What Ignition Wires to use on Big Block with Headers ?
73SC said
Oct 26, 2011
Looking for recommendations on ignition wires to run on my 454 with non HEI distributor. I transfered my small blockset for now to get the engine running but know that I need straight boots to clear the headers.
I am not a fan of coloured wires so prefer grey or black, similar to OEM look. Original style AC Delco 508R are available from my local dealer for $60 but I am not sure how they will fair vs. headers.
Suggestions please.
4SPEED427 said
Oct 26, 2011
I'm afraid you'll likely have to go coloured Ray. Those original black wires will die a horrible death in short order with headers. I'm with you on the coloured wires but I put orange silicone on my 65 and it only has manifolds. Those black wires are good for shows...
2drpost said
Oct 26, 2011
msd has a set of black wires/gray boots, HEI ends. not sure if they make them with point cap ends...
67Poncho said
Oct 26, 2011
Carl Stevenson wrote:
I'm afraid you'll likely have to go coloured Ray. Those original black wires will die a horrible death in short order with headers. I'm with you on the coloured wires but I put orange silicone on my 65 and it only has manifolds. Those black wires are good for shows...
Carl, look up a set for a 366 grain truck with shields!!! That is what I have in my '70 with the 454 and headers..... Been there since it conception back in '93...
4SPEED427 said
Oct 26, 2011
Have you priced those shields? Those things are a crazy price.
I guess that would help though, good point.
67Poncho said
Oct 26, 2011
Carl Stevenson wrote:
Have you priced those shields? Those things are a crazy price.
Maybe able to find good used! Also, Ray can check in his neck of the woods?
73SC said
Oct 26, 2011
Big swap meet coming up soon at International Centre near Toronto airport.
MAXX Performance 8.5mm Ferrite Spiral Core Spark Plug Wires have a resistance of 500 Ohms per foot. All wires are wrapped in a 500°F heat resistant thick silicone jacket to protect against current leakage and eliminates arcing.
Each set of MAXX Performance wires comes with heavy duty wire separators.
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 26th of October 2011 11:42:10 PM
67Poncho said
Oct 26, 2011
Oh, I just realized, you still have points in that car... The wires I was talking about was for an H.E.I... None the less... On the right path!
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 26th of October 2011 11:43:21 PM
SD 396 said
Oct 27, 2011
I am using Taylor Thunder Volt 8.2mm wires on my big block with headers. They are universal so you have to put the cap end boots on. They have a 135 degree boot and I have no problems with them at all. They are black with gold lettering. When I was cruising Woodward this past summer the car got really hot but had no effect on the wires.
The part number is 83053 if you are interested.
I also have a new set of GM spark plug heat shields if you are going to use them.
73SC said
Oct 27, 2011
Thanks for info and offer Brad.
What is the consensus about using shields, I know they are used in a lot of GMC applications.
Stephenzone said
Oct 27, 2011
ever though of making your own plug wires. i had bought a plug wire crimper years ago for my motorcycles and it gets used for all the old projects.
73SC said
Oct 27, 2011
Stephenzone wrote:
ever though of making your own plug wires. i had bought a plug wire crimper years ago for my motorcycles and it gets used for all the old projects.
Yes I have thought about that too. Good winter project possibly.
4SPEED427 said
Oct 27, 2011
Stephenzone wrote:
ever though of making your own plug wires. i had bought a plug wire crimper years ago for my motorcycles and it gets used for all the old projects.
I made my Acadian set. It's sure nice. You can tuck them in where they belong.
Stephenzone said
Oct 27, 2011
73SC wrote:
Stephenzone wrote:
ever though of making your own plug wires. i had bought a plug wire crimper years ago for my motorcycles and it gets used for all the old projects.
Yes I have thought about that too. Good winter project possibly.
you buy the coffee and i can show up with the crimpers. not a big job, get a set of universals with the appropiate ends and bob is your uncle
67Poncho said
Oct 27, 2011
Stephenzone wrote:
ever though of making your own plug wires. i had bought a plug wire crimper years ago for my motorcycles and it gets used for all the old projects.
Yes, I do that as well... Alot of times here in the shop when you pull the end out of a wire pulling it off the plug, I just reattach...
I use to save the original wires off of the trucks that had numbers printed on them wit the 90 degree boots. Then I would save wires from cars with the 3.8's that had 180 degree boots and transfer those onto the the truck wires with the numbers.
