Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

I had placed the wires in a box when I did my teardown years ago and planned to reuse them but I am seeing ripped boots and a melted wire. The L31 I think is the same firing order and all as the previous 350 I had before I swapped. The plan was to reference my pics of the teardown and follow the cylinder numbers I marked at the plug end and the numeric order I marked on the distributor cap. It wasnt a firing order numbering just a left right in order so I plugged up the right spots again.

I was thinking to get an AC Delco set of wires since I have bought new plugs that are AC Delco Part # R44LTS. Is there any particular year and models to search by that would give me the right length to hopefully dodge the headers where it might melt? I would think this time to get heat shield wraps for the boots this time, any that are recommended?

Ill post pics of the teardown and where I am now.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

I used Taylor wires and ordered a set for a 76 Corvette. I ran them under the rams horns just like the factory did. I think that would work for your headers as well.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

With headers your best bet is to buy a set of cut to length wires and put the ends on yourself. Very easy to do.
Run the wires like on a corvette. Down the back of each head and then along the pan rail and up to each plug.
Plug wire brackets are available to do that.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

+1 I use accel cut to fit wires with ceramic spark plug boots.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Accel/110/9002C/10002/-1

You’ll need a good spark plug wire crimping tool like this:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...QaAu09EALw_wcB

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

I have used this same set.
They are Great:metal:









.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

I run the MSD streetfire wires on both my rigs in the stock location with headers . They come with a little crimp tool you put in the vice works like a champ

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

I like the MSD low resistance wire myself as it has proven to be very durable. I had a header tube that was very close to the boot. The boot would die and I would just cut it off and replace the end. I could do this a couple times by leaving the wire long.

As for routing. Under the headers is better looking but I think its a pain to work on them, especially if you ziptie them together. Its ugly but I find spaghetti style over the cover to work the best on my headers. Alot of it really depends on how the tube and plug end occupy the same space. My old headers had 6 wires under and 2 over. I did this purely for wire longevity. I have a solid cam on my motor and its still easier for me to run over the top on this set of headers even though I have to pull the valve cover every once in a while. I do tend to change the plugs more than checking valve lash. I have one wire with the woven sleeve over it thats cut to cover the boot. I had so much radiant heat that the boot would crack after a few thousand miles. I tried all the wire ends other than the ceramic ones.

Looking at your headers make me.gringe. they remind me of a set I had that required shorty plugs for clearance. If that is your case get real comfy with the manufacturers plug guide then cross reference. My shorty was actually a lawn mower plug. By dropping the first letter of that I managed to get a standard plug (identical) for $2. Lawn mower plugs add an extra letter to the front to signify things like brings and Stratton. $5 plug in lawn in garden is $2 in automotive section of Walmart. Price at Walmart last year.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

Thanks for the replies guys, how about the spark plug gap on this new L31 and running AC Delco Part # R44LTS plugs? .045 or .060?

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

The factory started out at .060 when they went to HEI, but switched to .045. I would go with .045.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

Thanks Truckster, I will gap them to .045.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

Ok, I ordered the 67 corvette Taylor set to start with and bought the heat shield sleeves for the boots as well. I tried running them under vs over the top to see if I can make that work. Ill attach pics of what I have and see if you guys think its safe.. and if I wired this thing up right.

I assumed the HEI diagram and the firing order is correct for an L31? I used it as a guide on how to run the wires.

https://static-resources.imageservic...lection-of.jpg

https://static.cargurus.com/images/s...-1600x1200.gif

After running the wires I learned that the driver side header is designed differently than the passenger side. The 1st cylinder exhaust makes it way too tight of a space to sneak a wire into. Every time I tried it just looked like a no go. Maybe the shorty plug that burnin oil mentioned would help give better clearance?

As another option I took the wire and ran it out to the frame and under the engine mount. Not pretty but if I install a clip on the firewall instead of tape it would keep it from dangling onto the back of the header.

Here are some of the pics of that tight spot on the driver side and trying to route the wire under the header.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

Here is the alternate route going out to the frame, under the engine bracket and pinning the wire against the firewall to keep it from touching the exhaust.

Re: Spark plug wires to get and set up?
 

Here are pics of how the other driver side wires then look.