Is a plug wire a plug wire?
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New User
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Orlando, FL
Is a plug wire a plug wire?
Hi, little bit of newbie help please-
Slowly been checking out my fairly new-to-me 78 F150 4x4 with 400, pulling the plugs this morning to see what the prev owner put in. And of course I yanked out two of the plug wires/boots from the metal crimp end.
Suckers didn't want to let go of the spark plugs! I can fix it and crimp it back on to get it going, but I should probably replace them with a newer known quantity.
So other than an 8mm plug wire, what exactly are you paying for? Looking at O'Reilly or AutoZone, it ranges from $25 generic to a Motorcraft $50 to super flashy whiz bang colored $60+
What's really the difference?
And I do intend to replace all the plugs, they are platinums, so will get 8 Motorcraft copper while I'm at it.
Thanks for your opinions!
Slowly been checking out my fairly new-to-me 78 F150 4x4 with 400, pulling the plugs this morning to see what the prev owner put in. And of course I yanked out two of the plug wires/boots from the metal crimp end.
Suckers didn't want to let go of the spark plugs! I can fix it and crimp it back on to get it going, but I should probably replace them with a newer known quantity.So other than an 8mm plug wire, what exactly are you paying for? Looking at O'Reilly or AutoZone, it ranges from $25 generic to a Motorcraft $50 to super flashy whiz bang colored $60+
What's really the difference?
And I do intend to replace all the plugs, they are platinums, so will get 8 Motorcraft copper while I'm at it.
Thanks for your opinions!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
The insulation is just as important as the conductor, maybe more. Good quality materials cost more than the cheap stuff. They have to be able to stand up to the heat of the exhaust manifolds which can get cherry red when hauling heavy loads. Sometimes they'll use weasel words in their description leading one to believe they are 100% silicone insulated wire when they contain only a small percentage.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
If you want good replacement wires without the gimmicks associated look at buying a set of Packard wires. They are the last USA made wires. I also highly suggest using grease on the new boots and use spark plug wire pliers for future removal so you don't break wires.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Orlando, FL
Thanks to both for some advice, I'll read the descriptions closer now to see what they say about silicone. Other than Packard what else are folks here commonly buying? What kind of price range is the comfort zone?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
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From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
I bought some MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor because of their lower resistance and because I got a "special" price which made their otherwise pricey cost at bit more tolerable. They come in black or red. As mentioned, you can get some boot grease and/or insulators to put over the boots to discourage them bonding to the plugs.
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bashby
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Dec 12, 2010 09:41 AM
