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Plug Wires Stupid Question

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ntx78k5

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Afternoon all, have a 78K5 with a standard 2 bolt main 350 with an aftermarket intake. I bought this last year and I have burned 2 sets of wires from the exhaust manifold. The motor isnt a 78 so I am unsure what it came out of. Both sets of wires had 90's on the spark plug end and that is where the burns are coming from. Does anyone know other than making a custom set what straight boot options are available pre made. All parts and performance stores are baffled. :confused:

Thanks,
Paul.
TX
 
Oldsmobile engines used straight boot plug wires. 1985 Cutlass Supreme with 307 should net you straight boot wires.

Of course, those engines are wider, you may end up with some slack in the wires.

I made plug wires for my truck from Accel (not many people like Accel stuff, no complaints on these from me) and am pretty happy the way they turned out. If you can get a kit that comes with straight boots from someone, I'd probably go that way before trying the Oldsmobile wires which might be too long.

I know on plug wires most places won't let you return them if they are dirty, pretty hard to install all of them and not make a mark or two on them.
 
Already did, they told me to get some universals and start assembling. Really not the way I want to go if I can help it.
 
use big block wires...

I've used wires off a 454 with HEI on small blocks before--they have straight boots usually,but are longer in overall length....at least the ones I used were that way... :crazy:
 
Nothing really wrong with the kits, I didn't use any special tools to make mine, although the special crimp tool they have (too much $$ just to make one set of plug wires!) might have been handy, I was able to make pliers work.
 
Thanks for all the replys, Hopefully this will give me the nudge I need. This thing is almost done. Now all I have left is bigger axle's with a better gear ratio.
 
ntx78k5 said:
Afternoon all, have a 78K5 with a standard 2 bolt main 350 with an aftermarket intake. I bought this last year and I have burned 2 sets of wires from the exhaust manifold. The motor isnt a 78 so I am unsure what it came out of. Both sets of wires had 90's on the spark plug end and that is where the burns are coming from. Does anyone know other than making a custom set what straight boot options are available pre made. All parts and performance stores are baffled. :confused:

Thanks,
Paul.
TX
Click to expand...
You also might want to look into the boot-end protectors made out of heat risistant materials, I use them and the lay right on top of my headers and I have NEVER needed to replace my wires after I put these on. They are really impressive.
 
kyser_soze said:
You also might want to look into the boot-end protectors made out of heat risistant materials, I use them and the lay right on top of my headers and I have NEVER needed to replace my wires after I put these on. They are really impressive.
Click to expand...

Where do you get these. Sounds liek a great idea?
 
routing??

While we're on this topic. Anyone have their own "trick" way of routing wires? I'm looking for a cleaner look, i've trided the dividers, valvecover hold downs of all different types....zip ties :crazy: etc etc...share your small block secrets...I have a motor to route with stock manifolds and one with headers
 
3rd pic down (pics not dialup friendly)

pic with wires in place

Might not be "clean enough" for some, but that works and I'm not worried whatsoever about ever burning a plug wire. I build this truck to last, not to look pretty. (Isn't it obvious? :))

Just to save myself some typing, here's my previous quote about plug wires/boots, etc.

"You can look on Summit or Jegs and find spark plug wire insulators. I think mainly for the boot area. For the cost of those things, get creative with some plug wire holders from the wrecking yard.

Just as an example, Oldsmobile V8's from the 80's (Cadillac and Oldsobiles used the Olds 307) had spark plug wire holders that bolted to the valve cover bolts.

On my Vortec heads (unsure on older heads) there are two bolt holes on each head that match the perimeter valve cover bolts. Heck, could be same threads as the centerbolt valve cover bolts too, never checked. (they are for the factory plug wire protectors, but only work with the stock manifolds) Anyway, I got some bolts, and bent/cut the Oldsmobile plug wire holders so the wires cleared my exhaust by as much as possible.

You can see them there, (first pic link above) sticking out between the headers and head. I used the wire clamps GM used on the wiring harness so that I could clip the plug wire in place on three of the locations.

If you spend time on routing and retaining the plug wires solidly, there is no reason to need insulation. That is why GM routed their wires down the back of the block and from below up to the plugs when the manifolds were over the plugs."
 
The Taylor Spyro Pro wires should work good for you. Get The type with a 45* boot. It does a good job pointing the wire up and away from the manifold/header
I have Taylor Spyro pro wires with the 45* boot on 2 vehicles with headers. My K5 and my Mustang They stand up to heat very well. I have never burned a Taylor wire yet. Great set of wires for under 60 bucks.

The Spyro pro are better than the high energy wires linked in the eariler post
Type this number in on Summits search box TAY-73053 That is a universal set but They should work fine for you. You should also be able to get a set of Taylors specifically for your engine with 45* boots.
 
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