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Spark Plug Wire Suggestion

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by FinoCJ, Feb 7, 2017.

  1. Feb 7, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Looking into new spark plug wires. I have been running what I think are generic summit racing 8mm wires (yellow covering) with suppression core. Any suggestions on preferred wires to buy for V6 with slightly hotter coil (running a flamethrower coil with pertronix)...I've seen focker's thread where he custom cut and fitted his...I like the idea of making them the perfect lengths...but wondering if anyone recommends a premade set? Most of my local flaps here show OEM to be 7mm. Any problem or advantage of going back to 7mm or stay with 8mm given the slightly hotter coil?
     
    FinoCJ, Feb 7, 2017
    #1
  2. Feb 7, 2017
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    I like the 8.5 mm wires from MSD. They are cut to fit and I haven't had any problems with previous ones.
     
    73 cj5, Feb 7, 2017
    #2
  3. Feb 7, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Mine are 8mm Street Fire by MSD. I'd go higher than 7mm with the hotter coil. Making custom lengths are easy and clean.
     
    Focker, Feb 7, 2017
    #3
  4. Feb 7, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Yellow is probably Jegg's. IIRC the generic Summit wires are blue. I have the Summit wires on the CJ-6 and J20, but I'm running the modern post-style cap (HEI style) on both of those. Fits good, but the posts seal much better.

    IME the gray Standard premium wires are silicone jacketed and fit well. #9618 More Information for STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS 9618 Cheap compared to the 8mm custom sets.

    IMO the weak point for the Packard-style (cup seal) wires is the boots, not the wire. Pretty sure there's no option to upgrade to the modern (HEI-style) boots with the factory distributor. Again IME the Standard boots fit well, and are about as good as you can do with the cup seal wires. Get a tube of dielectric grease and lube up the cups and wire ends, for more water and corrosion protection. Amazon.com: Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease, 3 oz. Tube: Automotive
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2017
    timgr, Feb 7, 2017
    #4
  5. Feb 7, 2017
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

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    Jeepenstein, Feb 7, 2017
    #5
  6. Feb 7, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    I think you are correct Tim - thanks. I think the generic JEGS have worked great and seal well at the boots. I tried a pair of Accel wires when I first put in the Pertronix and coil and they did not work well. Seemed to leak current out around the boots at the distributor towers and even through the insulation (or maybe along the outside?) to the valve covers. Created a weak spark with misfire - and an interesting electrical light show with the lights off. I went back to the generic JEGS or whatever they are - worked great.

    Might just get another set of those.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2017
    FinoCJ, Feb 7, 2017
    #6
  7. Feb 7, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    timgr, Feb 7, 2017
    #7
  8. Feb 8, 2017
    wasillashack

    wasillashack Member

    Wasilla, Alaska
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    Have to agree with Timgr, at some point you reach a point of no improvement in quality for large increase in cost. For example extensive testing has shown little or no increase in measurable performance difference between genuine Delco HEI parts and any aftermarket HEI parts, certainly not enough to justify the inflated costs of aftermarket parts. I am speaking of everyday DD engines, not purpose built, won't idle under 3,000 RPM, 15-1 compression ratio engines.
     
    wasillashack, Feb 8, 2017
    #8
  9. Feb 8, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I usually like cut to fit wires, just because I can get the lengths right (I have a spark plug wire crimping tool). Very often, pre made sets are far too long.
    However, I bought a pre made set for my 225 from NAPA (I think they were Echlin brand) that fit very well and weren't expensive.
    I'm running a Pertronix and a hotter coil and no problems with them.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2017
    colojeepguy, Feb 8, 2017
    #9
    73 cj5 likes this.
  10. Feb 8, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    From what I've seen, the Eichlin parts are all from other suppliers and rebranded for Napa. That said, the Napa-branded parts are typically of uniformly good quality, though Napa's prices also seem uniformly higher than name-brand parts at your local independent FLAPS or at RockAuto. IME parts are way cheaper at RockAuto, though you have to deal with shipping and there's no counterperson to help you.
     
    timgr, Feb 8, 2017
    #10
  11. Feb 8, 2017
    Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Napa, Ca
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    Daytona Parts has real copper wire kits with various boots and end fittings. Rear wire like the original.
     
    Greevesman, Feb 8, 2017
    #11
  12. Feb 8, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    Most anything on RA can be found on Amazon too. If you have Prime you'll get free 2 day shipping.

    I spent $40 locally for my plug wires which was more than I wanted to spend, but I wanted them the same day. Plus the set I bought came with the tool and multiple boots for a total custom fit.
     
    Focker, Feb 8, 2017
    #12
  13. Feb 8, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    I like Amazon for parts too (long-time Prime member), but RockAuto is consistently cheaper - sometimes by a lot - if you can put together an order with several items and distribute the shipping across them. Finding what you need on Amazon can be challenging too. Amazon is great for returns though; RockAuto sometimes not.
     
    timgr, Feb 8, 2017
    #13
    73 cj5 and Focker like this.
  14. Feb 8, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Doug - are you v6 225 NAPA wires 7mm?
     
    FinoCJ, Feb 8, 2017
    #14
  15. Feb 8, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Pretty sure they are, yes.
    I will double check when I get home.

    Edit:they are Belden 7mm
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2017
    colojeepguy, Feb 8, 2017
    #15
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