Cutting spark plug wires

Any tips or tricks for cutting your own spark plug wires without buying the $100 MSD crimping/splicing tool?

 

hmm we'll see which fingers I can live without p

 

when I bought a set of msd 8 mil wires it came w a tool that worked really well. You can have it if you want to pay a few bucks for me to ship to you. Let me know.

 

I used a cheap pair of dykes--just ask around, you'll find some who carry tools. Actually I used my cheap needle nose pliers with the wire cutter, just be careful how hard you squeeze. That might apply to the cheap dykes, too. They might cut you if you try to squeeze them.
Patrick

 

As mentioned, MSD wires usually have a couple of plastic blocks with metal inserts that work pretty well for crimping the terminals. You can use them with a vise or with a bit of care a big pair of water pump (aka Channel lock) pliers. Alternately a pair of needle nose and some regular pliers will do in a pinch. The secret is to get the edges of the crimp terminal to bite into the wire without damaging the conductive core. That said I've seen some people really butcher them up and run fine for years, just don't plan on pulling them many times before they come apart if you half ass em. I saw at Jegs a couple weeks ago that MSD has 135deg boots. I like them way better than straight boots especially if you have an AC box to work around but others seem happy with straight boots.

 

I have found that the crimping blocks that come with the MSD/Mallory universal wire kit work just fine.
Save yourself the 100 bucks!
Your kit did not come with theses?
As stated above, there are plenty of ways to accomplish this procedure. Once you do one you'll see it's not bad at all.
I once did a set at the kitchen table with the blocks, a utility knife and a C-clamp.

Tony

 

While those crimp blocks work, they are a PIA to deal with.

Just get yourself the right tool.. $18

http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Cable-...75&sr=8-1&keywords=spark+plug+wire+crimp+tool

And Jegs sells the same one for even less.. this is just the first one I came across.

Whenever you run across a stupid price like those MSD pliers, google is your friend. You don't need a godzilla crimper for plug wires.

This is the exact set I have- made many sets of wires with these.

JW

 

Thanks Jim!

 

I just ordered the tool from amazon canada.

 

Nothing worse than a cheap pair of dykes:af:

 

Thanks for the replies everyone, I think I may go this route. I have some old wires to practice on

 

I just used a blade and pliers. My wire kit was missing the tool too. Got it together and working. I don't like the 90* boots. I wish it came with the straight boots. I might change that in the future.

 

Anyone get their wires from this company? Sets cost about $75 and are precision cut to manufacturer specifications and stamped with correct date codes and labeling. Should likely get date code 2-4 months before your car build date to account for time it took Buick to get the wires to the assembly line.

Do you concours guys have the correct date code on your spark plug wires or get docked points during judging if you don’t?

https://www.lectriclimited.com/

Here is a YouTube video describing their process.

 

Just a word of caution to anyone using these date coded wires.
Check the ohms of each & every wire & pull on the end terminals. It's not uncommon to see them so far out of spec., at 5000 ohms per foot, that they cause all types of baffling problems. Do this as SOON as you receive them.
The company will not stand behind their product 2 months out or for ANY damage that may occur because of defective components.

Tom T.

 

Did you order date coded wires from this specific company or another company?

 

Lectric Limited

 

Thank you. I have written the company to ask them about their quality control program and if they check the wires for ohms per foot. I have a hard time believing a company that has been in business for 45 years doesn’t check their products for quality control, but we will see what they say.

 

Here was the Lectric Limited’s response to my inquiry about whether they stand behind their products and test their products for quality control:

“We stand by all our products. If we sell a defective product, you will get a full replacement or a full refund. As far as the plug wire, we don’t manufacture the wire. It is spec tested by the manufacturer.”

I would feel more confident if they spec tested their wires themselves, but we will see what the specs are of the wires when I receive them and if there are any issues.

Thank you.