Plug wire replacement

  • rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    February 4, 2013 at 1:15 am #1280521

    Instead of watching the game I replaced the spark plugs in my ’99 Century with 45K miles on it. After starting it up I just went to replace the spark plug wires and the OMC wires I have don’t have the piston number on them. I realize I can take them off one at a time and find the one with the correct length, but am a bit hesitant to start that process because it screams of a mistake to me. Is it “normal” to not have the piston number on OEM replacement sets?

    sjc
    Posts: 28
    February 4, 2013 at 1:25 am #1137732

    It is fairly common for spark plug wires to not be labeled with cylinder numbers. A search of the internet with the engine specifics and yaer should yeild a firing order diagram to ensure that you have the wiring correct, may even be on the coil pack or radiator support.

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    February 4, 2013 at 1:28 am #1137734

    Ya, the firing order is on the coil but I have a box of plug wires where each is a different length. I can take them off one at a time and match the length…just wondering if that is the “proper procedure” now.

    trumar
    Rochester, Mn
    Posts: 5967
    February 4, 2013 at 1:31 am #1137735

    #1,3,5 front cylinders by the radiator and #2,4,6 cylinders are by the firewall side. #1 cylinder is radiator side furthest to the left. work left to right, #2 is just on other side of block as #1 ans so forth.

    Agreed… after market plug wires are NOT labeled.

    Take on wire off at a time and match length old to new .

    sjc
    Posts: 28
    February 4, 2013 at 1:35 am #1137740

    Yes that is the proper procedure, and is what I have done in the past. I like to start with the longest wires first and work my way to the shortest wire matching the new wires to the old for length.

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    February 4, 2013 at 1:35 am #1137741

    Quote:

    #1,3,5 front cylinders by the radiator and #2,4,6 cylinders are by the firewall side.

    I must speak in gibberish…which is very possible.

    Should I just match length of old to new one at time and hope the length on the last one is correct? (my attempt at non-gibberish).

    trumar
    Rochester, Mn
    Posts: 5967
    February 4, 2013 at 1:37 am #1137742

    Quote:

    Quote:

    #1,3,5 front cylinders by the radiator and #2,4,6 cylinders are by the firewall side.

    I must speak in gibberish…which is very possible.

    Should I just match length of old to new one at time and hope the length on the last one is correct? (my attempt at non-gibberish).

    YES !

    onestout
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 2698
    February 4, 2013 at 1:37 am #1137744

    yes, they may not be exactly the same, all that matters is that they reach.

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    February 4, 2013 at 1:38 am #1137745

    Thx! I am not good at shooting in the dark as an amateur mechanic.

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    February 4, 2013 at 1:50 am #1137751

    Quote:

    yes, they may not be exactly the same, all that matters is that they reach.


    An obvious amateur question…is this true? Seems like the wires must be exact to have the cylinders fire in a proper order without a miss.

    trumar
    Rochester, Mn
    Posts: 5967
    February 4, 2013 at 2:22 am #1137771

    Quote:

    Quote:

    yes, they may not be exactly the same, all that matters is that they reach.


    An obvious amateur question…is this true? Seems like the wires must be exact to have the cylinders fire in a proper order without a miss.

    They may not be the EXACT length as the old ones ,just pick the one that is closet to the length you need and you will just fine, the further away from the matching coil number the longer the wire

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    February 4, 2013 at 2:32 am #1137775

    Thanks again Jeff. Will do.

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