Classic/Antique Car Repair/Spark plug wires

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Expert: - 5/27/2010


Question
I have a 1966 Olds Delta 88 with 425ci engine.  I've read of spark plug wires with a lot less resistance, ferrite in the insulation, copper wiring, and more durable insulation against wear and radio wave interference.  Does this provide for a better spark, more thorough fuel igniting, more horsepower, and better fuel mileage?  How do they compare to stock spark plug wires efficiency in transferring the spark energy?

Answer
This is one area where less resistance is not good. The ignition coil will only put out as much voltage as needed to jump the weakest point to ground. Using the copper core wires and non resistor spark plugs will deliver lower voltage to the spark plug. No should a small piece of carbon from the combustion process lodge in the gap of the plug then there will be no resistance to raise voltage and the plug will begin to miss fire. With resistance in the circuit such as resistor wires then the voltage getting to the plug will be high enough to blast away the lodged carbon. When running normally the increased voltage caused by the resistor wires will give a hotter spark and therefore more power and more complete combustion. The resistance in the wires should be around 7,000 ohms for short wires and 15,000 ohms for longer wires.  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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