1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

[Chuck G.]

My old dated Lectric Limited plug wires are finally giving up the ghost. Within the past 2 weeks, I've had spark arcing from #1 and now #4 has started.

Time for new wires. I have looked here in the archives. I've looked online. I've looked at Corvette supplier catalogs. I've looked on EBAY. I've looked at ACCEL, Taylor, MSD, etc.

I'd like to ask a couple of questions.

Originals are 7mm. Are there any spiral wound 7mm wires available? I'd like to avoid carbon core again, if possible.

I see lots of 8mm spiral wound wires. Will they fit in the looms without too much difficulty?

I called K&B and they don't make FI wires with 90* boots on each end. They do make their Kevlar reinforced core wires, but again, those are carbon wires.

I can make up my own...I can modify anything I buy with the proper boots, that's not an issue.

I do not want to use "440" wire.. I'm not concerned with judging points anymore..

Suggestions?

[Peter M.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Hi Chuck,
I have been looking at trying "Magnecor" wires for my 67. They have a very informative web site and are located in Michigan.
Kind regards

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Good morning Chuck, do you have the wires routed correctly in the rubber holders . They are numbered to keep wires from cross firing.take a look closely there numbered on both sides1357/2468.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Yes, they're routed correctly. I will investigate Magnecor.

I think I have found something I like from Summit Racing. They're 7mm spiral wound wires... They come in the proper lengths, and you add your plug and distributor boots..

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g829b/overview/

My LL wires are old... and I don't want to put on another set of those.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

The 8 wires from Summit come in these lengths.

2-52.5 inches
1-48
1-43
2-37.5
1-31.5
1-27.5

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Chuck myself I really was never crazy about the cut to length wires,they tend to pull apart when removing the boots on cap. Have you tried Napa,or Carquest auto parts,.Standard ignition.or Delco.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

I've looked online. Google has been my friend.

I really wanted the spiral wound wires...

I've made up wire sets before on Corvettes and street rods and have not had a problem with them pulling apart. Gotta use the correct crimping tool.

[Thomas N.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Chuck:
Summit also has the Pertronix spiral wound 7mm. P/N 708180 with straight boots, and P/N 708190 with 90 degree boots. Both Universal sets.
Just more choices for you to look at.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Chuck:
Summit also has the Pertronix spiral wound 7mm. P/N 708180 with straight boots, and P/N 708190 with 90 degree boots. Both Universal sets.
Just more choices for you to look at.

The wires I got from Summit are called "Retro-Universal Wire Set"

Summit part number SUM G829B

The 90* plug boots are already crimped on.

They send you 3 styles of distributor boots, 90*, straight, and HEI.

You need to cut the wires to length, and then crimp on the boot you want. A crimping tool is included. The wires are plenty long to run in the original fashion.

Interestingly, the wires are stamped "Packard Silicone Suppression" and have a few small lightning bolts..

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Chuck
Just interested in how long the "correct" wires lasted?
I know from the factory they were considered a tune up item.

I only got 160K miles before I changed them out on my Silverado. LOL
Things have changed a lot in the ignition field.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Chuck
Just interested in how long the "correct" wires lasted?
I know from the factory they were considered a tune up item.

I only got 160K miles before I changed them out on my Silverado. LOL
Things have changed a lot in the ignition field.

I would guess that the LL repros are 15+ years old, BUT they probably only have 5000 miles or less on them.

I had one bad wire right out of the original set, and LL sent me a replacement. IIRC, that wire out of the box ohm'ed at 30,000+ ohms in a 24" or so span.

I've got the shielding removed, no small task on a 63 with the one piece RT plug shield. I'm gonna raise my lift and remove the boomerangs, then pull the plugs, then start on the wires.

No hurry. I'm retired. I'll have the job done sometime this week.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

I would guess that the LL repros are 15+ years old, BUT they probably only have 5000 miles or less on them.

I had one bad wire right out of the original set, and LL sent me a replacement. IIRC, that wire out of the box ohm'ed at 30,000+ ohms in a 24" or so span.

I've got the shielding removed, no small task on a 63 with the one piece RT plug shield. I'm gonna raise my lift and remove the boomerangs, then pull the plugs, then start on the wires.

No hurry. I'm retired. I'll have the job done sometime this week.

Chuck, have fun this week. When you are all done, come up to NH and help me swap a fuel pump in my 63. NAH

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

I really wanted the spiral wound wires...

.

Out of curiosity, Chuck, why?

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Out of curiosity, Chuck, why?

Reliability.. More consistent spark...

[Gary J.]

Re: 1963 FI Spark Plug Wire Recommendations

Chuck, have fun this week. When you are all done, come up to NH and help me swap a fuel pump in my 63. NAH

Now Harry, why would Chuck want to do that when it is nice and warm in Florida this time of year? You must have had a brain burp!