An easy way to make sure the sparkplug wires are firmly seated

[Jon Weywadt]

While I was playing with my cooling pipes, I also replaced the sparkplug wires. I had bought a set from Simons, but I found that the insulation was not up to specs. If I got too close to a wire it would zap me. So I have switched to a set with heavier silicon insulation, that I bought in Biltema.

As you all know it can be difficult to seat the cables firmly on the sparkplugs because they are located deep in the head. I therefore made the tool you see on the pictures below, from a spare piece of pipe, stainless of course   (actually that was incidental, because the pipe was left over from a shoe rack that I modified)

If your sparkplug wires have a ridge on the insulation, like mine, then they are suited for this type of tool. On the first picture you see that I cut a slit in the pipe, only a bit wider that the thickness of the cable. At the bottom of the slit I bent the pipe in so it did not leave an edge that could cut into the cable. Smooth the edges and the tool is done.

Now I just slide the tool over the cable as you can see. The pipe pushes on the ridge and sticks about 8 cm out of the engine when pushing the cable onto the plug. I can now get a good firm push to seat the cable (and my hand is not in the way of the mirror, that can be necessary to hit the plug dead on.  )

[Oskar]

very clever  i remember how hard it could be when I had a 505 turbo (had 3 )

[krede]

very clever  i remember how hard it could be when I had a 505 turbo (had 3 )

And how many of those cracked the cylinderheads?

[Anders Dinsen]

I used to find the plug wires difficult to access, but not any more. Getting your hand in the right angle to get a good grip with your fingers around the rubber is the trick, I think. And take it easy, sometimes they stick. I wouldn't trust a tool as I'd be afraid of it slipping and damaging the wire.

/Anders