General Discussion Discuss your Oldsmobile or other car-related topics.

Ignition Wires

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 14, 2010 | 02:26 PM
  #1  
johnspd22's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 128
From: LI, NY
Ignition Wires

Just looking for an opinion from the educated masses.

I have been working on my engine compartment this winter and I am ready to chuck out the old "blue" 8 mm wires along with the standard heavy duty blue distributor cap, that I put on around 10 years ago. These were cool back then, but I am looking for the stock look now.

Got a Standard black cap and an old set of stock type 7 mm wires that I never used. Have a slightly hi-po'd ginition with a MSD 6A (disguised wiring and unit in glove compartment).

Just wondering if I would be holding back the ignition or not? I was just looking to save the extra $40-$50 bucks for a new set of black 8mm wires.

Blew the budget with all the other tinkering.

Thanks for your opinion.
Old Feb 14, 2010 | 03:51 PM
  #2  
70 cutlass s's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,489
From: KY
The wires I like to use are the Accel Custom Fit 8.8mm.
Old Feb 14, 2010 | 04:07 PM
  #3  
Oldsguy's Avatar
Past Administrator
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,349
From: Rural Waxahachie Texas
If I were in your shoes I would use the 7mm wires and wait to see if I noticed any detriment in performance. If so, then replace them. You aren't out anything by trying them now.
Old Feb 14, 2010 | 05:27 PM
  #4  
johnspd22's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 128
From: LI, NY
True. Just hate doing things twice.

Thanks.
Old Feb 15, 2010 | 04:14 AM
  #5  
Destructor's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 743
From: Braintree, Mass
Standard ignition wires work well on my 70. They hold up and the boots don't break when you remove them.
Old Feb 15, 2010 | 04:21 AM
  #6  
Aceshigh's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,212
From: USA
Originally Posted by 70 cutlass s
The wires I like to use are the Accel Custom Fit 8.8mm.
Either these or MSD SuperConductors.

That's what I put in. I think you should always upgrade
when you have to replace something. Just my .02

It's 2010......not 1970
Old Feb 15, 2010 | 08:51 AM
  #7  
johnspd22's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 128
From: LI, NY
Do the accel come in black?
Old Feb 15, 2010 | 08:57 AM
  #8  
70 cutlass s's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,489
From: KY
Yes they do.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
accel.jpg (23.5 KB, 9 views)
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 05:59 AM
  #9  
Olds64's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,133
From: Edmond, OK
I've used the Accel Custom Fit kits before. It is nice since you can get the sparkplug wires loomed properly and have wires tailored to your engine; however, I didn't like them because they didn't seem very durable. Boots came off often, and sometimes the clips at the end of the spark plug wire came off. Maybe if there was a heavy duty cutom fit kit?

FWIW, I bought the Taylor 9mm wires.
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 06:04 AM
  #10  
Destructor's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 743
From: Braintree, Mass
The Accel wires that the previous owner put on my car were total junk. Same thing, I went to remove the wire and the boot tore off and a number of clips remained on the plug. I threw them all away and used Standard ignition wires, durable and ran smoother afterwards. That was some time ago so maybe their products have improved. Nothing with the Accel name has since gone on my car.
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 06:23 AM
  #11  
70 cutlass s's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,489
From: KY
I've only had good luck out of Accel. Had one set that was on the car for five years when I sold it was still running good. There are other good brands too. On something stock. Stock plugs wires work ok. When you have something built up and with headers and a hot coil. Your going to need a better plug wire.
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 01:04 PM
  #12  
svnt442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293
From: Palm Bay, FL
I have a very simple solution to the boot and clip issue. Just spray some white lithium grease into the boot before you install it onto the spark plug. I have been doing this for years and it works every time. The boots just slide off and the clip comes nice and easy.

As far as the 7mm wires you won't see any drop in performance, you just run a higher risk of arcing due to the lower amount of insulation vs 8mm wires.

Last edited by svnt442; Feb 16, 2010 at 07:34 PM.
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 06:59 PM
  #13  
johnspd22's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 128
From: LI, NY
Been looking at the Taylor 8mm set myself. What's another $50 bucks......
Old Feb 17, 2010 | 04:36 AM
  #14  
Blk71SX's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 411
From: NW Arkansas
Originally Posted by Oldsguy
If I were in your shoes I would use the 7mm wires and wait to see if I noticed any detriment in performance. If so, then replace them. You aren't out anything by trying them now.

there ya go!


