Testing Spark Plug Wires

[uxler]

The plug wires on my 93 look to be the original wires and at 170K miles id think they surely need replacing. Called the ford dealer and they want $225 for new wires so I figured Id scour the junkyard for a better set. I pulled matching 8mm motorcraft wires from a 97 Continental for $8 and id like to test the wires with a multi-meter. What ohms/resistance reading would indicate a good set of wires for this car. Also changing the spark plugs and need to know the correct gap. thanks

John

 

[JMiles_T]

Gap is .054"

 

[formerknown]

You should've just bought the 9mm Ford Racing wires from Summit for $100. Or the MSD 8.5's for $80...

 

[uxler]

May have to go with Summit or MSD's. The wires I pulled were fairly new and appear to be in good condition. Just wanted to test them with the multi-meter before I get new ones.

 

[vr4]

ford motorsport wires are cheaper than OEM for some odd reason.

as for testing....IIRC you want no more than 10k ohms per foot for the plug wires. thats a general rule.

 

[rmac694203]

I got the MSD's a while back and am happy with them. Just make sure you put in a 96 cobra for your vehicle and not a Mark VIII. I put Mark VIII as my vehicle and they sent me wires for a SOHC 4.6. As for plugs I always use Autolite 764's gapped at .048

 

[uxler]

Will test and post results tommorow. Thanks for the input

 

[Icarus]

nvm, sorry, didnt read all of vr4 post...

 

[billcu]

Measuring the resistance of the wire won't tell you anything about the insulation of the wires.

I wouldn't bother putting used wires on a car.

 

[lscmkviii]

You could do an insulation resistance test with a megger. The only problem is I don't know what the values are expected to be? (we do it all the time at work.....on submarines)..

 

[vr4]

Measuring the resistance of the wire won't tell you anything about the insulation of the wires.

I wouldn't bother putting used wires on a car.

youre right. resistance wont tell you a thing about the insulation.....but water will.

 

[Doc]

Does anyone have the summit part # ?

 

[02LSE96LSC91SE84TC]

The Ford Racing ones are M-12259-C464. If you want the MSDs just use 96 Cobra as your car and make sure its for the 4.6 4V. I had the MSDs first and the FRPP ones now, I like the FRPPs they seem to be a better quality overall.

 

[Doc]

Thank You!!

 

[02LSE96LSC91SE84TC]

Thank You!!

No prob.