Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical What's the neatest/coolest/cleverest/pretty way to route plug wires on a SBC?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by atch, Apr 13, 2025.

  1. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,179

    atch
    Member

    When Clarence had rams horn exhaust this was easy. I just ran the wires under the exhaust just like the factory did. Heat shields and all.

    For the last year it's had SS block hugger headers. So far the wires are just a hodgepodge of "put one here" and "put one there". It's really a conglomerate hot mess. I don't worry about it too much 'cause the hood is seldom open. However, when it is open it's because I'm looking/checking/repairing/etc. and I don't like the way the wires look.

    I've given thought to just about every commercially available loom and so far none of them trip my trigger.

    So please show me your wire routing with headers; preferably block huggers. Or even just describe what you think might be good.

    b-t-w; there is an alternator and A/C compressor; both mounted "high" over the valve covers. I'm not opposed to fabricating a solution; I'm pretty well resigned to the fact that this will be the final solution.

    Many thanks in advance.
     
  2. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,128

    squirrel
    Member

    how much effort did you take to try to use the previous wire setup with the new headers? I think it can be done...at least I did it once...I'll see if I can find pictures.
     
  3. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,361

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Cut to fit wires ,
    Magneto stye cap or points style
    Then crap cap , & under
    headers / exhaust manifold.
    Angle plug headers work best for
    Both head style.
    IMG_3228.png
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2025
  4. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,549

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Jeff Peterson down in Texas at The Preserve hot rod shop had a real neat set up a few years ago. He had 4 chrome tubes running in the dip where the intake and the valve covers kinda meet. All 4 plugs went all the way to the front then the tubes turned down and a couple inches down the plug wire existed and went under the headers from the front. Pretty wild looking. Kinda like the flathead ones that have an individual tube for each wire.

    oh! Along those lines Jordan Bennet did some neat plug wire tubes for a sbc in a roadster recently let me find his video
     
    rattlecanrods, -Brent- and Sharpone like this.
  5. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,549

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    There we go

     
    osage orange, BigRRR, G_Don and 5 others like this.
  6. Mike VV
    Joined: Sep 28, 2010
    Posts: 3,329

    Mike VV
    Member
    from SoCal

    YOUR car...YOU pick !!

    It'll give you something to think about, next time that you need to use the...toilet.

    If you use a high power system, I DO NOT recommend putting the wires in any metallic or carbon fiber tube, like many do when using Flat Head engines.
    I've seen sparks jump all over in the evening (semi-dark). Even when the wires were new and the tubes were clean (new!).

    Mike
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2025
  7. Went underneath like stock; just had to run the front two on each side below the pan rail and tight to the pan as they went by the collector.

    Are block huggers that much better than ramhorns?
     
  8. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 7,931

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Look at a small block C2 Corvette some time. It's complicated and makes it difficult to even change a set of wires, but it's well organized, that's for sure.
     
  9. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 15,009

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Yep, beat me to it. Corvette ignition shielding looks cool, and I like those little chrome wing nuts.
     
    Toms Dogs, verno30 and mad mikey like this.
  10. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,179

    atch
    Member

    These block huggers REALLY hug the block. It would be impossible to go underneath.

    Probably no performance enhancement. They just look cool.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2025
  11. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,128

    squirrel
    Member

    pardon the billet crap...this was a friend's car I worked on 20 some years ago

    ds.jpg ps.jpg
     
  12. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 7,931

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Not the radio shielding so much, but the way it is supported all the way down the back of the engine and through the "V" shaped brackets under the ram's horns.The heat shielding is a nice feature too, and is separate from the radio shielding, which has caused for scratches and cuts on my hands than just about anything else. I was able to get ALL of the shielding back on my Corvette. It was one of the most finicky jobs of the whole project.:rolleyes:
    Corvette shielding.gif

    Edit : I just noticed that this diagram does not show the routing brackets below the distributor at the rear of the block.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2025
  13. Like this, under header , hidden, if you can pull it off with your headers and not burn boots or wires. WIN_20210424_16_31_41_Pro.jpg
     
  14. I hate seeing wires over the valve covers on a sbc unless you have no other option, mine are somewhat hidden. WIN_20210424_16_30_22_Pro.jpg
     
  15. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,179

    atch
    Member

    Thanks Tim.

    I was wondering how to get those little "flairs" where the plug wires exit the tube. Pretty simple once you see someone else do it. Well, it's simple looking, but I bet it's a lot harder to do than it looks.
     
    Tim likes this.
  16. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,179

    atch
    Member

    Jim,

    Are those wires far enough from the exhaust tubes to prevent melting the insulation? I (so far) haven't considered going under because I think the wires will burn due to the close proximity to the hot tubes.

