Changing spark plug wires?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Changing spark plug wires?
I just read this:
Yesterday, I had to take them all off and the distributor cap in order to make room to remove some of the plugs. I have to put them all back on now, but does it matter the order which I put them back on? As long as the spark plug is connected to the right post on the cap, I should be fine, correct? I made a diagram of what plug was connected to what post on the cap, so I thought I would be ok. Am I screwed?
Thanks.
Don't take all the spark plug wires off at once, even if they're numbered. Remove and replace the spark plug wires one at a time. They must go back on the distributor cap in exactly the same order they came off, or you'll have changed the "firing order" and your car may run badly or not at all. You can cause expensive damage by switching the order of the plug wires.
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Quad Cities, IA
If I'm reading your question correctly, the answer is "no, it doesn't matter which plug wire you attach in what order", as long as they are all running from the correct spot on the dist. cap to the proper spark plug.
What your quote there is meaning, if you switch the wires around so that they're no longer going from the proper post on the cap to the right plug, you've changed your firing order, and that's where the damage can occur. Most people like doing them one wire at a time to save confusion later. I myself have had a couple of times where I've put the wires on wrong. Just take your time, follow the firing order, make sure you have your wires going to the right plugs, and you should be fine.
What your quote there is meaning, if you switch the wires around so that they're no longer going from the proper post on the cap to the right plug, you've changed your firing order, and that's where the damage can occur. Most people like doing them one wire at a time to save confusion later. I myself have had a couple of times where I've put the wires on wrong. Just take your time, follow the firing order, make sure you have your wires going to the right plugs, and you should be fine.
Last edited by Wild Karrde; Jan 27, 2008 at 06:55 PM.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
I usually change cap wires one at a time and plug wires one at a time. This is so I don't get mixed up on the firing order. With practice you can do it all at once, especially if you can memorize the firing order.
My short term memory is getting bad these days so I try to keep it simple.
You can do the replacement in any order that you want, but just keep the wires in the proper location.
Always remember K I S S.
My short term memory is getting bad these days so I try to keep it simple.
You can do the replacement in any order that you want, but just keep the wires in the proper location.
Always remember K I S S.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
The only thing to watch out for is on a 302, the #7 and #8 sparkplug wires. They are next to each other in the firing order, and also physically next to each other. If you run these wires side by side like you would normally do for a neat appearance, you can get a misfire from the spark jumping from one wire to the other. They need to be run on opposite ends of the wiring separators.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Ok. It was the sentence, "...must go back on the distributor cap in exactly the same order they came off". For some reason I got all confused like, well I took number 6 off first and then I took number 4 off next. I need to put them back on in that order? And that confused me (I confuse easily sometimes).
But I have the firing order diagrammed, so I could put them back on in the right order.
Thanks for confirming I just confuse easily.
But I have the firing order diagrammed, so I could put them back on in the right order.
Thanks for confirming I just confuse easily.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Just make sure they go back to the correct plugs. It does not matter which one you put on first or last, so long as they are attached to the correct plug.
As for the firing order, it's easy to remember for a I-6. Many years ago my father taught me a little rhyme to keep track of an I-6 firing order. 15 is too young, 36 is too old, 24 is just right. I tried to argue with him about that, since I was only 14 or 15 myself at the time....... These days, 36 even looks good to me........ But 15 will get ya 20 to life.
As for the firing order, it's easy to remember for a I-6. Many years ago my father taught me a little rhyme to keep track of an I-6 firing order. 15 is too young, 36 is too old, 24 is just right. I tried to argue with him about that, since I was only 14 or 15 myself at the time....... These days, 36 even looks good to me........ But 15 will get ya 20 to life.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Ok, another point that I'm not understanding.
I bought new wires. This is a V6. I have 5 of one kind of wire, 2 of another and 1 of another. I thought I would have only 7 wires, one to each plug and then one from the ignition coil to the distributor. What other wire do I need to connect?
Second, I would expect 6 of one kind (one to each plug) and 2 of another. Which spark plug gets left out of the bunch-of-5? Do I use the 1 that's not like any of the others on the left out spark plug?
Third, getting the distributor cap off was difficult, to say the least. In fact, I had to use a socket wrench to remove the one screw. Unfortunately, this split the screw in two. So I got the screw "off" and the cap off, but the bottom of the screw is still stuck into the distributor body/adapter? Not sure what the cap screws onto, but there's half a screw still in there. How do I get that out?
