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Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:28 am

In addition to replacing the coil on my '73 SB I bought some new Bosch plug wires. Tried installing them today and because I can't actually see the connection, I was feeling for the "snap" or "click" as the small wire slid over the threads of the plug...never happened. I took an extra plug and it slid right into the wire but didn't feel snug. It slipped right on and presumably would easily slip off while driving. Am I overlooking something simple? TIA

Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:34 am

I'm assuming you unscrewed the terminals off the ends of the new plugs before installing them?

Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:36 am

:lol: I did!

Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:58 am

Well you have to ask the obvious questions just in case. :lol:

How did the old ones fit?, the ends unscrew off the wires, maybe put the old ends on the new wires?

Mon Apr 05, 2021 9:14 am

The old ones fit snug. I could feel them snap on and connect. With the new ones, it slips right on and doesn't seem to "grab" on. That little wire inside the connector that should pinch the threaded plug seems too loose.

Mon Apr 05, 2021 9:16 am

Do the plugs you bought actually need the screw on ends? Not sure if Bosch sells both styles or not

Mon Apr 05, 2021 9:20 am

The plugs are NGK, without removing the silver tip it is far too big to fit into the plug wire. I think I answered your question...

Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:23 am

Bosch plug wires are not what they once were. I’d try another brand.

Wolfgang International sells some that are high quality. Maybe give them a try.

Tim

Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:59 pm

NGK makes good spark plugs B6HS ( stock # 7534 ) & spark plug wires RCVWC032 ( stock # 57435 ).

Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:37 am

Just got off the phone with Jbugs and they said the Bosch wires are garbage, he's sending me some free EMPI wires :lol: .

From the horses mouth!

Wed Apr 07, 2021 5:43 am

The new Bosch wires are junk! I threw away a new set last year...the type where you now DON'T remove the top plug terminal cap. The fan pressure would randomly push them off a plug. The new ones are nice except the rubber that seals the cooling tin. They won't stay sealed. I bought another brand seal to try. Bosch capacitors are garbage as well, had two fail last summer.

Wed Apr 07, 2021 5:47 am

That NGK set above looks nice and I love their plugs, but I hate bright colored plug wires! Doesn't look like they come in black.

Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:53 am

Try the set of AC delco

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/acdelco/ignit...etle?pos=3

They are black or dark gray. They also seam to fit pretty well.

Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:10 am

Thanks for the suggestions, I am going to see how these free EMPI's fit and will try these other suggestions if needed.

Props to Jbugs for their customer service...

Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:23 am

Pic from the gallery:

You can see the metal clips inside the spark plug end of the plug wires. It is the oddly bent clip that grabs onto the threaded ends of the spark plugs. In the past, I have found wires that loosely fit onto the plugs (no clicking when intalled). Using needle nose pliers, tighten the clip so it better grasps onto the threaded end of the spark plug.

Acknowledged, you should not need to do this on a new set of spark plug wires, but it only takes a few minutes and then you have plug wires that won't vibrate off the spark plugs while you drive.

You can also test the continuity/resistance of the wires while you have them off. One of the reasons I liked the original Bosch wires were they used solid core wires with low resistance. Most modern aftermarket wires are suppression wires with higher resistance cores. While suppression wires are great for radio noise reduction they result in lower power actually reaching the spark plugs.

Oh, and for ease of identification, add the spark plug # to each end of the plug wire using a permanent marker so there is no confusion which wire goes to which spark plug. If you want to be subtle you can add a number of rings at each end to represent the plug#.
I cannot tell you how many times I mistraced the #1 and #2 plug wires following them under the generator/alternator. If you label them while they are out you will never mistake which wire is which.