I believe both of my EFI'ed '67's with the original rams horns, have numbered straight booted cut to length wires on them....
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Thursday 27th of October 2011 12:55:28 PM
Paulish said
Oct 27, 2011
I use MSD black with silver boots...
73SC said
Oct 27, 2011
Paulish wrote:
I use MSD black with silver boots...
Ooooo, lets see a photo of those
Paulish said
Oct 27, 2011
This is kind of a crappy pic. Kind of the best view I had of them on my pc...Hope this helps. If you want a better pic I can take one tomarow. MSD wires and the wire holder / loom kit is GM from the 502. There isnt a better way to hold your wires out there. Think it was about $20 for the wire holder thingy. Think the wires were in the $70 range but ive had them a long time.
-- Edited by Paulish on Thursday 27th of October 2011 09:16:25 PM
73SC said
Oct 27, 2011
That gives me a good idea, pretty much a look I would go for, thanks. My OEM chrome valve covers have built on looms.
-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 27th of October 2011 09:15:18 PM
Looking for recommendations on ignition wires to run on my 454 with non HEI distributor. I transfered my small blockset for now to get the engine running but know that I need straight boots to clear the headers.
I am not a fan of coloured wires so prefer grey or black, similar to OEM look. Original style AC Delco 508R are available from my local dealer for $60 but I am not sure how they will fair vs. headers.
Suggestions please.
msd has a set of black wires/gray boots, HEI ends. not sure if they make them with point cap ends...
Carl, look up a set for a 366 grain truck with shields!!! That is what I have in my '70 with the 454 and headers..... Been there since it conception back in '93...
I guess that would help though, good point.
Maybe able to find good used! Also, Ray can check in his neck of the woods?
Big swap meet coming up soon at International Centre near Toronto airport.
Found these on Ebay:
8.5mm Spark Plug Wires 65-75 GMC 366,396,402,427,454 V8
MAXX Performance 8.5mm Ferrite Spiral Core Spark Plug Wires
MAXX Performance 8.5mm Ferrite Spiral Core Spark Plug Wires have a resistance of 500 Ohms per foot. All wires are wrapped in a 500°F heat resistant thick silicone jacket to protect against current leakage and eliminates arcing.
Each set of MAXX Performance wires comes with heavy duty wire separators.
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 26th of October 2011 11:42:10 PM
Oh, I just realized, you still have points in that car... The wires I was talking about was for an H.E.I... None the less... On the right path!
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 26th of October 2011 11:43:21 PM
I am using Taylor Thunder Volt 8.2mm wires on my big block with headers. They are universal so you have to put the cap end boots on. They have a 135 degree boot and I have no problems with them at all. They are black with gold lettering.
When I was cruising Woodward this past summer the car got really hot but had no effect on the wires.
The part number is 83053 if you are interested.
I also have a new set of GM spark plug heat shields if you are going to use them.
Thanks for info and offer Brad.
What is the consensus about using shields, I know they are used in a lot of GMC applications.
Yes I have thought about that too. Good winter project possibly.
I made my Acadian set. It's sure nice. You can tuck them in where they belong.
you buy the coffee and i can show up with the crimpers. not a big job, get a set of universals with the appropiate ends and bob is your uncle
Yes, I do that as well... Alot of times here in the shop when you pull the end out of a wire pulling it off the plug, I just reattach...
I use to save the original wires off of the trucks that had numbers printed on them wit the 90 degree boots. Then I would save wires from cars with the 3.8's that had 180 degree boots and transfer those onto the the truck wires with the numbers.
I believe both of my EFI'ed '67's with the original rams horns, have numbered straight booted cut to length wires on them....
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Thursday 27th of October 2011 12:55:28 PM
I use MSD black with silver boots...
Ooooo, lets see a photo of those
This is kind of a crappy pic. Kind of the best view I had of them on my pc...Hope this helps. If you want a better pic I can take one tomarow. MSD wires and the wire holder / loom kit is GM from the 502. There isnt a better way to hold your wires out there. Think it was about $20 for the wire holder thingy. Think the wires were in the $70 range but ive had them a long time.
-- Edited by Paulish on Thursday 27th of October 2011 09:16:25 PM
That gives me a good idea, pretty much a look I would go for, thanks. My OEM chrome valve covers have built on looms.
-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 27th of October 2011 09:15:18 PM