to each plug perfectly. Had GM HEI wires before and thes are much nicer

05-30-2005, 12:54 AM	#4
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,982	There was a thread about this a few months ago. Somebody said that Corvettes from somewhere in the mid '70s had ram horn exhaust manifolds AND HEI, so if you can get stock plug wires for that year of Corvette, they mount up perfectly, without the pain of having to attach the ends to the wires like you have to do with the high-end wire sets. I ran the Accel wires that you cut to length. I was able to make the length perfect, but I agree yellow is pretty obnoxious.

05-30-2005, 01:12 AM	#8
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,982	www.gmcpauls.com sells the little wire retainer clips that fasten to the oil pan. I installed a pair of these, and they worked out great. They keep the front wires from touching the exhaust manifold.

05-30-2005, 01:26 AM	#9
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	I just used the stock wire holders. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

05-30-2005, 01:36 AM	#10
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	[url]taylor wires __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex Last edited by fastwillie 696969; 05-30-2005 at 01:38 AM.

05-30-2005, 03:16 AM	#11
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	My favs, Magnecor, sells black wires. Very informative articles at the top 4 links, as well. And I 3rd or 4th the 75 vette app. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

05-30-2005, 12:06 PM	#12
72 Cheyenne K20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Staunton, Virginia Posts: 554	Thanks for all the info guys. One last thing. I have the wire brackets that go at the back of the block and also the small ones on the block under the front 2 plugs. I see that there are also a set that connect at the oil pan? anyone have any pics? are there any other wire holders than whats been mentioned? Thanks, Scott

05-30-2005, 04:35 PM	#13
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,982	Here's a link to the picture of the one www.gmcpauls.com sells. It's not a very good picture. I installed two of these (one on either side) and they worked out great. There's a http://www.gmcpauls.com/pictures/Plu...an%2067-72.jpg Here's an image from the 1972 Service Manual that shows the clips on the oil pan. You can see them next to the arrowheads pointing at cylinders 5 and 6. Attached Images

05-30-2005, 05:13 PM	#14
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	While you're at it, pick up the spark plugs for the 75 vette as well. I can't remember the code for them off hand, but I think it included the letter X, which was for HEI. Todd __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

05-30-2005, 06:30 PM	#15
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	I love my MSD Heli-core plug wires! (the blue jacketed ones) you can custom make them really quick & they lasted me 9 years with less than 200ohms per foot resistance at the end of 9 years! I had to change them out because the silicone jacket was breaking down. Just this past spring I installed new ones. for my 327 with hei I used unversal kit pn 3120. http://www.msdignition.com/wire_2.htm http://www.msdignition.com/wire_3.htm __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car



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06-01-2005, 12:25 AM	#16
72 Cheyenne K20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Staunton, Virginia Posts: 554	OK, I lied, one more question. I see in the diagram (thanks PJ) that there is one retainer connected to an oil pan bolt per side. The retainer from GMC Pauls says that the retainers are for one wire only. Did the factory retainers hold both front wires or just one? Does anyone have any factory retainers that connect to the oil pan they want to sell? Thanks guys Scott

06-01-2005, 12:33 AM	#17
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,982	I installed the clips from GMC Pauls, and they are the perfect size for two wires. I'm not sure why they say that on their website. I have one per side.

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