spark plug wires and PerTronix...

truckster · Post by **truckster** » November 17, 2010, 1:57 pm

I have a 1964 f100 with the 223. I already have the Pertronix Ignitor electronic ignition and i'm about to upgrade to the 40,000 volt 3.0 ohm coil. might as well replace the wires too. Just looking for a better spark. Anyone had better luck with certain plug wires or is one as good as the other?

thanks for the input fellas

DukeRoche · Post by **DukeRoche** » November 17, 2010, 4:49 pm

Not really an expert but I got the same engine you have and the motorcraft brand always works well for me. Just me though...

Roger Carter · Post by **Roger Carter** » November 17, 2010, 4:53 pm

Typically, good ones ain't cheap and cheap ones ain't good.
I have always had good luck with Motorcraft parts.
Roger Carter

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » November 17, 2010, 7:22 pm

Jeg's has a pretty good selection.
I've always used Mallory parts.
I would caution you about straight copper cored wires because of the static feedback thru your radio.
U.S.

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » November 17, 2010, 11:43 pm

I used pertronix wires when I had an ignitor 2. I would not hesitate to use them again.

slick4x4 · Post by **slick4x4** » November 17, 2010, 11:51 pm

Uncle Skip wrote:I would caution you about straight copper cored wires because of the static feedback thru your radio.U.S.

Radio ?

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » November 18, 2010, 12:17 am

Uncle Skip wrote:I would caution you about straight copper cored wires because of the static feedback thru your radio.
U.S.

RADIO?

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » November 18, 2010, 12:49 am

X3 radio?

was ist das?

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » November 18, 2010, 7:49 am

Radio, thats like a CB that dont shut up, yall.

Post by **Greg D** » November 18, 2010, 7:46 pm

Some of us actually have a radio in their truck though.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » November 18, 2010, 9:19 pm

i have a radio, but i wasn't aware that sound was supposed to come out of it. i thought they were just for show.

Post by **Greg D** » November 18, 2010, 9:23 pm

LOL, I haven't tried to see if it works yet. I have replaced the face on it with a good one since that pic though. I kept the one that came off too, don't know if the plastic can be polished back clear - should look at it one of these days (I just put it in a box).

slick4x4 · Post by **slick4x4** » November 18, 2010, 9:52 pm

is that what that thing is for ???
i turned it to 72* .... but it never did blow out any cold air

frdnut · Post by **frdnut** » November 19, 2010, 12:20 am

Greg D wrote:Some of us actually have a radio in their truck though.

Dang that must be a powerful one to bust your windshield! :)

Tech · Post by **Tech** » November 19, 2010, 1:10 am

MSD and Motorcraft are both good choices. They have a stainless wire wrapped around the graphite core. It makes them considerably tougher and increases the life expectancy of the wires.
A cheap set will generally fail about the third time you remove it from the plug. Stressing the wire breaks the graphite fibers this makes a spark gap inside the wire, it will rapidly deteriorate into a dead wire. 8mm wire has better insulation than the factory 7mm. This is important if you open up the plug gap to .044" +- for a hotter spark to take advantage of those new parts. It's worth a few HP and should run better when cold.
Jeff

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » November 23, 2010, 3:52 am

the Pertronix was the single best thing i ever did.

For plug wires, I'm running bottom of the barrel 7 mm triple silicone Autozone wires.....

I paid like $40 for them, and have already traded them out a few times on lifetime replacement. Each time was entirely my fault..... Once I cut one, another time, I accidentally ripped the contact off, was stuck on the plug and i didnt twist and squeeze good enough....

I have no problem at all with them. And I'm running an MSD 2AL.....

I vote for Lifetime Replacement.... Regardless of price! Especially if it's cheap! lol

psylocke024 · Post by **psylocke024** » May 30, 2011, 9:42 am

Consider the spark plug wires' insulation capacity when planning to replace them. Also take note of the quality of the wires. Some may be a bit expensive but it's the quality we are paying here. Cheap ones might give you electric shock or interference to other electronic devices in your truck.

oldtrucks · Post by **oldtrucks** » May 30, 2011, 12:47 pm

I've been using MSD Street Fire wires they are reasonably priced and work really well and last a long time. Of course I use MSD ignition box with the stock Dura Spark distrubiter on all my stuff. This has proven to be a reliable combo for me. Never had any problems with this setup.

I just bought the new Street Fire MSD box for the 77 F350 its all digital and has a built in rev limiter. With this setup I can open the plug gap up to .050 which really helps. Haven't got it installed yet. I will do an install write up. Its really a generic set up that can be used on just about anything 12 volt. I am going to convert the 62 dizzy to duraspark and the MSD box and Street Fire wires eventually.

psylocke024 · Post by **psylocke024** » May 30, 2011, 10:51 pm

psylocke024 wrote:Consider the spark plug wires' insulation capacity when planning to replace them. Also take note of the quality of the wires. Some may be a bit expensive but it's the quality we are paying here. Cheap ones might give you electric shock or interference to other electronic devices in your truck.

I also use MSD Street Fire wires, I agree with the reasonable price and the last long use. I never doubt about its quality and I highly recommend it.

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » May 30, 2011, 11:42 pm

Greg D wrote:LOL, I haven't tried to see if it works yet. I have replaced the face on it with a good one since that pic though. I kept the one that came off too, don't know if the plastic can be polished back clear - should look at it one of these days (I just put it in a box).

use a new cloth buffing wheel with white buff compound and it will come up like new!, I did a mates spinner inserts for his Galaxie, they looked like your radio dial to start and ended up like new!