spark plug wires with the bakelight ends

[doublecanister]

Hey Folks!

I had a question for the Thing group, although this may qualify for a engine topic, I thought id ask my Thing friends first.

If you’re still running a "stockish engine with points", do you still use the original style spark plug wires with the bakelight type connectors to the plugs?

I currently have a pict 34 with a svda style dizzy w/points, stock exhaust.

I had on a old set and just changed them out for the KTE2018 show this year but I think I may have a bad wire or Plug as ever since, the engine idles ok but it seems to jiggle in the engine bay more than I ever remember at idle and driving during the show, I had an awful “flat spot” on takeoff.

I don’t think I have a wire reversed as I pulled them one at a time.

This past weekend, I re-tuned the carb and upped the idle a bit and the flat spot seems to have disappeared. still have the engine jiggle at idle.

Any suggestions on a good source for the original style spark plug wires?

I like how easy the bakelight connectors go on/off the plugs. The replacement wires I previously purchased with the rubber covered ends have almost superglued themselves to the plugs, I’m surprised I’ve not broken the wires already on the few times I’ve removed them.
On that note, I wonder if I damaged a wire because they were so tight to remove?
I used a little wd-40 on install but maybe I should have used some other lube for the spark plug wire connections for ease of removal.

Just thought I’d ask, I know lots of places sell VW parts but only a few seem to sell the good stuff anymore.

In fact I think the replacement plugs and wires were purchased from The Thing shop for my onboard emergency kit, at the time they didn't have the bakelight end wires, I've read bosch may have quit making them but I have seen some I believe EMPI re-made.

Well anyways, Thanks for any suggestions!

PS: please don't yell at me for asking this: Will the bakelight ended spark plug wires work ok with a pertronix style ignition?
I've been mulling converting and was curious.

Thanks yall!

T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[74 Thing]

PVL wires are good with the bakelite ends
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20

If you have an Autozone they rebox the 90 degree ends under Duralast 9845 and are around $20 a set. They have high resistance in the bakelite ends as well as in the coil wire just like the Bosh so I purchased some old VW bakelite ends from the classifieds that had no resistance as well as replace the coil with with a copper core wire. The PVLs are copper core. It is around $20 for the set.

I believe Rockauto also carries them.

[doublecanister]

hey 74 Thing,

Thanks for the recommendations!


I do have a O'Rileys right by my work.

I read that link you referred to, apparently I do currently have the mexico Bosch wires and someone else referred to them being a chore to remove even with a spark plug wire removal tool.

I always thought those "spark plug wire removal tools" should have been renamed "wire boot separators" cause every time I used one we broke the dern wire!


Anyways, Thanks!


T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[perello]

FYI

I replaced germqn Beru ones by NGK....and I find them great!
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Aug '58 pressed bumper SO23
1974 German Thing
1978 Bug 1200

[Wildthings]

You can use a dab of dielectric grease on the rubber spark plug boots to keep them from adhering to the plugs. You can apply it either to the porcelan or use a q-tip or small screwdriver to smear the inside of the boot.

[doublecanister]

hey guys, Thanks for the suggestions.

Wildthings, I forgot about the dialectric grease, wd40 seems to work going on but after that it seems to evaporate.

Thanks yall!

T
_________________
****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[74 Thing]

As suggested above it you use plug wired with the rubber use dieletctric grease and when you attempt to remove the wire from the plug twist it and pull up at the same time.

CB has some Taylor Thundervolt 8.2 wires with low resistance that are nice.

[doublecanister]

Hey 74 Thing,
Thanks for the info on the Taylor wires, I'll check them out!

T
_________________
****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8