How can I tighten grip of Magnecor to the plug?

[Hendog]

I have Magnecor 8.5mm on my '87. The grip of the wire socket to the spark plug is not tight enough and I have to check them often. I will push each plug socket and occasionally get 1 or 2 or 3 that "click" back onto the plug. Last year I failed Air Care because one was not seated properly.

I bought these wires from our host in 2007 and they have approx 35K Km on them. The spark plugs are NGK BPR6ES.

Any ideas on how to make the fit tighter?

[Bob Kontak]

I am just talking here - have not really had a lot of success with this as I historically I just grab a pair of pliers and squeeze the boot. Ends up being too much some times.

Perhaps a safer way would be to put a spark plug in the wire and put a little pressure with pliers and that may crimp the ends in just enough to make a better connection without distorting the female connector.

Again - just talking.

[steely]

I am really thinking like Bob here on this one and held up posting at first. If the boot can be slid back, attach a similar extra plug and test or squeeze the connector. Do it lightly so you don't clamp it so hard it won't go on because you made the connection too tight. The terminal or connection is probably soft aluminum and is meant to be pressed on. You only need to squeeze the connector a teeny bit.

[rsscotty]

Or you could order Clewett wires and not have ANY problems.

To keep Magnecore wires on the spark plug on the dyno, I resorted to using RSR plug hold downs. These Magnacore connectors just don't feel good when snapping onto the plug.

[KTL]

Can't peel the boot back as the female terminal is fairly far down into the thick rubber insulator. You have to squeeze the rubber a bit to tighten the fit of the terminal. I agree 100% that i've never liked the loose feeling connection the Magnecor wires make with the plug's male terminal.

[neilschelly]

I have just one wire that falls off nearly every drive now, after less than 5k miles. I hacked together a piece of scrap metal to hold it on by unscrewing a valve cover nut, screwing down the metal piece to the valve cover, and then bending it over the boot.

I find the Magnecors frustrating enough that I may just replace them out of spite still.
-N

[Jfporco]

Awh man! I just ordered a set of wires for my '75. I certainly hope this is not a known design flaw.

[neilschelly]

Originally Posted by Jfporco

Awh man! I just ordered a set of wires for my '75. I certainly hope this is not a known design flaw.

5/6 of mine have been fine. I imagine many people have gotten a whole set of good ones. I suspect I'm just not quite so lucky, and it seems like it's not uncommon for others to share in that problem. In other words, be optimistic!
-N

[47silver]

The braided factory work flawlessly, they snap on and stay

[KTL]

Originally Posted by 47silver

The braided factory work flawlessly, they snap on and stay

Oh do they stay. Kind of night and day. The factory ones snap on and you feel like you're going to break them pulling them off. The Magnecors snap on and you're thinking, is that on all the way?

[dentist90]

Perhaps the problem may be the brand of spark plug? I wonder is there is some slight variation in the diameters of the insulator that the rubber boot snugs over. Maybe experiment with different plugs to see if one snaps in tighter than the troublesome one you have now, or switch one of your tighter fitting plugs with the loose one just to see if that makes a difference. Just thinking out loud here...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by neilschelly

II hacked together a piece of scrap metal to hold it on by unscrewing a valve cover nut..........

As long as it was German scrap metal. :-)

I have used Nology and Beru and finally bought the basic 911 Clewett wires. I was not happy with the Nology for not having a secure "snap" on the plugs. Berus were better snapping but the Clewetts have been a non event.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by rsscotty

Or you could order Clewett wires and not have ANY problems.

To keep Magnecore wires on the spark plug on the dyno, I resorted to using RSR plug hold downs. These Magnacore connectors just don't feel good when snapping onto the plug.

With all due respect to Mr. Clewett or Mr. Magnecore, replacing a complete wire set because of one loose spark plug connector seems like a costly solution. Or send me your good, but one-wire loose plug wire sets. Backup sets of stainless core, silicone jacketed plug wires are appreciated.

Suggest making a "stop" from an old spark plug (or equivalent). Grind the OD of the tip slightly smaller, install, then squeeze the connector area slightly with a pair of pliers. Trial fit and repeat until the "click" sounds right.

+ 1 on using a RSR hold down. Here's a pic, about $10-$12 ea.; available from various sources:



Sherwood

[gamin]

Always used Beru on both 911s. Never any problems. Originals on the 70 lasted almost 40 years.

[Kidasters]

+1 on Clewett. Have had them on for 2 years with no issues.

If you have 35000 km on your wires, I wouldn't feel bad about changing them at your next tune up.

[Hendog]

I'll first try to tighten with pliers with a plug in the socket and see how that goes.

When I bought the Magnecors I was equally torn between these and the Clewetts. At the time the Clewetts had some very good responses and some not-so-good. To Clewetts defense, their reported product support was excellent. Anyhow I ended up with the Magnecors, and if I can secure the socket to plug then there's still lots of life left in them.

Thanks for the feedback.