Taylor Spiro Pro wires come in a multitude of colors and are an excellent product. Accels, not so much.

I have Taylors on 4 of 5 of my vehicles
Old Feb 17, 2010 | 05:24 AM
  #15  
Olds64's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,133
From: Edmond, OK
Just spray some white lithium grease into the boot before you install it onto the spark plug.
I wonder how that effects the spark? I usually put di-electric grease on the sparkplugs and sparkplug wires; however, I thought it was silicone based.
Old Feb 17, 2010 | 06:15 AM
  #16  
Aceshigh's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,212
From: USA
Originally Posted by svnt442
I have a very simple solution to the boot and clip issue. Just spray some white lithium grease into the boot before you install it onto the spark plug. I have been doing this for years
Originally Posted by Olds64
I wonder how that effects the spark?
I was curious myself so I looked it up.
Look at the description of what to use it for. "Spark Plugs"
http://www.sprayadhesives.com/lubric...ium_grease.htm
Old Feb 17, 2010 | 06:36 AM
  #17  
Blk71SX's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 411
From: NW Arkansas
Originally Posted by Olds64
I wonder how that effects the spark? I usually put di-electric grease on the sparkplugs and sparkplug wires; however, I thought it was silicone based.

many manufacturers will supply a small packet of the grease with their wires for just that purpose.

a little dab'll do ya
Old Feb 17, 2010 | 06:38 AM
  #18  
Nilsson's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,076
From: Columbus, OH
I use silicon based dielectric grease myself. The counter @ any auto parts store has the little squeeze packets for about a buck each.
Old Feb 17, 2010 | 07:40 AM
  #19  
Olds64's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,133
From: Edmond, OK
I've always used di-electric grease. I still had problems with the Accel spark plug wires. Of course, the spark plug wires were a few years old. I like the Taylors I have now.
Old Feb 17, 2010 | 12:37 PM
  #20  
svnt442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293
From: Palm Bay, FL
A lot of the wires we sell actually have grease in the boots these days, but not all.
I don't think any of the high performance ones do anyway.
Old Feb 18, 2010 | 08:21 PM
  #21  
71 Cutlass's Avatar
One of None W-31
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 671
From: Texas
Have used Taylor wires and MSD...like them both.
Old Feb 20, 2010 | 10:28 AM
  #22  
mugzilla's Avatar
is Fast Enough ...
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,308
From: dogtown
One word ....

Copper terminal stock distributor cap ...
Old Feb 20, 2010 | 10:32 AM
  #23  
mugzilla's Avatar
is Fast Enough ...
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,308
From: dogtown
Originally Posted by Aceshigh
Either these or MSD SuperConductors.

That's what I put in. I think you should always upgrade
when you have to replace something. Just my .02

It's 2010......not 1970
When I replaced my fan clutch I used a Heavy Duty GM fan clutdh ...

There are a lot of "Factory" upgrades ...

I get mine from a shop that is also a factory part source ...
Old Feb 20, 2010 | 10:35 AM
  #24  
mugzilla's Avatar
is Fast Enough ...
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,308
From: dogtown
Oh Yeh , I have a petronix flamethrower w/ matching coil and new GM 7mm black wires ...


good for 15.9 sec @ 90+ mph ...

Last edited by mugzilla; Feb 20, 2010 at 10:37 AM.
Old Feb 20, 2010 | 03:42 PM
  #25  
johnspd22's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 128
From: LI, NY
In regards to the cap with copper terminals, I was very surprised to see the Standard Ignition "black cap" that always used to have aluminum terminals, now has copper.

Or maybe I am just retarded, and it always had copper terminals.

Either way, it was a pleasant surprise.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Olds luvr
Electrical
25
Dec 17, 2016 02:26 PM
Hawghead
Electrical
8
Jul 18, 2014 12:51 PM
stevengerard
Electrical
17
Sep 2, 2013 11:48 PM
J-(Chicago)
Other
1
Dec 28, 2007 07:30 PM
Pinner
Transmission
0
Mar 15, 2007 04:31 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:39 AM.