Spark plug wire discussion

[J Wikoff]

I was about to order a new set of plug wires... and I can't remember that last good discussion we had on wires.

I've had Beldin wires for a few years. They are satisfactory, but I've got a misfire that I think I've narrowed down to the wires. Last time I got a set, there were two sets of Beldins available from Napa. Online, I only see one set of Beldins... the "Beldin MAX".

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/N ... +-+Premium

Does anyone have reason to buy them over ACDelcos?

[GoldenBullet]

have you tried bringing your beldins back to NAPA? they should have a lifetime warranty. which was my reasoning for buying them over the delcos.

[J Wikoff]

Uh no. Would I need a receipt? I'm sure I don't have it.

[GoldenBullet]

ive heard some places require them and someplaces dont, might need the box too. worth a shot tho.

[J Wikoff]

Now, if I were to get ACDelcos, what's the difference between these at RockAuto?

ACDELCO Part # 9626D {#88862389}
Spark Plug Wire Kit W/DELCO COIL PACK

$31.79 $0.00 $31.79


ACDELCO Part # 626D {replaces 12074048 #12074048, 12074087, 19154581, 626F}
Spark Plug Wire Kit 2ND DESIGN; USED ON ENG W/DELCO-REMY IGN MDL SPARK PLUG WIRE TERM IN 1 ROW OF 6 TERM, FOR 1ST DES SEE 12074043

$35.79 $0.00 $35.79

[1337ssei]

napa wanted my receipt and origional box
Beldens dont seem to be very good if you pull your plugs often. I guess if your going to change them then forget them get the AC Delcos. Otherwise, I would go for the MSDs if you pull your wires to check your plugs every few months.

[J Wikoff]

I've had MSD's (well, still have them, I'm using one I tested in place of one that had worn through the insulation rubbing on something). After about a year or so, three of them developed poor/inconsistant connections. These Beldins, I've tested them all, and they seem to make a good circuit, but when I swap them around, the behavior of the miss changes.

[radomirthegreat]

With AC Delco wires, no matter where you are, as long as you can walk in some place that sells new wires, you can get a replacement. That might be a stretch, but it's what I've become accustomed to. Belden plug wires are very nice, just like the AC Delco wires, but before buying them I asked and was told that I do indeed need a box and a receipt. So, I went with Delco. All my AC Delco capable cars run these wires, and the others are Ferds.

[J Wikoff]

Seriously? No box or receipt or anything? Crap. I already ordered the ACDelcos. Oh well. I guess I won't have to buy anymore.

Oh, I also bought a set for my wife's Grand Am, which still has the original ACDelcos on it. That's where that comment came from.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

There's always Autolite. They look up the warranty info via phone number. But that limits you to Advance.

[BillBoost37]

I've had MSD's (well, still have them, I'm using one I tested in place of one that had worn through the insulation rubbing on something). After about a year or so, three of them developed poor/inconsistant connections. These Beldins, I've tested them all, and they seem to make a good circuit, but when I swap them around, the behavior of the miss changes.

There is an inherent problem with testing wires. When you use an ohm meter you have moved the wire any movement may allow the core to once again make a direct contact and test as good. By swapping them and seeing the problem move you have done the best diagnosis test of a wire.

All the Belden's I've tried to return required receipt and box. That's what makes them junk to me, you have to plan and save stuff in order to return them.

[J Wikoff]

The difference between the part numbers above is 8mm vs 7mm.

[SacramentoE85]

If you bought the original wires by credit card, you should be able to get a copy of the purchase from the credit card company. It may be easy to print it off on-line even, or perhaps you have the original monthly statement from back then.

With the credit card information your purchase is likely still in the store's computer database for purchasing them at that time.

It's fine that you've already just purchased replacements. Hopefully they will credit the purchase (or part of it if it is guaranteed partially up to a certain lifetime) back onto your card, or at least give you an in-store credit to use on another purchase.

My 2 cents, hope they help.

-SacramentoE85

[J Wikoff]

I could only tell them I bought them at Napa in Galesburg a few years ago and there's a better then good chance I used a debit card for a bank I no longer use.

The new ones came today and I was just about to go to the garage and slap em on. I'll live.

[SacramentoE85]

Well, I hope that solves the problem then. I replaced the wires once on the '92 SE and it helped, plus the fuel economy increased 15%. Must have had a bad problem for a while before that to see that much improvement.

[ron350]

J Wikoff can you please tell me what markings are on the new Delco plug wires?

My replacement Delco plug wires have “ACDelco PREMIUM SILICONE 7MM” and the original wires just had “PACKARD”.

[J Wikoff]

They say "AC Delco Premium 8mm - Silicone" on them. The set I got for the Grand Am say the same, but 7mm.

Well, I hope that solves the problem then. I replaced the wires once on the '92 SE and it helped, plus the fuel economy increased 15%. Must have had a bad problem for a while before that to see that much improvement.

The miss seems gone this morning. I think they did the trick.

[ron350]

Thanks for the information.

[olblueeyesbonne]

John, at least take the Beldens in to a Napa or two if necessary -I've never had a problem returning them w/o reciept or box. I would walk in with the wires in hand, tell them what they were for, they'd bring the box with the new ones to the counter, pull the new wires out and put the returns in the box.
I've done this at a few different stores (always went to the nearest Napa) when doing wires for myself and others.

I really suggest doing it and then you could sell the replacement Belden's on here and recoup some money.

[J Wikoff]

I might give that a shot.