Plug wires

makemc

Senior Member
I am going to installing new plug wires and will have to cut and install terminals on the end of the wires...does anyone know of a crimping tool for this, I've checked the local parts stores..or does anyone have one I could borrow..the only one I found was 36.00..hate to pay that much for something I may only use once. would be glad to pay for shipping both ways and even a reasonable rental fee..
 
If you're talking about new wires (like real wire aka Packard 440) and you're talking about the ends that plug into the cap (s) for a flathead, I usually solder the ends on. For the spark plug ends, I use Rajah terminals that screw on.
Not sure what you're doing, hope this helps
Jim
 
Get your wires SS or Copper from Coles ign. in NY proper color and ends for spark plugs already on and correct for yr. 1-585-342-9613 9 t0 5 M-F. I also solder dist ends on.
 
I guess I should have said..these are for my 59A..in my 46..I got the wires from Bubbas alone with a crab style dist. and cap.. the wires have the plug end on and he sent terminals and boots for the dist. end.. these are the type terminals you crimp on after you feed the wires thru the loom and then cut to lenght, I know this is not original equip. but it is more serviceable, my old dist. and wires are the original type but are about 20 yrs. old and time to change. I know they make a tool for this but I think I can just crimp with pliers..Thanks
 
Unless you have a set of wires from a crab setup the lengths to cut will be unknown,try and fit deal. Just dont cut too short. I would still solder the dist ends on to the wires.Strip about 1/4" off the ends and stick the wire through the end hole of the butterfly clip and solder. Brush rosin on the surface before you solder them.ken ct.
 
I agree with Ken and Kahuna. You need to solder them to what ever clip you use.

Here is a picture of mine on the 36lb. I like these ends for some reason.
picture.php
 
Taylor has a crimping tool. The part number is 43395. I think this will do what you want. I have used it on a couple of cars and was very satisfactory.

Check with Summit or Jegs for it.
 
By the time you "borrow" one (unless the guy lives very close), ship it both ways, and a reasonable rental fee it would probably be cheaper to buy one. JMO This is after shipping two pkgs to MO y/day for $32+.

Paul in CT
 
I like Butch does, use a coaxial cable crimper, about the same size wire, and inexpensive. The trouble I encountered was the clip that you solder on had a triangular piece that sets inside the wire once you push it on, however I had trouble getting the braded cable twisted enough so that the thickness of it would fit thru the triangular hole that is there and the traingular piece that fit in the hole that will go inside the spark plug wire, I managed after some time and got them soldered.

Note: I used the lacquered wire type and will never use again, I have a 47. Extremely difficult to work with because of the pushing and pulling and trying to get cables fed thru wire looms and thru crab cap, not so pretty when done, the lacquer cracks and isn't pretty. I assembled everything before I stuck it on the car, but I had taken everything off of the motor to detail so it wasn't so difficult with everything else in the way like coil, generator etc. The only wire that came out looking like it went thru a garbage dispossal was the coil wire, because you have to feed it thru that finger hole in the boot. I used dawn liquid soap here and there to get things to slide easily here and there when needed, just put a tad on fingers and put on wire where needed. I never had to cut any wires I sized them up and went from there I labeled wire at both ends with blue masking and sharpie marker to keep them numbered correct when putting in cap and pulling thru loom, even though the bottom half of cap is numbered.

Good Luck, Henry was not kind to us when it comes to this task. lol!!!!
 
Another good one is the Brillman Company.
And Peewee, if you use spray silicone, the wires go thru the looms just fine and without damage
 
Napa sells a crimper that will do either straight or 90° ends for either plug ends or distributor ends. I have had mine for years and they still work great. Use silicone spray on the boots or where the wires go through the tubes on a flathead.
 
I don't think that sparknwire is to commercial. They are just giving another source for the ignition wires / supplies / fasteners.
I was at Hershey weeks ago and was told after the owner (John Cole) died in 2007 the business was released from the family and its under different management. Cole's is currently in the process of selling it off. The actual family of Cole has restarted up the wire business under a different name years ago along with their fastener division.
 
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