I am running a Dist. and acquired new wires from a vender. I noticed that they have a light plastic coating on them and there not as flexible as the old ones and crack very easy.
Will this affect the electric flow to the plugs. It isn't running as nice as before.

Bob

IMHO:

Since they are multi-strand wires, the evidence suggests at least some of the strands have probably parted, thereby decreasing conductivity. I'd temporarily replace them with something stout (regardless of what it looks like) and see if that improves running. Then you'll know.

Looks like you need a refund.

Spark plug wires that have a gloss lacquer coating will crack. The crack is only on the outer shell. The PVC core is not cracked nor the copper wires inside is not cracked. When you are dealing with the wires you have to be careful on not bending them to much. Best way is to warm the wires up with heat they will be more plyable.

just buy some clear lacquer from your hardware store and brush up the cracks. Cracks it going to happen with that type of wire.

When in doubt,fire it up in a dark garage at night. If you have fireworks,you have problems.

You can get out your Ohm meter and take a reading. Scott

I'll try all the tests, I still like the old cloth covered wires, maybe I still have some old ones around ( Oh to be better organized ) if I can find what box there in.

Bob

They look like c...pt to me. I would return them and find another source. Why would you want to heat them up or jump through hoops to make them work.

Every split is a potential "leak" especially when the wires are touching as your pictures show. "Cross fire" they used to call it and it was very common with older wires that are laying on each other or running through metal sleeves like they used to do to neaten up their appearance. Frankly Bob they look like hell any way.

Here's how the wire is made, wire is braided over a actual spark plug wire then they put on a top coat of gloss clear lacquer. The top coat will crack if not handled properly not the actual wire insulation underneith. Looking at the picture it was mishandled by the end user.

If that's so then its too delicate of a product to use on a Model T. I am sure Henry didn't baby the spark plug wires during Model T production.

Those spark plug wires look like poo. Better ones are available from the vendors.

With a distributor, you may as well use red Accel Pro wires and a yellow Mallory coil. Just kidding, of course . . .

...and for industrial use...



picture captured from this forum, sorry don't remember who gets the credit.