Solid core spark plug wires ???

I just installed a new Pertronix-2 ignition and coil in my car tonight. It has a 250 six in it. The directions said not to use solid core plug wires. What are solid core plug wires? I ***ume I don't have them. Can someone enlighten me? Thanks, Todd

 

I think they became popular with high compression alcohol or nitro engines to get the hottest spark possible with no pulse delay. Today you would need an FCC license to transmit that much RF

They make shields now that go over the plug wires that you ground out all the RF on solid core wires, and not pollute the RF spectrum.

Being a radio transmitter, the RF will confuse any electronic device, which includes CD ignition and ABS brakes.

Sort of a disclaimer. Don't use their box with an RF transmitter nearby, as it will probably misfire and cause possible engine damage. Which also says something about their RF shielding, which for a consumer grade product, is zero.

 

Solid core wires are just stranded copper wire or steel stranded wire. Modern suppression core wires use a carbon core. If you have changed wires in the recent past you more than likely have modern suppresion core wires.

 

Unless you have added the old time see through wires like we used in the 50s, it's highly unlikely that you have solid core wires. They are not easy to find for the guys that like them. Solid core stranded wires were a performance upgrade in the 50s-60s. No modern ignition wires are stranded anymore unless they are made specifically for the 50s look.

 

Who remembers Packard 440.wire?

 

lots of folks run it on here

I'm one of em.

 

Go here:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364269

Basically you need to run a spiral wound wire as opposed to a stranded wire with your electronic. Lots of reasons but one of them is that the old style solid wire makes too much noise and confuses the control mod.

Try a set of Taylor Sprio Pro wires. Low resistance and good longevity.

Or if you want to look a little more retro contact Summit Racing (PM for number I'm not advertising) there are several companies making wires now that will work with modern electronic ignition and look like the old stuff.

 

Still got a partial roll of 440. One of my neighbors has a '53 Ford that keeps remote garage door openers from working if he's out in the street across from them. We think it might be the solid wires. Now if that would only work on cell phones...

 

watch out cruising thru road const. esp. when they are blasting.....

 

How partial? I may be looking for some Packard wire for a hot rod I'm working on.

 

I sure do! But if you have it, it's because you went to a lot of trouble to get the stuff.

These will be powered by a Chrysler electronic conversion of an old Mallory. My flathead ran the same set up for years with a generator and no problems. But if the manufacturer say no then don't risk any warranty.

 

Spiral core is available from several makers...it contains a spiral of wire wound around a core...don't know if core is just a matrix for the winding or if it is also a carbon core or whatever.
I was told the the radio emissions go 90 degrees to axis of wire, so normal stranded wire like 440 is transmitting to the world, whereas with the spiral the transmission is largely axial to the cable. Don't know if that explanation is actually correct. I have run spiral type on semi modern cars with no radio interference noticeable.

 

What is the stuff they sell at Brillman and the Hot Rod Company? I thought that was solid core as well.

 

You can still buy stranded wire (solid core) from any number of companies.
Moroso, Mallory Taylor to name a few.

Bruce I don't think the wire cares what it is wound around. A lot of the fellas are running sprial wound wires with a kevlar core these days they say it is more durable.

That is a pretty logical explanation for the interference thing. I personally don't have a problem with radio interference, don't have one. I wonder if it will screw up someones bumpin sterio. Them guys drive me nutz.

 

Don't use solid core plug wires
with elecronic ignition the electroncs can burn
i have burned a unilite module with solid wires

 

Here is a good explaination about ignition wire types....

http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/truth.htm

 

I thought i read some where, that it is ok to run SOLID CORE WIRES with PETRONIX??

 

On my 49 Merc Flathead and I had the same problem with my garage door. I thought it was funny until until installed a set of Stuart Warner electric gauges. The tach and speedo needles were all over the dials. I had to remove the solid wires and installed EMI/RFI suppression wires and all was well. I would have to say don't use them.

 

Lots of cars have solid core wires with 3000 ohm resistor packs at each sparkplug connector built into the wire.

This is a great set-up because the resistance is not dependent upon wire length. The solid core wires have virtually no resistance in the lengths we are talking about, with a 3000 ohm end load.

Ask a local autoparts store to pull a set of wires for, say, an 86 944 if you want an example.

 

It is...as long as it's the original Ignitor series. It's the Ignitor II series that you can't run the solid core wires with. Naturally I didn't find this out until I opened the box after buying it and read the directions.

 

I know this is an old thread but posting this because it is good info. I just purchased both the Pertronixs 1 igniter and 1.5 ohm Flamethrower coil. I spoke with Pertronix tech yesterday, and they told me no solid core wires for any of their versions. Now I am shopping for new resister wires.

 

Yep, and I have a package of new wires sitting here for the same reason....

 

This is straight from the horses mouth but it's also good to know that lots of people have used the Ignitor 1 and solid core wires for years with no problems.

 

with rajah clips

 

Take this for what is worth, all of the Pertronix units in our tractors have solid core wires. Up until recently, I don’t remember them saying anything about not using solid core stuff. I guess I’ll wait and see what happens.


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Everything HOT ROD I own has solid core wires , 32 , Harley , not one issue and not one miss fire

 

Same here. A real engine needs real wire.

 

Thing is, carbon core wires work pretty good when they are new, but they tend to wear out fairly quickly. Especially the coil wire. They are prone to damage easily too. I don't believe solid wires wear out as such.

 

I used them back in the late 70's on my 340 Dart. Really messed with peoples TV reception before cable.

 

My Ford 2.3 I am installing in a 67 Sunbeam Alpine has solid copper wires and a home-built POINTS dizzy. After much research I have learned points are just as good as electronics up to about 6000 RPM...especially on a 4-banger. Points make a longer spark, which is why MSD was invented. No one wants to admit it, but less to no maintenance, is the real reason for electronic ignitions, plus points can't be controlled by a computer. Okay they could, but it would be like computer-controlling a manual typewriter. What's the point? Sorry, no pun intended.