Junkyard spark plug wires?

Sorry if this question doesn't belong in the engine tech section.

I went to my local junkyard today and checked out a 1971 Skylark they have there and bought a few things for my 72. I noticed that the car has a full set of yellow spark plug wires and I've been wanting yellow plug wires for a while now.

I looked over a few of the wires quickly and they seemed like they were in pretty good shape and the place is somewhat reasonable on their prices.

Is it a bad idea to buy plug wires from a junkyard?

Thanks.

 

If they look good & the price is right, I'd take the gamble. And how hard do you plan to use the car?

Could always check the resistance with a multimeter, if they check out OK, I'd go for it.

Worse case scenario- how much are you going to lose if they are rubbish?

 

I'm 16 and I drive my Skylark to high school everyday and car shows on the weekends. That's just about as hard as I drive my car haha. I don't want to pay much just incase they do turn out to be junk wires. Thanks for the advice!

 

You're 16 & get to drive a Skylark to school. Doing better than I did at your age...........

.How much are they asking for the leads?

 

Five bucks is all I'd pay for used wires, BUT, if one or more turn out to be bad, you could have used that 5 bucks towards new onesou:

 

Yellow=Accel wires...JUNK, don't waste your time or money. You will go through all the trouble only to find they are leaking electricity everywhere.

 

I currently have ACDelco wires but I just don't like black.

 

Save your money for something you really need!

 

No offense man, but if you're basing your decision on plug wires by what color they are, you're in for some disappointment. You're not coming out ahead if they gave them to you for free, as others have said those wires are known to have issues. Being used wires only increases the odds in my book. You may get lucky, and if it's a small investment (<$5) and no more time than it takes to change them, then if your hearts set on it go for. Its not a huge risk at that point. But I wouldn't recommend it.

Full disclaimer: I went through the "Cool yellow wires" phase when I got my Buick at 16 years old also, so I can completely relate!! Only I didnt know of this place and didn't get any guidance like you have! :TU:

 

My engine bay is like all black and I just want a little bit of color to make the car look nicer than it actually is when I open up the hood. I guess I'll just stick to my black wires because there's nothing wrong with them

 

I my high school days I purchased 2 sets of aftermarket wires and custom made them myself for my 350. They were both carbon core and both sets ended up in the garbage due to leaking and poor quality. I then bought the regular AC Delco wires and I've been very happy with them for many years.

 

Thanks Larry, I'll check those out.

 

If they're cheap and that's what you want, go for it! Change your wires (one at a time so you don't get the firing order messed-up) only and if the engine skips, then you know they aren't any good.

 

I'm going back to the junkyard sometime soon and I'll probably take a multimeter with me and test them if they're cheap enough. I want to buy the passenger front fender off of the car too

 

I suggest checking the resistance on your current wires, and then when you check the junkyard ones you can compare so you make the right decision.

 

Great idea Clanceman427, I'll try that!

 

No problem, Ive learned over the years that the prettier outside does not always equate to better function.

 

My car isn't a performer by any means compared to some of my friends' cars so as long as these wires have equal or even lower ohms then I'll go for them just to freshen up the look of my engine bay