stock plug wire holders

[firehawkclone]

Anybody ever replace the stock plugwire holders with some that will hold a 8.5mm wire?

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

I used some of those Spectre chrome holders from Autozone, really cleaned up the wires, they were a big mess beforehand. I first tried the black plastic clips, but they were too close to the headers and would expand over a few weeks and fall off the wires. Mine are 8mm, though. They clamp with a screw in the center, so they could probably fit 8.5's.

http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/91Blazer/119291.jpg

[firehawkclone]

thanks matt,i was wondering if anybody had found any that would go on the stock plugwire bracket that bolts to the side of the head.I looked at all of the ones at the parts store,but they are to big.You know the part of the holder that slips over the metal tab that sticks up on a stock vavle cover.

Does any of this make sense!LOL

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

I know which ones you mean. The wires in my kit are too short to route in the stock locations, so I didn't even try. One day I'd like to make a set from one of the crimp-it-yourself kits, and I'll look for some mounts like these:

http://www.centuryperformance.com/images/mfy/50356.jpg

I don't know of any 8.5mm holders that fit onto those tabs. You might want to look into the other types available from places like Summit or Jeg's. Might find something you like.

[firehawkclone]

Yeah im making my set now,and i use that setup on my bird now.But i can't use it on the truck becuase of the SC tubing is in the way.Now if i could just sale the PD and get a wynnjammer!

[Hammer]

you can purchase probably from edelbrock or other performance sources, spark plug holders that are on a metal stand with clips similar to those in the photo but they actually the bracket has a hole in it and centering piece that gets bolted to the valve cover bolts. this is a little extra work but making your own plug wires with these brackets in the long wrong will save you aggrevation. the only issue i've seen is that the valve cover bolts back out if you don't locktite them or put a little silicon on them on the way in.... plus you'd probably have to redo the valve cover seals, cause once you loosen the bolts, i doubt it would seal back down but who's to say.

regardless i used them on my 305 in a 78 monte carlo that had uncoated headers and it saved the plug wires for certain. otherwise they'd be loose and floating around which is bad once the wires get hot and droop then they lay on the block the header or something and short out inevitably.

[Hammer]

I know which ones you mean. The wires in my kit are too short to route in the stock locations, so I didn't even try. One day I'd like to make a set from one of the crimp-it-yourself kits, and I'll look for some mounts like these:

http://www.centuryperformance.com/images/mfy/50356.jpg

I don't know of any 8.5mm holders that fit onto those tabs. You might want to look into the other types available from places like Summit or Jeg's. Might find something you like.


in your photo, i personally would not have put that wire from the third cylinder back (counting from left to right) in the 3 wire loom. i would've left it loose and turned the boot to the right. the loom is forcing the wire and the boot to the left. it may not look as nice but the function would be much better and keep the wire probably half way between each header pipe

[Hammer]

I used some of those Spectre chrome holders from Autozone, really cleaned up the wires, they were a big mess beforehand. I first tried the black plastic clips, but they were too close to the headers and would expand over a few weeks and fall off the wires. Mine are 8mm, though. They clamp with a screw in the center, so they could probably fit 8.5's.

http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/91Blazer/119291.jpg

here's another good photo and something i learned from the same scenario with headers. notice how all the wires are going up the top towards the valve cover. there is nothing wrong with putting the wires under the headers and then coming underneath the header pipes and back ontop of the valve cover or routing them near the adjacent loom shown in the photo. why? because the pinch point is the bend that occurs right next to the header you have more options when you go underneath the headers. there aren't other wires like the temp sensor and it's wire trying to come through the same gap. plus heat rises and cold air comes from underneath the truck so putting the wires underneath works to solve 2 problems. the pinch point and the heat coming up off the header. before i got the valve cover loom clips i ran my wires underneath and the wires were so cold you'd think they were outside the car. of course you have to make your own wires, or get a bunch of long wires some how. it's worth costom making them in the end.