Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: btwodu on March 08, 2007, 09:08:13 AM

Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: btwodu on March 08, 2007, 09:08:13 AM
This may seem like a silly question but I spent $40 on some new spark plug wires and they aren't put together yet.

I have the wires, the boots, and the metal connectors that attach to the wires.

There are 2 different types of boots (both L shaped), 2 different types of metal contacts (L shaped silver one and "straight" gold one), and then my wires. The heavy straight boots are in place on the wires already.

Sorry I don't have pics, can't find my USB cord at the moment.

The wires are Accel superstock. How the heck do I put them together. I have pretty much figured it out but there must be an easier way..
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: Red_LX on March 08, 2007, 09:32:21 AM
Actually Accel superstock wires do pretty well suck. I used to put them on my old mustang, but stopped using them after the one set I had started arcing around the plug boots after 10K miles or so. Been using Motorcraft wires since then and never had that problem with them.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: vinnietbird on March 08, 2007, 09:41:01 AM
I never liked them either.Not the putting them together,that was no problem.They just sucked.I use Ford racing wires.Not much more than the Accel wires,and they're made for the 5.0.Nice function and looks as well.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: P71 on March 08, 2007, 10:07:55 AM
ACCEL SUCKS!!! Use Taylor or Ford Racing wires.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: btwodu on March 08, 2007, 11:26:25 AM
So I should just trash them? I bought them like 6 months ago and never used them cuz I couldn't figure out how to put them together. Guess I'll chalk it up as a loss and keep moving on.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: Chuck W on March 08, 2007, 01:03:52 PM
I've had decent luck with the Taylors, even on my 2.3Ts (which are PICKY about plug wires).  Even when I had to make them for my turbo Ranger.  I'll use Taylors again when I build new ones for the Tbird when I swap from TFI to DIS.

Accel stuff sucks.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: Ether947 on March 08, 2007, 01:13:52 PM
Ford Racing/Motorcraft wires can't be beat IMO. Never had a problem with them. Accel on the other hand... whack. Actually I haven't had too much luck with any aftermarket ignition parts. Almost all of them failed in a relatively short period of time.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: 86Tbuzzard on March 09, 2007, 06:24:59 PM
Accel plugs don't last long...might be good for drag racing...2 runs change the plugs haha...about the sum of it. I used Taylor on my tbird...work good...put 'em on my pickup...still work good:hick: I did have a bad batch of NGK plugs on my pickup...rarely see that with NGK that I'm aware of...just stick with motorcraft...or bosch plat. +4 like I'm putting in my crown vic.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: t.birdsc on March 09, 2007, 11:37:18 PM
Accel is ok. I never had any major issues using their products. Years ago I made up a set but I believe mine came with 2 flat steel crimpers in the kit. Cut the wire to length needed,put the boots on with some silicone grease, strip about 3/4" of the insulation off  the ends,with out cutting into the core, bend it back along the outside of the plug wire and crimp. Clamp one piece of the crimper in a vise and put the other on top and hit it with a hammer. Plug wire crimping pliers are even easier to use. The different terminals may likely be universal kit which would fit inside  distributor cap terminal  holes(early model vehicles) or snap on to distributor cap tower terminals (later model vehicles)  similar a spark plug. The set of accel solid core wires were probably made up 20 years ago and are still on my friend's car. He still says its never run better. I would try to use them before $hit canning them.
 Needlesstosay, Ford wires are unbelievable in their durability. My '93 Bronco has 185,000 miles on original plug wires. I keep waiting for it to miss and it never does. I believe a set of asf42c or awsf32c spark plugs got 100,000 miles on the same vehicle before I thought they just had to be changed. Again no miss.
 Lastly without going off on a total rant, I think spark plugs, wires and basically the whole secondary ignition system are some of the biggest money making rip offs the aftermarket industry. I probably will get flammed for that and someone will say they do make power but I aint buy'n it any more. I will spend my hard earned cash on something more certain to make horsepower. Just my 2 cents.

 Mike
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: t.birdsc on March 09, 2007, 11:37:30 PM
Accel is ok. I never had any major issues using their products. Years ago I made up a set but I believe mine came with 2 flat steel crimpers in the kit. Cut the wire to length needed, put the boots on with some silicone grease, strip about 3/4" of the insulation off  the ends with out cutting into the core, bend it back along the outside of the plug wire and crimp the terminal. Clamp one piece of the crimper in a vise and put the other on top and hit it with a hammer. Plug wire crimping pliers are even easier to use. The different terminals may likely be universal kit which would fit inside  distributor cap terminal  holes(early model vehicles) or snap on to distributor cap tower terminals (later model vehicles)  similar to a spark plug. The set of accel solid core wires were probably made up 20 years ago and are still on my friend's car. He even says its never run better. I would try to use them before $hit canning them.
 Needlesstosay, Ford wires are unbelievable in their durability. My '93 Bronco has 185,000 miles on original plug wires. I keep waiting for it to miss and it never does. I believe a set of asf42c or awsf32c spark plugs got 100,000 miles on the same vehicle before I thought they just had to be changed. Again no miss.
 Lastly without going off on a total rant, I think spark plugs, wires and basically the whole secondary ignition system are some of the biggest money making rip offs the aftermarket industry. I probably will get flammed for that and someone will say they do make power but I aint buy'n it any more. I will spend my hard earned cash on something more certain to make horsepower. Just my 2 cents.

 Mike
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: tbirdscott on March 10, 2007, 01:22:12 PM
Ebay the accel wires and pick up some good taylors, the cheap taylors are .


Scott
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: thunderjet302 on March 11, 2007, 11:29:10 PM
These work great are are of very good quality:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FMS%2DM%2D12259%2DC301&N=700+4294925143+4294864973+400070+4294889567+115&autoview=sku
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: 88BlueBird on March 16, 2007, 04:52:57 PM
The most durable and long lasting spark plug wires are the Motorcraft, Ford Racing and Roush Performance ones, all made by Federal Mogul.
Title: These new plug wires suck
Post by: DakotaEpic on March 18, 2007, 11:38:11 PM
I have Taylor Spiro's on my T/A, and they are a  sturdy wire.  I like them a lot.