Spark Plug wires

[neonlarry]

The old points ignition (complete with 30 year old plug wires) finaly stoped working, and I am albomt finished with putting in a HEI. The one thing that has been a big problem is the spark plug wires. I bought a set of cut to fit MSD wires, and I have been having a lot of trouble getting the terminals crimped to the ends of the wires. The plastic crimping tool they give you does not get the terminals crimped tight enough so they will stay on. So, I had to buy an $80 MSD crimping tool, and I will try tomorrow to see how that works. The other problem I had, is in the instructions it says to grease the rubber boots and slide them onto the wire, then crimp the terminal on and slide the boot over it. Well, what happens is the boot just pulls the terminal off of the wire. By the time I figures that out, all of the rubber boots were stuck so tight to the wires that I cannot even move them. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can get them off with out ruining them? I tried using some sillicone spray, but that didn't do anything. This project has turned out to be way too expensive. The HEI was free, and I only spent another $70 on parts for it so that was ok, but the wires cost $80, $80 for the crimping tool, and I bought another set of terminals (because I plan to cut them shorts and run them over the top when I get headers) but if I can't get the other ones off without ruining them, that's another $16. That's what, $176 just for a set of spark plug wires? It is just my oppinion, but I would not recomend that anyone buy these wires, unless you have headers and/or you can get a custom fit set.
Sorry this is so long, but I am sure anyone who has bought a set of cut to fit wries knows what I am talking about (never again! lol)

[da-burb]

They have HEI wires on the shelf at the parts store. You need to ask for wires for a 1975 Corvette 350. At the NAPA store they designate the HEI wires as "above the manifold" or "below the manifold" style. Below the manifold will be the correct ones for a small block with rams horn exhaust manifolds. I hate to say it, the last set I got there cost $50 and I wanted cheap. Your story makes me feel better about it.

[neonlarry]

I knew that there were some that would fit, but I couldn't remember what they were. I kind of thought with the cut to fit ones I could just buy the new terminals and make them shorter when I get a set of headers, but as it turned out, buying 2 sets of wires would have been cheaper. Oh well, there isn't much I can do about it now. I have to get it running tomorrow, so we will see what happens. I may just have to go and get a set of corvette wires.

[slam33]

The tool I got was a 2 piece alluminum block, worked great. The boots go on first and then they just slide over the ends when crimped. I did my wires about 3 yrs ago and have never had a problem with them.

[neonlarry]

Well, I must just be doing it wrong or something, but I had a plastic tool like that, but it would not press the tabs down far enough onto the wire. I am sure that many people have gotten them to wrok just fine, but I will never buy another set of cut to fit wires.

[Alex]

I've never messed with any expensive crimping tools and have successfully crimped the plug wires with a simple pair of pliers. I don't know if it's luck or what, but maybe you can try that and see how it works. For lubrication to make the boots slide over easily, I use hand cleaner. It also works great for cleaning those dirty, greasy plug wires that are still good.

[Longhorn Man]

i'm with Alex on this, I always use cut to fit, and have never had any trouble. I use PB Blaster (like WD 40...but it works) to slide the boot