spark plug wires

[mobilaltima]

Last week I changed the plugs and wires in my Ranger, the drivers side routing is a little difficult due to the EGR tube going from the exhaust manifold to the EGR valve being so close to the wires. A portion of the tube is wrapped with a material to keep the wires away from the heat, while the lower portion is bare. A few days ago I decided to re-route the wires, as I noticed they were rubbing against the bare part of the tube, I'm glad I checked cause they were all starting to burn through, but I didnt have any arcing or sparking. I bought 3 new wires, and I routed them as best as i could in between the valve cover and the tube.(instead of on the outside of the tube as I had done before) I also used a Mr. Gasket spark plug wire clip to keep them uniform and straight near the firewall. My only concern is, while they arent in a bind, (plenty of slack) one of the wires is touching the valve cover, while one of the wires is touching the EGR tube, its touching the portion that is wrapped with the material. While I doubt the valve cover heat will damage the wire, I'm still concerned about the wire touching the EGR tube. I was thinking of wrapping the whole tube in a few layers of header wrap. I used Napa Mileage Plus wires. Any ideas guys? Thanks

 

[zzyzzx]

We really need pics to better understand the issue. Motorcraft wires are better than any other wires, and the only other thing that you should ever consider (if no Motorcraft wires are available) are the Belden wires.

 

[Olas]

Any kind of thermal barrier will be fine, exhaust wrap, turbo jacket etc etc

 

[DoubleWasp]

Go to any Pep Boys and you'll find spark plug wire heat barrier tube you can run them through.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
We really need pics to better understand the issue. Motorcraft wires are better than any other wires, and the only other thing that you should ever consider (if no Motorcraft wires are available) are the Belden wires.

NGK wires are just fine.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
We really need pics to better understand the issue. Motorcraft wires are better than any other wires, and the only other thing that you should ever consider (if no Motorcraft wires are available) are the Belden wires.

NGK wires are just fine.


Depends on the application. The NGK wires I bought had 6 wires the same length for a v6.....

In general I'd agree.

 

[Garak]

I don't now if it's still the case, but when I bought Motorcraft wires for my LTD many, many, many moons ago, they offered a lifetime, unconditional warranty. That is, if you tore a boot due to pulling them off like an idiot, they'd give you a new wire on the spot, no questions asked. I suspect it's not quite the same any longer.

 

[djb]

The heat from the valve cover isn't high enough to damage the wires. You should be more concerned about the wires rubbing against the cover. They should either be held firmly or prevented from touching.

Wrapping the wires in a thermal insulator might not prevent a problem. If the area is hot enough to degrade the wire, an insulating wrap will just slow how long it takes them to reach a high temperature. A wrap will only keep the wire cooler if the heating is strictly radiant and the far side is cooler.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
We really need pics to better understand the issue. Motorcraft wires are better than any other wires, and the only other thing that you should ever consider (if no Motorcraft wires are available) are the Belden wires.

NGK wires are just fine.


Possibly so, but not as good as Motorcraft.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Motorcraft wires are better than any other wires


Explain. Objectively.

"not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased"

 

[01rangerxl]

Are you missing some of the original plastic wire holders that clipped on the valve cover bolts? Those really help keep the wires contained. Universal ones might not work well enough.

Call out # 12297