Spark Plug cables

I'd like to ask an elementary/basic question. My 350 engine has a GM HEI distributor with Belden Premium High Temperature 8mm spark plug cables that are medium grey. The cables look a bit grungy and need cleaning up. Thought about using mineral spirits or acetone or carb cleaner but am afraid these solvents will compromise the cable. The back of a WD40 can says cleans most surfaces of grease and grime. Is WD40 the way to go?

 

carb cleaner, mineral spirits or wd40 will not hurt your wires, and i doubt acetone will either

 

i have cleaned MANY plug wires with Lacquer Thinner over the years - never a problem. Just don't soak em in it. I just wet a shop rag and go over them

 

Try the wd40 or mineral spirits.
Wd40 samed my ass a bunch of times, it gets lots of stuff off of where it doesn't belong.
Most engine cleaners too.

 

Goop hand cleaner. Used it many times on plug wires. Wipe on with rag, wipe off.

 

purple clean works real good too.

 

i would have had the cleaned off already with whatever was closest. your over thinking. it took more time to get to the computer. geez

 

I have used carb cleaner on a rag to clean them, also takes off the stupid lettering on the wires.-MIKE

 

Anything that will remove grease or grime.

 

WD40 or Carb Cleaner here. Spray on rag, wipe the wires.

 

did you really ask that?

 

I drove a '55 Chevy for 14 years. It was misfiring after awhile. I stuck my head under the hood one night while the engine was running. Sparks were jumping from one cable to another. The cause I believe was due to improperly cleaning the spark plug cables with the wrong solvent. The solvent may have caused the wires to dry out and develop these circular cracks in the insulation.

 

Spray brake clean on a rag or 3M adhesive cleaner.

 

......or they were just old........so why don't you tell us what you believe is the wrong solvent?

 

I did. Read my opening post. Those were the solvents I used back in the day. The spark plug cables were the yellow ACCEL's.

 

Well wires do wear out on the inside and need replaced anyway eventually.
But some chemicals will eat soft parts, like wires and screwdriver handles.
Man am i pissed about Carb cleaner eating my favorite screwdriver handle!!!!

Some great cleaners for hard parts that eat soft parts.
Lacquer thinner
Brake cleaner
Carb cleaner
Mass airflow sensor cleaner
Gas

 

wait till it grows fuzzies ( they do that for some unknown reason )

as for wires I find goop is best as its non petroleum based and will not dry the silicone out . but I have also used simple green and dawn dish soap and hot water with good results . but if the wires are over 5 years old , I pitch them and make new ones as the carbon and filiments in them break down.

 

What they all said!

4TTRUK