Fuelish Pleasure Boats by Pratt Larry;

Author:Pratt, Larry;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SMP Press

Spark-Plug Wires

The spark-plug wires need to carry all of the voltage from the distributor to the plugs—and they need to be able to handle this load the entire time that the boat is running. This means the wires must be in great shape, perhaps in better shape than they appear. A stock spark-plug wire might be about 6 millimeters in diameter. This wire can be solid or stranded, made of copper, and have minimum insulation. It may also be old. Do not trust this wire to carry the voltage needed to do a good job.

Carefully examine the entire length of each wire and the terminal ends. In addition, be sure to look at the entire engine room in the dark: stray sparks and shorts are readily visible!

At this point, if the boat owner has opted for a higher-voltage coil and widened the plug gap, a spark-plug wire change is necessary; the stock wires from an older engine cannot withstand the new demands.

Many wire makers offer a spiral-wound spark-plug set that is larger in diameter and better designed. Old-style braided wires run directly down the center of the insulation. If that insulated coating ever splits, the electricity will jump out of the wire to the closest, easiest path it can find.

However, a spiral-wound wire has been manufactured so that in the case of an insulation split, the electricity will jump to the next coil in the spiral and not out of the wire (see Figure 9-1). This feature means that the wire can safely carry more voltage. In addition, spiral-wound wires are a bit larger in diameter, with thick insulation.

Performance Plug Wires

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