Ignition Wiring - Secondary Thoughts

When it comes to ignition specialty tools, you can tackle most any job by using manufacturer-supplied crimp dies (usually vise-clamp type). For more frequent use, however, consider a ratcheting multi tool.

Same can be said for wire stripping when it comes to tool of choice. When using pliers to strip a spiral-core, as shown here, make sure to strip only the insulating layers; damage to the conductor wire will adversely effect performance.

While the ratcheting pliers are nice to have, I often end up using a good old pencil-sharpener type wire stripper that came with a set of Mallory wires years ago.

MSD's supplied crimping die also features a stripping guide-just insert the wire and, using a razor or X-ACTO knife, carefully trim excess insulation off as you rotate wire inside the guide.

Before crimping a terminal onto a plug wire, determine whether or not to install the plug boot

-with standard-type terminals, especially 90-degree ones, it's best to have the boot in place first instead of trying to force it over the terminal and risking the chance of damaging the crimp.

As previously mentioned, the HEI terminals used by MSD require two crimps-one for the primary conductor wire as well as the traditional insulation crimp.

The mini-crimp tool does not have a provision for the conductor wire crimp (simply use a set of pliers), but the multi-tool can perform both crimps almost effortlessly.

If you need to further justify having a ratcheting tool as such, there are replacement crimping dies available, allowing you to perform a number of crimping tasks above and beyond plug wires.

Whether installing a plug boot before or after crimping a terminal, to help ease the situation, use a dab of dielectric grease to prevent the two silicone components from binding up.

If the above-mentioned tool is out of the question...

... you can still achieve a production-type crimp with the vice-mounted mini crimpers most manufacturers supply with high-performance wire sets.

Once cutting and fitting wires is done and out of the way, no matter how you ultimately route said wires from the spark plugs to distributor cap, use some sort of separating device to prevent any possible crossfire or arching.

Typically, choices for popular plug wire (7, 8, and 8.5 mm) separators are nearly unlimited, however, if you happen to find yourself installing a set of the mini 5mm Ferro-Siral wires, you don't have many choices to begin with-that's where creative thinking comes in!

Don't let all your hard work making and installing a brand-new plug wire set go to waste by ripping a terminal from its connection (often the result of pulling from the wire "behind" the crimped terminal).

Do yourself and your wires a favor-grab a handy plug boot remover at the local auto parts store next time you're buying plugs or oil. They're only a couple bucks, which is a nominal price to pay for insurance against having to replace a terminal.