Plug wire tricks?

gerry100 · 04-03-2005, 12:32 PM

I'll be installing a new set of 7mm Magnecores tommorrow ( if they arrive) in my '86 3.2.

Scoped out the job today - the drivers side and the coil wire look fairly easy

On the other side, I can foresee hassles getting the wires snaked under the AC unit with with the ends on. It seems easy enough to move the compressor out of the way, but I'm not sure that will help much.

As always- Ideas appreciated.

yelcab1 · 04-03-2005, 01:25 PM

It is not that hard. If it makes you feel better, you can remove the belt, the 4 bolts and swing the compressor totally out of the way and hang it over the fender. Just use a towel over the fender to protect the paint.

gerry100 · 04-03-2005, 01:35 PM

yelcab-

Thanks for getting back-

Did you mean its' not that hard to snake them under tha AC compressor or that it's easy to move the compressor and that it helps with the wires?

jyl · jyl's Garage

On my '89, there's a Beru wire holder under/behind the AC compressor/bracket. I think it would be pretty much maddening to get to with the compressor/bracket in place. It only takes a few minutes to unbolt and move the compressor, I would do it.

Precautions - thick towel on fender and maybe some tape or string to hold the compressor on the fender. When you remove that wire holder, careful not to drop the bolt/washer - took me several minutes with a magnet to retrieve mine.

Are you going to re-use the wire holders? I've never seen the Magnecores but from installing Clewetts, I think you should be able to use the wire holders by simply drilling them out. Remove them from the wires, then snap them back together and run a drill bit (roughly the same diameter as your wires) down the holes. Takes very little time.

I confess I don't see the point of the wire holders, I just used them to keep things looking factory.

greglepore · 04-03-2005, 06:31 PM

Yeah, drill them out. And don't dislodge the CHT sensor plug while in there, or the car will run like the plug wires are shot...and you'll poke around for a bit...

I'd unbolt the compressor, it makes life much easier and costs you 15 min each way tops-there is a cable guide down below it, and while the mounting plate is still an obstruction, its much easier once the big hardware is out of the way.

gerry100 · 04-04-2005, 04:04 AM

Looks like I'll move the Compressor. I've got the 7mm Magnecores , so I shouldn't have to modify the wire holders.

Thanks for the inputs.

bandhawk · 04-04-2005, 04:24 PM

Moving the compressor seems intimidating the first time you do it (like about everything on this car). But you'll find that you need to move it quite often to do anything in that cramped space. I'm no skilled mechanic, but moving the comressor takes about 5 minutes now because I've done it so often. All you need is a 13 MM ratchet, 13 mm wrench for adjusting bolt on lower right, and some extensions to make it easier. This is all assuming you've got the Nippondeso compressor like I do.

I'm also thinking about getting Magnecores. Let me know if it makes a difference. Mines running a little rough and I haven't been able to figure it out.

gerry100 · 04-04-2005, 05:30 PM

Moved the compressor and the mounting plate- found anothere hidden wire loom underneath the plate.

Only the Germans would so highly engineer mounting of the plug wires.

I can't understand why the wire holders on one side use an 8mm cap srew whil the one under the compressor uses a 7mm ( naturally the one wrench I couldn't find).

Besides running out to buy a wrench, the othere hassle so far has been getting the #5 of the Dist. Don't know why.

I'll report on how it turns out.

Wil Ferch · 04-05-2005, 04:51 AM

keep us posted...many of us ( ahem..."me") would like reports back on the 7mm Magnacors...everyone else wants the eyeball-catching 8 or 10 mm Reds....

Yeah...it's been a hassle doing any work around the compressor mount..like putting on the oil line stabilizers. I think removing the compressor and plate only gets you so far...as you said, there is a wire holder directly behind and out of reach. At some point, you then have to remove the compressor "arm mount" ...and that would require removing the muffler....

Let us know if you find an alternative to doing all that....

Wil

gerry100 · 04-05-2005, 05:59 AM

I got the passenger side plug wires /loom assembly out without removing anything beside the compressor and mounting plate. Of course, skinned knuckles and $%^& were neccessary.

Plan is to put the new wires into the looms etc on the bench and snake them in the way they came out. Should work ( When I say that I'm right about half the time).

I bought the 7mm because I'm cheap, didn't want to mess w the looms and the 7mm Berus lasted 19yrs/100,000 miles). Besides there is no difference in performance.

