??? - spark plug wires - what are you folks doing?

Status
Not open for further replies.
??? - spark plug wires - what are you folks doing?


 
joe czech said:
nobody's mentioned old school Packard 440 copper core (7mm) plug wires - is there a reason? I have some of this around the shop and ordered up a couple NGK (red) resistor caps. planned on making a couple leads to use with my champion N7YC's
Click to expand...
I prefer RAJAH racing quality bare metal plug connectors. Packard 440 is one good type that could be used with them. I tended to use solid silicone tin coated stranded copper accell or symilar as far superior temperature AND voltage rating. That is what is on my combat now.....
 
How long were the OEM coil wires?
Where do you find the slightly angled coil end boots?
Where do you find the "Champion" plug caps?
Where do you find the dark green suppression wire?


Mk3CoilsWires1.jpg
??? - spark plug wires - what are you folks doing?
??? - spark plug wires - what are you folks doing?
 
National MC Museo has one of those crate Nortons on sweepstake offer right now.
Problem is , after I win it, how can I possibly ride it?
...another museum piece.
 
Onder said:
National MC Museo has one of those crate Nortons on sweepstake offer right now.
Problem is , after I win it, how can I possibly ride it?
...another museum piece.
Click to expand...
Fifty years time it'll be landfill... Set it free from the cage and give it a glorious send off :-)

And just to keep to the script: Tri Spark coils, 'Eagle' 7.0mm 'Ultimate Series' Hi-Temp Silicone Wire Core Cable,
NGK resistor caps and NGK Iridium plugs....
 
Last edited:
@Fast Eddie Yep!

Triple layer of resistance there - no delicate electronics will be upset by that setup!!!

I do wonder if it starts to affect the strength of the spark though the more you attenuate the route from the coil!
...someone, somewhere has probably researched that already.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Aren‘t NGK Iridium plugs all resistor types ?
Click to expand...
Didn't bother (or even think)to change the caps when I put the new plugs in.. Have ordered new ones and will be interested to see if it makes much (if any) difference to starting/running. Which is fine at the moment :-)
 
EstuaryBoy said:
Didn't bother (or even think)to change the caps when I put the new plugs in.. Have ordered new ones and will be interested to see if it makes much (if any) difference to starting/running. Which is fine at the moment :)
Click to expand...

You’ll probably not notice any difference, but it will be interesting to see.

I‘ve been having some interesting insights with my T140 recently, it definitely runs better with standard type copper plugs compared to iridium types. Bit of a thought provoker for me really as I’ve been using Iridium plugs automatically for years...
 
It's looking like a lot of plugs are going the resistor only route... all this means is that non resistor caps need to be fitted and not both together
 
When I bought the bike I had to carry spare plugs due to oiling and carbon issues. Whipped the head off to lap the valves, fit new stem seals and mushroom head adjusters. Switched to Iridium as well and all's been fine since...
As for the carbs (!!!!) different jetting in each one didn't help, junked them for Mikuni, junked that for current SU :-)
olympus said:
It's looking like a lot of plugs are going the resistor only route... all this means is that non resistor caps need to be fitted and not both together
Click to expand...
Or???
 
L.A.B. said:
Click to expand...

That is really interesting LAB. Especially the finding that increased resistance leads to plugs failing to spark when ‘dirty’.

My translation of that in our world is an increased propensity for fouling issues.

The weaker spark is interesting too. I know from my own dyno experiments that stronger sparks are advantageous on our old school type engines (an example being a tuned Tri/BSA triple that gained 5bhp switching from Boyer wasted spark with 4 volt coils to a Tri Spark with a dedicated spark and 12v high output Dyna coils).

All in all, too much resistance is clearly best avoided it would seem.
 
<---That has original 1971 Champion plug wires. They still work, so never had a reason to change. I suppose they are copper core.
 
I changed out my original Champion caps/angled boots and wires a few years ago when i did my resto mod. Mostly because they were totally stiff and brittle.

I was having electric issues and all old the wiring was in need of replacing and so out it all went.

'89

??? - spark plug wires - what are you folks doing?


2015
??? - spark plug wires - what are you folks doing?


I think at some point i must have replaced the original wires with Packard 440.

??? - spark plug wires - what are you folks doing?
 
joe czech said:
when I bought my 74 it came with a couple (new) moroso "blue max" 800 ohm custom fit spark plug wires. yesterday, I pulled them for a resistance check. one measured 770 ohms, which i'm assuming is correct since it about a foot long. the other measured 3.37K ohms, and I have no idea why the reading are that different. i'm running straight champion copper core plugs and tri-spark electronic ignition. with standard twin 6V coils.

anyway, i'd like to sort out the spark plug wires, so my question - what are you folks doing for spark plug wires? tried a little on-line research and i'm getting into information overload. i'm thinking resistive caps, either NGK or champion, and straight 7mm copper core wire - something like Packard 440, and crimping my own, or straight resistive spiral wound wire without 5K boots. I know you need some resistance, but how critical is the 5K ohm number? comments, comments, comments....
Click to expand...
My bet it is the resistor wires. I was having a bear of a time getting my carbs jetting right, and in troubleshooting i discovered one of the new NGK 5k caps measured WAY high. I test them now in the car at the shop.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Nology spark plug wires
Replies
4
Views
1,433
Triton Thrasher
Triton Thrasher
joe czech
  • Locked
several questions - OE spark plug wires
2 3
Replies
48
Views
10,885
joe czech
joe czech
S
  • Locked
spark plug wire problem
Replies
8
Views
3,021
maylar
maylar
S
  • Locked
Spark plug wires - Coil clamps & coil mounting bracket
Replies
5
Views
1,988
concours
concours
maylar
  • Locked
spark plug wires
Replies
3
Views
1,421
Madnorton
M
Back
Top