Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Cobra 65
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:52 am

Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post 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
Attachments
White 'stuff' on of a plug
White 'stuff' on of a plug
k-IMG_20200225_151422.jpg (887.29 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
heat damage
heat damage
k-IMG_20200225_151243.jpg (842.15 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
heat damage and placement
heat damage and placement
k-IMG_20200225_151057.jpg (718.3 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
heat damage and placement
heat damage and placement
k-IMG_20200225_150936.jpg (983.4 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
tight fit
tight fit
k-IMG_20200225_150927.jpg (943.76 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
one bank
one bank
k-IMG_20200225_150909.jpg (963.16 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
brand of plug wires installed
brand of plug wires installed
k-IMG_20200225_102831.jpg (853.7 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
heat damage
heat damage
k-IMG_20200225_102228.jpg (776.08 KiB) Viewed 4518 times
mooreken
Posts: 591
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 12:25 pm

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post 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..
Tom Wells
Posts: 928
Joined: Fri May 08, 2015 7:34 pm
Contact:

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post 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!
Cobra 65
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:52 am

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post by Cobra 65 »

Tom, it looks like the socks are melted into it.
I'll do some research about the ceramic ones.
Thanks
mooreken
Posts: 591
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 12:25 pm

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post by mooreken »

Here is a starting point on your research.
Summit Racing.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/pro ... =Ascending
BlackSnake
Posts: 345
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2015 4:09 am

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post 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.
Cobra 65
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:52 am

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post 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
Cobra 65
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:52 am

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post 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...
Tom Wells
Posts: 928
Joined: Fri May 08, 2015 7:34 pm
Contact:

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post 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.
Cobra 65
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:52 am

Re: Plug wires cannot handle the heat

Post by Cobra 65 »

Thanks Tom. I guess I'll pull the trigger on that one.
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