Replacement spark plug wires | FerrariChat

Replacement spark plug wires

Discussion in '308/328' started by GaryvH, Aug 1, 2020.

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  1. GaryvH

    GaryvH Rookie

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    Hi everyone,
    I have a 308 QV 1983 and one bank of cylinders is not firing so I'm going to change the plug wires. The caps were replaced a couple of years ago and it hasn't been driven much.
    I have read so many threads regarding which ones to use. Birdman likes the ACCEL 4040R, (price is right) some like the Kingbourne and Magnecor. Do I use 7mm vs 8mm? I'm looking for a "reasonable solution" that will be easy to install.
    Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks, Gary
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    It's not your wires, taking out an entire bank...

    Coil/condensor failure, broken set of points??

    7mm
     
    Saabguy and thorn like this.
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Dave Helms had a huge spool of the 7mm wire, at one time.
    In Colorado.
     
  4. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

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    7mm are needed only if you want to thread the new wire through the old red rubber sheaths. If you don’t care about that, 8mm is more common and has no impact on performance.
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Sure, I was just answering the OEM size....
     
  6. jlc308

    jlc308 Karting

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    Good time to eliminate the plug extenders, see attachment
     

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  7. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ Consultant

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    How you doing Joe?
     
  8. Vonbarron

    Vonbarron Formula 3 Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Crank position sensor I’m voting for
     
  9. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ Owner

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    Has a similar problem a couple of years ago. Turned out to be a bad rotor. Carbon track to ground. Cheap fix ($12). As for wires, if you making your own, Belden 7mm spiral wound works well.
     
  10. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    83 QV doesn’t have points and condenser, if one banks goes it’s usually either the Digiplex, coil, or the crank sensor for that bank.
     
  11. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ Owner

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    Saabguy likes this.
  12. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

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    Loss of an entire bank could be a coil wire but blindly throwing parts at a problem is not the way to troubleshoot. Doing it that way you'll never even know what it was that caused it.
     
  13. jlc308

    jlc308 Karting

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    Hi Mitchell, doing fine, enjoying the SoCal sunshine but can't go anywhere because of virus
     
  14. Brian Harper

    Brian Harper F1 Rookie Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Isn't it that 7mm wires fit in the distributor cap holes and 8mm wires you need trim to get them to go into the holes?
     
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  15. Cuddy K

    Cuddy K Karting

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    I just replaced my wires. 7mm kingsborne. Fit in the red sleeves...and the dizzy cap.
     
  16. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    it was a long time ago but I used Acell 4040r 8mm wires in my 308 and I dont recall having to trim the coating/outer cover to get them in. Maybe some lube, but not trimming.
     
  17. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

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    Also a long time ago but 8mm wires fit into the distributor cap on my 328GTS. They did not fit into the sleeves but my new wires are red.
     
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  18. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

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    I don’t recommend removing the spark plug extenders or the boot that seals around the spark plug hole. Lots of things can fall into the gap around the plug wires. Then you can’t get the spark plug wrench on the plug or if you can, dirt and other things can drop into the cylinder when you remove the plug. Also, you can purchase spark plug extenders that are 0 resistance (328 version) as I recall that will Eliminate the troublesome and resistive 308 extenders.7mm wires work fine.
     
  19. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3

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    Go with Magnecor, great wires, well made from what I see. I replaced a set of solid copper wires on my car, noticeable difference, solid copper messed with the ignition modules.
     

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