What's the ideal method for FE spark plug wire routing?

[robroy]

Good afternoon!

I'd like to finalize the positions of the spark plug wires on my FE.

I notice that my valve covers have metal protrusions that look like they're made for spark plug wire routing aides.



Do these protrusions accept a standard type of plug wire routing fixture? Or do I need to find some from the same outfit that made the valve covers? (I think these valve covers might actually be made by Ford, although I'm not sure.)

Thanks very much for the fantastic advice!
Robroy

[Redcap]

I just let them sprawl over my engine like a pissed-off octopus.

[DuckRyder]

There are specific looms that go there, once again the usual suspects as far as mustang part suppliers should have them. The bad news is that I don't think anything bigger than 7mm or so is going to fit them.

While I'm certainly not saying mine is "right" here is how I did it:

[robroy]

Hello Aaron and Robert, thanks very much for your replies!

I just let them sprawl over my engine like a pissed-off octopus.

Hey that sounds like one method! If all else fails I'll ask you for more detailed steps on implementing this octopus strategy.

There are specific looms that go there, once again the usual suspects as far as mustang part suppliers should have them.

I see, thanks! And thanks for using the word "loom." I couldn't think of what to call those things so "protrusion" was as close as I could get! Yet a zebra's tail is also a "protrusion."

The bad news is that I don't think anything bigger than 7mm or so is going to fit them.

Ah-ha, thanks very much for pointing this out. I'm certain that I would have ordered some and been sorely disappointed when they wouldn't fit! My engine has 8mm wires on it.

While I'm certainly not saying mine is "right" here is how I did it:

Hey that is looking GREAT!

I zoomed in as far as I could on the photos, but I couldn't get a very precise view of the exact looms you're using. Are you using looms from a Mustang parts place?

Thanks very much Aaron and Robert!
Robroy

[DuckRyder]

Sure did:

SPARK PLUG WIRE SEPARATOR CLIP ON STYLE 65/73

They say that they will fit with 8mm wires.

[papabug71]

robroy, Those COBRA valve covers are the best looking valve covers of all time. I want a FE just so I can run a set of them.....

For some reason they just dont look as good on a small block as they do on an FE...

[robroy]

Hey Robert, thanks! I think I'll send off for a couple of those and give them a whirl. If they don't fit I can always use them as a magazine for peacock beaks.

Thanks again!
Robroy

[Doug Comer]

I put a set of R&M looms that go under the valve cover on mine. Got them from Summit, about 50 bucks. I like them with the wires that you have to put the ends on(can't think of the name ). The wires are 8mm MSD. If you like I can try to get a pic.

Doug

[FORDification]

Be sure to read my post here:

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 15&p=63634

[fordman]

dont run them through the gas tank.

[robroy]

Hey Doug, Keith, and Fordman, thanks very much for replying!

I put a set of R&M looms that go under the valve cover on mine. Got them from Summit, about 50 bucks. I like them with the wires that you have to put the ends on(can't think of the name ). The wires are 8mm MSD. If you like I can try to get a pic.

Doug, thanks for letting me know about this option! I think the methods I've come up with so far will work out OK for me. The way the wires are kept together now, with those funny chrome clamps on the wires themselves, kind of holds it together. I'm just trying to make them look better at this point.

Now that I know about this, I'll remember to ask you for photos if I want to go that route! Thanks!

Be sure to read my post here:

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 15&p=63634

Hey Keith! I read the post and it's very interesting! I'm not sure how important it is for me to keep my wires separate, since they're brand new, high end Taylor wires. It's funny that Proformance Unlimited (they installed them) put them on using tie wraps. For significant lengths of wire around the alternator, all four wires for one side of the engine are tightly coupled together using tie wraps!

That makes it look very tidy, but it makes me wonder about whether I should really pull them apart.

Keith, do you think it's worth the effort to pull the wires apart even if I'm using brand new Taylor 8MM wires? Thanks!

dont run them through the gas tank.

This I will try to avoid! Thanks for the tip Fordman!!!

So the looms (moose antlers) recommended by Robert arrived, and they look great!





There were little plastic bumps molded in to the looms that matched up perfectly with the holes in the valve cover loom mounts.




I pressed one of the 8MM wires in to it, and they do fit, although it's a very tight fit. I'm not sure how smart it is for me to be squishing the insulation on the wires that hard! So I'm not sure if I'll wind up using these looms or not. I might try to enlarge the holes somehow to make the fit more easy going.

Thanks very much for all the superb advice!
Robroy

[td]

im not running one of those cool FE's but i used these cool little clamp style from summit racing, they were made for 7mm wires but after drilling them all out a little they worked fine