PLUG WIRES

steemin · Mar 24, 2006

Some of you may have seen or responded to my posts regarding spark plug arcing issues I am experiencing. I am seeing arcing at the boots to the headers as well as the plug wires themselves arcing against the valve covers.
I had a couple of experienced car guys look at my car and they immediately commented on the fact that my plug wires were not adequately separated.
My coil wire is laying across the plug wires (bad).
And the rest of the wires are touching/laying on each other as well as the valve covers.

Is it reasonable to assume that this is probably causing my arcing issues?

What performance related issues can be caused by arcing?

And more importantly what suggestions can be offered to clean up and organize my (Ford Racing 9mm) plug wires?

As a side note I do not believe that I have enough space to utilize a separator/loom that mounts to the valve covers.
Thanks,
Scott

iskwezm · Mar 24, 2006

I have a mess of wires too, but no arching, im guessing the FMS wires arent that great of quality. I have MSD wires with no problems.

68torinogt · Mar 24, 2006

i have taylor's and still no problem

John Z · Mar 24, 2006

Is it reasonable to assume that this is probably causing my arcing issues?

YES

What performance related issues can be caused by arcing?

missing, backfire

And more importantly what suggestions can be offered to clean up and organize my (Ford Racing 9mm) plug wires?

Search internet for spark plug wire seperators Ford 302

As a side note I do not believe that I have enough space to utilize a separator/loom that mounts to the valve covers.

HMMM what is in the way and can it be moved?

steemin · Mar 24, 2006

Thanks for all of the quick replies...
There is zero organization to my plug wires...
It is like a wire orgy under my hood
Even though all plug wires are supposed to be insulated..
(albeit some better than others) it does make sense to me that this could cause the problems I am experiencing.
I am going to first try and separate ALL of the wires with zip ties
(temporary fix) and see what the results are..If that works I am going to find some nice looking functional separators to dress up the engine compartment.
If it doesn't work I will look at purchasing a new set of plug wires.
I hope to get this done by next wed. as my car is scheduled to go in for a tune and some dyno time!
Scott

iskwezm · Mar 24, 2006

steemin said:
Thanks for all of the quick replies...
There is zero organization to my plug wires...
It is like a wire orgy under my hood
Even though all plug wires are supposed to be insulated..
(albeit some better than others) it does make sense to me that this could cause the problems I am experiencing.
I am going to first try and separate ALL of the wires with zip ties
(temporary fix) and see what the results are..If that works I am going to find some nice looking functional separators to dress up the engine compartment.
If it doesn't work I will look at purchasing a new set of plug wires.
I hope to get this done by next wed. as my car is scheduled to go in for a tune and some dyno time!
Scott

I say skip all the headaches and just get new wires. If the wires are that cheap that they leak the spark if it next to ANYTHING, are you sure you want those wires????

thehueypilot · Mar 24, 2006

I have those exact wires with no issues even with them being two years old. Maybe yours have deep cuts in the insulation?

D.Hearne · Mar 24, 2006

I've got the same wires on several of my vehicles and none of them experience spark-overs. The set on my 95 E150's 351 are well over three years old now and they're holding up fine. Better than any other wires I've tried on it. The engine's up inside a closed box which is about the worst environment you could ask for plug wires to last in. I usually use a set for about two years then toss them, even though they still work fine. If you're seeing the flash over at night, that's pretty much what you'll see from any plug wires, none are 100% immune to this phenomenon.

fastback brian · Mar 24, 2006

If you have msd box then you need to get a good wire from msd, moroso or taylor. if you dont have box then just get the cheap wires from autozone. I like to ziptie the plug wires together in a neat manner, if they are a good wire then they wont arc. you just need to keep them clean and away from heat. This would also be a good time to check your spark plugs, maybe regap them down a bit or swap them for a new set of NGK's.

66forfun · Mar 25, 2006

if you going for dyno time to tune you should at least change all the filters (gas,oil,air) and give it the basic tune up (plugs/wires if necessary in your case they are/cap/rotor) beforehand. you may wat to take different heat range plugs with you as well.

MitchGT · Mar 26, 2006

fastback brian had a good point about regapping the plugs. If you have too much gap the spark will find an easier path to ground, like the valve covers.

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