Only issue I've heard about is getting a good positive engagement w the plugs, but I'll be careful.

Maybe more later today.

stlrj · 08:02 AM

Before you go to the trouble of pulling your compressor, give the wires a try by routing them between #4 and #5 intakes like the 84's.

You can decide later on if it's worth the trouble to run them under the compressor when you're satisfied with the wires.

I have the wires on my 86 running between #4 and #5 leaving out the wire separators without any problems. It seems the only reason for the separators is because the original Beru's had such poor insulation which is not a problem with aftermarket cables.

Cheers,

Joe

gerry100 · 04-05-2005, 10:18 AM

Joe,

Compressors already out, unfortunatelt and I've just spent an hour putting together a new assemby of wire and wire holders for the right side.

Did you mean that you are laying the wires between the 4-5 intake runners and then down to the plugs?

Interesting, and will save somebody some time, the separators around the compressor have been the main PITA on this job.

Thanks,

Gerry

gerry100 · 04-05-2005, 04:58 PM

Got the right side harness in, went out for a test drive ( so if I screwed up I'd know where.

Engine ran smoother than ever. I knew I had a bad #5, but this was smoother than when I first got the car.

Joe's method of running betwenn 4-5 intakes would shave hours, Between assembling all the looms, making sure wires were correct after all the twists and turns and wrestling with the AC compressor etc going factory '86 correct was a real time consumer.

Notes-

Make sure you give all the connections at both ends a hard push. On the plug end I got a faint click that might make you think you're on the plug when you are not. Hard push will get a nice "pop"- you'll know it when you hear it.

I noticed that the grommets that cover the holes in the plug cover are smaller thn on the Beru's and look like they may leave some gaps for debris, water etc. I may see if I can fit the ones of the old Beru ends.

So far the 7mm Magnecores look like a good deal.

Doing the drivers side tommorrow. Should be easy.

gerry100 · 04-06-2005, 03:22 PM

Did the left side plug wires today, much easier and quicker.

Car runs beautiffully , pulls very smoothly and wants to go to the redline.

I saved the Beru ends, but I'm not sure they are'nt the problem. I slit open the #5 lead, and the conductoer is encased in a clear plastic and looks untouched. The degradation in performance may come from the fanxcy Beru ends or the connections.

Anyhow- I'd say a worthwhile project for anybody with old wires

jmeany · jmeany's Garage

I just changed mine and the car runs like crap. I see blue arching around the coil lead to the distributer and the side posts. I bought the clevites reds. So far I am not impresed. The gap between the top of the plug (Gromets) and the valve covers is like a 1/4 inch. And I thought this would be easy. Any thoughts on this before I piss away another 200.00$$ Argggggggggggg..

gerry100 · 04-08-2005, 08:28 PM

Might not be the wires.

I'd start by putting my old coil wire on, Also should check and make sure you've got the firring order correct and all the connections are on tight.

Good luck.

hoff944 · 04-08-2005, 10:22 PM

jmeany: You might not have your clewetts on all the way. You really have to push to get that proper snap. I'm waiting on my second set of clewetts, since the first accidently boxed wrong. My wires should be arriving tommorrow. I've been 911less for too many weeks now. Such a simple fix, yet so far.

jmeany · jmeany's Garage

I verified the firing order, Checked every thing I could. Started engine still missing, The cat got cherry red and I shut down the engine before I burn something up. I may have made a mistake using Dialectic greasy on the coil and distributor cap ends. Going to try to clean that up. I really pressed hard on the caps. The clewetts I have are 9192-28 I bought back in Feb. What was the issue that you had? They would not go on all the way? I don't think that there is suppose to be a 1/4 Inch gap.

stlrj · 04-09-2005, 07:22 AM

Quote:

The cat got cherry red and I shut down the engine before I burn something up

Same thing happend to me when I replaced my wires. Turns out my firing order was all messed up.

I was using the sticker in my engine as reference to the distributor rotation and forgot I had installed a 3.2 in place of the 3.0 that had the opposit distributor rotation on the sticker.

Check your firing order!

Cheers,

Joe

jmeany · jmeany's Garage

Well aparently I did not push hard on #4. I cleaned the wires up. Got rid of the excess Dialectric grease and took the Beru rubber grometts and the rubber insulators off the old wire set and put them on the new set. I will order new insulators and gromets this week. Runs like a bear now, Just went for a joy ride a few minutes ago. Nice... Sweet,,, Narly... oh my gawd!! whatever...