What plug wires for HEI?

[72K10]

I've got an HEI setup in my 72 K10 (longbed, I might add ) with a 350 ci, and I need new plug wires. But I can't recall the best application. Anyone know of a good year / engine / model to use so I get the right lengths?

Thanks for the help,

Chris

[da-burb]

1976 VETTE 350 if you are running rams horns. The NAPA parts book lists it as "under the manifold style" vs "over the manifold" for the truck engines 1973+ (HEI was 76+ I believe.)

[HotRod929]

What about if you arnt running ram horns but headers? What over header wires work? I got Accels cut to fit spirel core wires and they are a bunch of crap. They sux to put together and they misfired right out of the box.

HotRod

[Mike C]

The underneath wires work best for headers also. Only time they aren't the best choice is with log style manifolds.

HEI first showed up on Chevy's in '74 on the L-82 Corvette and L-82 Z/28. In '75 all Chevy V8's had HEI.

I run 72 SBC truck wires on my Jimmy with the 'vettes rams horns and on my Camaro with 1 3/4 Huslers. I have a ready to run MSD in the Jimmy and a mag pickup and 6T in the Camaro. I like the small window cap distributors combined with the truck wires which have a straight boot on the cap so they don't lay across each other as badly as 90 degree boots. I like Taylor Spiro Pros, hands down. I used Made-For-You vertical valve cover looms attached to my oil pan rail for wire holder/separators in both vehicles.

[HotRod929]

Yea thats another thing I dont like about the wires I have. The fact that the distobutor ends are 90s insted of 180s. I hate the way they 90s look crossing all over each other. So which "truck" style HEI wires would I want to get? Also are the under header/manifold wires longer than what would be needed for over header/manifold wires? I like the way engins look with the wires loomed nicely over the headers. Thanks

HotRod

[Mike C]

For a big cap HEI, get the '75-'79 Corvette wires. If you have a window cap, get 72 small block truck wires. If you want custom loomed wires over the top, buy the Taylor cut to fit wires and trim to match whatever looms you use. You can also buy optional straight distributor boots from them for another $12 or so. This all adds up pretty quick, which makes the pre-made truck wires look even better to me. But a good (read expensive) plug wire crimp tool. There is just no way to make precut wires look good in looms IMO. I have never been very happy with plug wires from anybody BUT Taylor. MSD are OK, but way more expensive, but Taylors are more than they used to be.

I personally do not like the wires over the top. They tend to get oily and are in the way when doing exhaust gaskets, valve cover gaskets, or even valve adjustments. Mine route down behind the block and are virtually out of sight.