spark plug wires

[patmich]

Why do ends of the spark plug wires (the end that connects to the spark plug) have varying shapes, designs, angles, thickness, etc? I bought and installed wires this morning for my 6 cylinder 93 Ford van, and didn't know what to make of all the different ends. Do they make the variation on the ends to make them more universal and flexible in their use, or are certain plugs supposed to get certain ends... the #1 spark plug for example, is it supposed to get a particular type of end? Of the 7 wires, there were four different ends.
Link to my wire set below.

I matched them up by length and installed them. One of the wires is a tad too short. I am able to connect it, but it has tension on it, which makes me feel uncomfortable. Any thoughts? It is the correct wire set for my van, I double checked.

There was only ONE wire that had a short boot on either end. I assumed this is to be used for the coil???

Installing the wires solved the problem (which I posted about earlier) about my van being hard starting after I replaced the plugs. It was suggested by you guys to change the wires, and it started right up the way it is supposed to after I put in the new wires

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/OMS0/9394/02815.oap?year=1993&make=Ford&model=E-150%2BEconoline&vi=1111981&ck=Search_02815_1111981_2835&pt=02815&ppt=C0334

 

[mechtech2]

Use common sense.
What fits and gives the most clearance is what's right for that plug.
Of course, length is a factor, too.

 

[Whimsey]

You did right by doing one wire at a time. Some after market manufactures may make their wires to try to fit as many applications as possible. That's why I usually splurged and got Motorcraft wires when I had my 300 sixes. You don't change them that often for the cost difference to be much of a real factor.

Whimsey