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Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 6:13 pm
by Cobra 65
Hello guys,

Tom and I are debating about my plug wires.
I replaced the wires about 100 miles ago because the old ones being 3 years old broke - at least two of them.
They failed because of the heat but they were protected by those heat "socks".
Today I checked the wires again because the ignition felt wrong...
3 of the wires have heat related damage and they were protected with those "socks" as well.
Those 8 pics show the damage, how they sit on the plugs and the brand to the plug wires.

Any ideas? It's getting expansive to change them every 100 miles.... :((

Thanks for your input,

Stefan

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 7:47 pm
by mooreken
They do make ceramic ends. But it might more than one set to get all the angles you might need. 90,45 degrees, etc..

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 8:02 pm
by Tom Wells
It looks like the braided "heat shield" tubing has transferred the heat to the plug cap. You can see the braid pattern!

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 8:46 pm
by Cobra 65
Tom, it looks like the socks are melted into it.
I'll do some research about the ceramic ones.
Thanks

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:31 pm
by mooreken
Here is a starting point on your research.
Summit Racing.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/pro ... =Ascending

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 1:54 pm
by BlackSnake
Hmm, could also be a bit too much ignition advance generating that much heat. I bet those pipes are glowing cherry red under load.

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 3:02 pm
by Cobra 65
It seems there are no ready to install ceramic plug wires for my Windsor 351 based 427 small block.
But there are universal ones that can be custom fitted. Doesn't look too complicated but need that special pliers.

How can I check it Mike?

Thanks,
Stefan

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 5:34 pm
by Cobra 65
I gave Summit Racing a call and it turned out that those ceramic plug wires seem to be the only ones fitting my application.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tay-85258

Not sure about the 50 ohms/ft resistance...

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:20 pm
by Tom Wells
50Ω/ft is the same as MSD wires. Probably OK.

Here's a quote from the MSD web site:
MSD’s 8.5mm Super Conductor Wire will measure about 50-ohms per foot of wire while the Street Fire brand wires have about 500 ohms per foot.

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 8:43 pm
by Cobra 65
Thanks Tom. I guess I'll pull the trigger on that one.