    Mikey,

    I wish I had the room you have to go underneath. No such luxury with block huggers.
     
    mad mikey likes this.
  17. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,128

    squirrel
    Member

    You'd want to use silicone wire (I think they all are these days) and be careful about how they're routed. I think it will be OK.

    Take a long look at the engine first, see if you think there is room for the wires.
     
  18. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,967

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

  19. I used tri five looms at the rear of block and intake. The front pair run along the oil pan rail. I've used both home made and early Corvette wire brackets on the pan rail.
    Universal, cut to length wires with right angle on the spark plug end.
    1698209940017_20200102_141514.jpg
    1698210228837_20220629_103904.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2025
  20. TerrytheK
    Joined: Sep 12, 2004
    Posts: 1,555

    TerrytheK
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Although I'm using rams horns manifolds, I have tight clearances too and didn't really want to run plug wires underneath. R&M looms from Summit with cut to length wires in the proper color and universal wire separators from Taylor. If you need to keep the wires above the headers it might be an option. Worked for me.

    DSC_1297_1200.jpg

    DSC_1296_1200.jpg
     
    72yenkonova, catdad49 and 6-bangertim like this.
  21. MAD MIKE
    Joined: Aug 1, 2009
    Posts: 907

    MAD MIKE
    Member
    from 94577

    Factory routing on my OT Fairmont has little trees that mount over studs protruding from the 302 valve cover bolts.
    They are angled and keep the wires running along side the valve cover stacked vertically. Very nice clean installation. Too bad it's unnoticeable with the gigantic York comprsesor on one side and and Thermacotor tubing on the other.

    C'mon Leno's Law!!!
     
  22. IMG_8546.jpeg Mike, this the left side of Papaw, I used Moroso plug wire looms with plug wires for a 1977 C-10 with a 350. Don’t ask about the other side, it has a Ram’s Horn on it and the wires run under the manifold like stock. Those are 1978 Corvette.
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2025
  23. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,128

    squirrel
    Member

    The main problem with the block hugger headers is that half of the plug wires want to be underneath, the other half want to be on top. I wonder if you could just route them that way..put the end plug wires underneath, run the two middle ones to a wire loom on the valve cover.

    Sure would look dorky, but the wires would be where they want to be.
     
  24. chevyfordman
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 1,482

    chevyfordman
    Member

    I've done two engines with Squeegi's wire holders, he's in Arizona. DSCN3481.jpeg DSCN3480.jpeg
     
  25. Bunch of ways, depends what you like. Do you mind if they're over the valve cover, do they need to come from the top or underside, is there enough room behind the valve cover and firewall for wires, angle plug or straight plug, straight, 45 deg or 90 deg boot.

    You could make a modified version of the stock Flathead tube

    https://www.badinnovations.com/product-page/small-block-chevy-standard-plug-wire-retainer-set
    https://www.squeegskustoms.com/product-page/small-block-chevy-chrysler-spark-plug-wire-separator-kit
    https://www.moroso.com/small-block-chevy-super-loom-kit-black-7-9mm72174/
    https://www.moroso.com/small-block-chevy-show-car-loom-kit-black-7-9mm72167/

    Or low buck zip tie:
    https://www.hotrod.com/news/wrenchin-wednesday-zip-tie-engineering-plug-wire-and-hose-organizer/
     
  26. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 7,541

    RodStRace
    Member

    I really dislike those route all 4 along the top billet stuff. It was the second thing I yanked off the T. The first was the fake injector scoop. :eek:
    If they have to go over the top, I'd go with the tall stands on the back of the intake and the wire holders at the lower valve cover bolts, like the factory did on some. Not as neat as under, but if the headers don't allow that, this would be second best for my eyes.
    [​IMG]
     
    LCGarage, Special Ed and bschwoeble like this.
  27. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,179

    atch
    Member

    To all:
    After looking at Clarence for several minutes I've come to the following observations and conclusions:
    • #1 and #2 currently and will have to remain coming towards the front of the engine
    • #3, #4, #5, & #6 MUST come upwards toward the valve covers. If I turned the existing 90° plug boots to under the exhaust tubes the plug wires would touch the pipes.
    • #7 & #8 are the easy ones; they come underneath towards the rear of the engine and can stay that way; there are no pipes for them to come close to

    @chevyfordman,

    This is petty close to what I was considering making. I didn't know they were available "over-the-counter". I Googled Squeegi and every iteration of it that I could think of. Do you have a link or contact information?
     
    manyolcars likes this.
  28. Squeeg's link is in post 26, above.
     
  29. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,179

    atch
    Member

    Somehow I had missed that. Thanks.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.