I've detected increasing combustion misses in my 292 motor (`55 F-100) and will soon commence with inspection of plugs, points, and such. As I ponder, plan and preparation (the 3-P's) I've noticed that the plug wires a routed a metal ring/hoop on either side of the bellhousing. ????

Is this "standard" and is there no concern for (forgot term used) cross fire... where the energy impluse from one wire seeps, jumps, or otherwise causes an empathetic pulse in a adjacent wire and thus a false spark and missed timing.

Not sure if I splained this right or if I even have a grasp on what I heard cept that running certain plug wire paralell to each other on certain motors will certainly cause a mis-fire. Is "mushing" all those plug wires through that tiny hoop a cause for concern?

Brian

 

yes its right.just try to trace them.it looks neet but try to work on them.

 

There are a couple of pictures here Earl's World of a stock 272 (same as 292) showing the plug wiring around the rear of the engine. As you've noted, the wire holders at the top and bottom rear are stock items. I haven't noticed any problems with my 272 which was recently rebuilt as you see it. On the other hand, I probably couldn't recognize the sounds of an engine with cross-firing wires either.

 

Brian, I know on some engines that the spark can jump from one plug wire to another and cause a pre ignition on the wrong cylinder or just a miss. Chevy V8s on cylinders 5 and 7 do this all the time and if you keep those 2 wires away from each other it is fine. I havent noticed any of this on my 272. If you are using good plug wires you shouldn't have that kind of problem any way.

 

The factory wire routing behind the block IS NOTORIOUS for voltage breakdown problems. Ive made up looms for several Y blocks from various aftermarket items including the SBC. May not look stock but no more problems. If you dont mind modifying the valve covers then you can tack on small brackets and use inconspicuous plastic wire spacers available everywhere.
A good quality wire will form around the exhaust with plenty of clearance.

 

any pictures of different rounting methods?? thanks

 

I am having the same problem but I have used stand offs on my valve covers. I THINk # 2 AND 7 ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM . What if we put somthing maybe rubber between the two to see if it helps????