topic says it all. put a new cap & rotor on today & i went to time the ignition and my friend started laughin. seems on the #1 cyl the spark is goin right from the boot bypassing the plug & goin straight to the block. is it time for new wires or is my plug shot?

 

87,

Replace the wires, for sure. I've had really good luck with the Packard Electric 8mm silicone/monels, P/N 24502522, about 50 ohms/foot and no radio noise. These fit in the factory looms and route behind the heads in the stock manner.

The actual brand may not matter a lot, but at least get good quality silicone resistance wires, and 7mm is the bare minimum diameter. Solid wires are more susceptible to physical damage from bending and flexing, and they don't supress the aftersparks, nor radio interference. Better quality wires will have plated brass terminations and secondary spring clips on the terminals to maintain good contact at the distributor posts and spark plugs.

Don't forget to use the silicone dielectric grease to seal the boots at both ends on installation.

Start with that, and you may be able to take the "POS" out of your login name.

 

I use the Taylor Spiro-Pro 8mm (stock diameter) wires myself. They last 100,000 miles or more with no problems until they commit suicide by falling out of the looms and ending up against the exhaust.

The Accel wires have a reputation for not being the best. IMHO you should consider a new set of something else if they turn out to be fornicated.

I've seen wires where one strand of the conductor (if they're actual wire, not the graphite-impregnated core) will be left uncut at the factory when it's folded back and the connector crimped on, and it will be sticking out the back of the boot... something you might want to look at before whipping out your credit card.

 

I just put on the Taylors a few days ago hoping it was a good decision. Thanks for confirming that RB.

 

taylor wires are pretty good, i have those in.

Crane Cams also has a really cheap, really good set of wires out that i recomend. $40 for a custom set, 400 OHMS a foot, not the BEST, but very close to the top, especialy for the price

 

I use the Taylors whenever I can. My pickup wasnt very friendly about it though

Ive had a couple sets of Accels in the past, one I had a miss that was cured when I got a set of Taylors and the other set wasnt that old and decided they were done and started a light show under the hood. Its kinda pretty with the lights out in a dark area though

Check what RB said about the wire being exposed outside of the boot first. Next you can get the boot off (its sort of a pain, but doable) and check to see if the wire is burnt up or damaged, and maybe you can fix it if you dont wanna spring for a new set.

 

I think im just gonna spring for a new set. should i go for a Universal set or a custom for my car. Im running full length headers & the block is from a 72 El Camino. If need be i'll take some pics for u guys.