Pros/Cons to plug wires - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BarnabyHooge · 08-24-2010, 09:34 AM

I replaced my distributor recently which caused be to uproot all of my plug wires. Currently they hang in looms that come up off of the valve cover. I'd like to get new wires and I'm wondering if maybe I should reroute them under the headers (if posible). Are there any pros/cons to doing it tis way or is it just a style choice? Right now they seem to just be all over the place, which i can't imagine is very good, and it might be nice if they didn't block the valve cover.

Also, I've spent a bunch of time trying to find appropriate wires on 3 different sites and I'm having trouble pinpointing the ones that will fit. It's a '71 350 w/ Skip White HEI and long tube headers. Not sure what brand they are, but they are leaky and rusty! Any suggestions?

Lee H · 08-24-2010, 10:44 AM

Route them anyway you want, no problem. I have mine routed down the back of the block, tucked close to the side of the block and up to the plugs with the two front wires between the block and motor mounts on both sides. Works well with headers (and stock manifolds) and out of sight for the most part. I use mid 70s corvette part number for the wires. These have HEI ends for the cap and 90 degree boots for the plugs, and most important, they are long enough.

propanemudtruck · 08-24-2010, 12:47 PM

cons:

diesels are so cool!

QKENUF4U · 08-24-2010, 01:48 PM

heres what i did with my bb wires... nice and clean...got the holders etc. from CHECKERS.

cdowns · 08-24-2010, 02:23 PM

i've always liked the up top ones so i can see the condition of the wires easily and the slightly shorter plug wires required to run them that way

raycow · 08-24-2010, 06:14 PM

Factory installations on engines with rams horns had the wires routed behind the heads and then up to the plugs from below. This arrangement protected the wires very well against burning.

Ray

Mike C · 08-24-2010, 08:33 PM

Yup. If you are going to run headers and a small block, I would run them underneath. Get a set of factory fit wires if you have points type cap and get a '75 Corvette HEI set if you have converted to the HEI style cap/distributor.

BarnabyHooge · 08-24-2010, 11:00 PM

Thanks everyone

**Already Gone** · 08-25-2010, 03:22 AM

[QUOTE=QKENUF4U;4155134]heres what i did with my bb wires... nice and clean...got the holders etc. from CHECKERS.

Is Checkers a parts chain store?

brans72 · 08-25-2010, 06:30 AM

Good post anymore pics?

08-24-2010, 09:34 AM	#1
BarnabyHooge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 102	Pros/Cons to plug wires I replaced my distributor recently which caused be to uproot all of my plug wires. Currently they hang in looms that come up off of the valve cover. I'd like to get new wires and I'm wondering if maybe I should reroute them under the headers (if posible). Are there any pros/cons to doing it tis way or is it just a style choice? Right now they seem to just be all over the place, which i can't imagine is very good, and it might be nice if they didn't block the valve cover. Also, I've spent a bunch of time trying to find appropriate wires on 3 different sites and I'm having trouble pinpointing the ones that will fit. It's a '71 350 w/ Skip White HEI and long tube headers. Not sure what brand they are, but they are leaky and rusty! Any suggestions?

08-24-2010, 10:44 AM	#2
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,141	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires Route them anyway you want, no problem. I have mine routed down the back of the block, tucked close to the side of the block and up to the plugs with the two front wires between the block and motor mounts on both sides. Works well with headers (and stock manifolds) and out of sight for the most part. I use mid 70s corvette part number for the wires. These have HEI ends for the cap and 90 degree boots for the plugs, and most important, they are long enough. __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

08-24-2010, 12:47 PM	#3
propanemudtruck Local Redneck Authority Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 584	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires cons: diesels are so cool! __________________ -Kevin four on the floor feel the beat in your soul movin to the rhythym pumpin til ya cant take no more dance if you want to do what you came to you cant ignore the feeling of that four on the floor

08-24-2010, 01:48 PM	#4
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires heres what i did with my bb wires... nice and clean...got the holders etc. from CHECKERS.

08-24-2010, 02:23 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires i've always liked the up top ones so i can see the condition of the wires easily and the slightly shorter plug wires required to run them that way __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-24-2010, 06:14 PM	#6
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires Factory installations on engines with rams horns had the wires routed behind the heads and then up to the plugs from below. This arrangement protected the wires very well against burning. Ray

08-24-2010, 08:33 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires Yup. If you are going to run headers and a small block, I would run them underneath. Get a set of factory fit wires if you have points type cap and get a '75 Corvette HEI set if you have converted to the HEI style cap/distributor. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

08-24-2010, 11:00 PM	#8
BarnabyHooge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 102	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires Thanks everyone

08-25-2010, 03:22 AM	#9
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,107	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires [QUOTE=QKENUF4U;4155134]heres what i did with my bb wires... nice and clean...got the holders etc. from CHECKERS. Is Checkers a parts chain store? __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

08-25-2010, 06:30 AM	#10
brans72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Durham,NC Posts: 636	Re: Pros/Cons to plug wires Good post anymore pics?



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