Thanks.
I bought new wires. This is a V6. I have 5 of one kind of wire, 2 of another and 1 of another. I thought I would have only 7 wires, one to each plug and then one from the ignition coil to the distributor. What other wire do I need to connect?
Second, I would expect 6 of one kind (one to each plug) and 2 of another. Which spark plug gets left out of the bunch-of-5? Do I use the 1 that's not like any of the others on the left out spark plug?
Third, getting the distributor cap off was difficult, to say the least. In fact, I had to use a socket wrench to remove the one screw. Unfortunately, this split the screw in two. So I got the screw "off" and the cap off, but the bottom of the screw is still stuck into the distributor body/adapter? Not sure what the cap screws onto, but there's half a screw still in there. How do I get that out?
Thanks.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
It's not a v6, it's a straight six.
They have the same wire kit for different trucks. As long as you replace 7 wires, you're fine. If you have an extra, it's just that, an extra.
Try vise-grips on the screw. But be careful, if you crack the housing you will need a new distributor. And if you're having this much trouble replacing plug wires, you don't want to be installing a new distributor.
They have the same wire kit for different trucks. As long as you replace 7 wires, you're fine. If you have an extra, it's just that, an extra.
Try vise-grips on the screw. But be careful, if you crack the housing you will need a new distributor. And if you're having this much trouble replacing plug wires, you don't want to be installing a new distributor.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Straight 6. Right. Got it.
Extra pieces?! You mean I'm going to have extra pieces when I'm done this? I usually do, but I thought that was a mistake, not on purpose.
I changed my plugs/wires/etc. on my Wrangler back in the day and I don't remember getting extra wires in the deal. And I'm still not clear why there's 3 different kinds. 2 different kinds I could understand, but 3 just throws me for a loop.
Thanks for the help.
Extra pieces?! You mean I'm going to have extra pieces when I'm done this? I usually do, but I thought that was a mistake, not on purpose.
I changed my plugs/wires/etc. on my Wrangler back in the day and I don't remember getting extra wires in the deal. And I'm still not clear why there's 3 different kinds. 2 different kinds I could understand, but 3 just throws me for a loop.
Thanks for the help.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Quad Cities, IA
I always figure if you don't have parts left over after a job, you're doing it wrong.
I'm kidding (mostly). So far, every wireset I've ever bought for all my Ford vehicles have had an extra wire. It's usually exactly the same length as one of the others, but has a different plug on one end... such as a 45* angle vs a straight or a 90*...
On my old Mustang, it came with two different coil wires. One had a larger diameter boot on one end.
I'm kidding (mostly). So far, every wireset I've ever bought for all my Ford vehicles have had an extra wire. It's usually exactly the same length as one of the others, but has a different plug on one end... such as a 45* angle vs a straight or a 90*...
On my old Mustang, it came with two different coil wires. One had a larger diameter boot on one end.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
This is a fun hobby.
My biggest issue now is getting that half a screw out. Otherwise I can't screw down the distributor cap. It's only coming out about an 1/8 or a 1/4 on the end side, so there's hardly anything for me to grab on to and unscrew it. Is drilling it out the only option? Besides putting in a whole new distributor I guess.
My biggest issue now is getting that half a screw out. Otherwise I can't screw down the distributor cap. It's only coming out about an 1/8 or a 1/4 on the end side, so there's hardly anything for me to grab on to and unscrew it. Is drilling it out the only option? Besides putting in a whole new distributor I guess.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Some newer wire sets come with 2 coil wires. Older coils had a female plug in them, and the newer ones have a male end, like the spark plugs and most dist caps.
As for the odd plug wire, 2-6 usually get a straight boot on the plug, and 1 gets a 90. This is due to the air pump tube that normally goes over the front of the engine, in the area of the #1 sparkplug.
As for the odd plug wire, 2-6 usually get a straight boot on the plug, and 1 gets a 90. This is due to the air pump tube that normally goes over the front of the engine, in the area of the #1 sparkplug.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bryanblaylock
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
3
Jun 13, 2013 07:38 PM
moodyfam9
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Dec 3, 2012 08:05 PM
oldblue89
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Aug 3, 2010 11:53 AM
wildjon300ci
General NON-Automotive Conversation
31
May 22, 2003 01:13 PM