Spark Plug Wire Length GM Small Block

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bpmadison@gmail.com - 17 Jun 2006 16:40 GMT

I have a 305 engine in a 1983 Camaro. I purchased the car and the plug
wires were not attached to the plugs or distributer. Does the length of
each wire matter, or can I use the longest wire for 1 and 2 cylinder
and etc... I am not sure what to do.

Thanks

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Don - 17 Jun 2006 17:01 GMT

>I have a 305 engine in a 1983 Camaro. I purchased the car and the plug
>wires were not attached to the plugs or distributer. Does the length of
>each wire matter, or can I use the longest wire for 1 and 2 cylinder
>and etc... I am not sure what to do.
>
>Thanks

When I am faced with that situation I look over the engine and see
which cylinder clearly needs the longest wire and install it. Then I
see which one clearly needs the shortest. I go back and forth towards
the middle and this usually minimizes trial and error. Make sure to
check the distributor for #1 being where expected and get a map of the
firing order.

Don
www.donsautomotive.com

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HLS@nospam.nix - 17 Jun 2006 17:18 GMT

"Don" <don@NO-SPAMdonsautomotive.com> wrote in message

> When I am faced with that situation I look over the engine and see
> which cylinder clearly needs the longest wire and install it. Then I
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Don
> www.donsautomotive.com

I agree, that is the best way to do it, Don.

The length of the cable doesn't hurt anything electrically
in these systems.

To the OP, if you try to make the wires look too good by
running them parallel to each other, you can sometimes get
crossfiring. A pulse from one wire can induce a pulse in the
one next to it.

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Don - 17 Jun 2006 20:54 GMT

>"Don" <don@NO-SPAMdonsautomotive.com> wrote in message
>> When I am faced with that situation I look over the engine and see
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>crossfiring. A pulse from one wire can induce a pulse in the
>one next to it.

Specifically problematic are #5, #7 on the Chev SB.

Don
www.donsautomotive.com

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sdlomi2 - 18 Jun 2006 10:55 GMT

>>"Don" <don@NO-SPAMdonsautomotive.com> wrote in message
>>> When I am faced with that situation I look over the engine and see
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Don
> www.donsautomotive.com

My personal thoughts are you have good info. above, bdmadison. And if
you do have problems w/2 wires in particular, a good way to eliminate
crossfiring is to cross one of the pair over the other at a 90-degree angle.
Luck, s

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