Electronic Plug Wire Recommendations

[bwilso]

I have a recurring problem with my EI 841. After rebuild many years ago, it ran great for years, then began coil arcing. Replaced plugs, coil, cap, rotor, and wires. Ran great for a few months, then arcing. Replaced everything ect. Problem keeps reoccurring. My question is........should I invest in a premium wire set such as Pertronix, or should I be able to obtain sufficient performance from a regular EI set from this site, meaning that I have a greater issue that I can't seem to find?

 

[bwilso]

Forgot to mention two things, issue happens on different coils, and the arcing is from coil boot to coil body. Changed coil wire and temporarily helped, but went back to terrible arch.

 

[sotxbill]

Forgot to mention two things, issue happens on different coils, and the arcing is from coil boot to coil body. Changed coil wire and temporarily helped, but went back to terrible arch.

thinking out loud...................... Plug wire resistance is too high, so the high voltage is taking the lowest resistance path to ground... check rotor in dist cap, and go back to solid copper wires instead of the carbon resistor wires. Get rid of the resistor plugs and go back to non resistor plugs... or dump the high voltage coil for a regular coil.... make sure there are NO cracks or carbon trails, no dust or oil..... high tension wires are good and have good boots .... get some spray distibutor seal and spray a coating of spray around the coil tower to build up an insulation layer, but make sure coil tower is cleaned with alcohol first, before coating. no dust, no oil allowed. https://www.seymourpaint.com/produc...jnvVTpTO7Ad6URpR0Eg9l4Qy0fNltDnsaAjxLEALw_wcB

 

[Hobo,NC]

I have a recurring problem with my EI 841. After rebuild many years ago, it ran great for years, then began coil arcing. Replaced plugs, coil, cap, rotor, and wires. Ran great for a few months, then arcing. Replaced everything ect. Problem keeps reoccurring. My question is........should I invest in a premium wire set such as Pertronix, or should I be able to obtain sufficient performance from a regular EI set from this site, meaning that I have a greater issue that I can't seem to find?

I have a Napa Beldon set down pat for a 8N but not your tractor. I would go to Napa and get a set for a 1976 Chrysler with a 360 (5.9). I would wager at least 4 of those wires will be a direct fit if not I would custom make the distributor end with this.

Napa # BEL 700135 $35.00

Front​

Part:​ BEL 700135​

Accel tool to crimp the ends #170040.

 

[Sean in PA]

Arcing from coil boot to coil body sounds like both coils eventually developed cracks in their cases from vibrations. Maybe replace everything one more time and try one of those coil mounting straps that has rubbery padding between the strap and the casing of the coil?

 

[bwilso]

I really appreciate the info. I will do all of what is suggested! Electrical issues are my hamstring. I can turn a wrench, but electrical issues really tie me in knots.

 

[wore out]

I have a recurring problem with my EI 841. After rebuild many years ago, it ran great for years, then began coil arcing. Replaced plugs, coil, cap, rotor, and wires. Ran great for a few months, then arcing. Replaced everything ect. Problem keeps reoccurring. My question is........should I invest in a premium wire set such as Pertronix, or should I be able to obtain sufficient performance from a regular EI set from this site, meaning that I have a greater issue that I can't seem to find?

It seems to me it's unlikely that your sparkplug wires are the issue.

It's POSSIBLE there's an indexing error between the E.I. unit and the distributor cap causing the module to fire the coil when the tip of the rotor is not at or close to a high-tension terminal in the distributor cap.

I have personally seen this happen, people love the aftermarket E.I.'s, but I've seen them cause more problems than they solve.

I have a "distributor machine" and have made an access hole in a variety of distributor caps so I can observe where the rotor tip is when spark occurs. I have actually modified the mounting location of the E.I. module on several distributors to correct this. There's a wide variety of distributors made slightly differently and I'm not sure the E.I. makers always get the list of what distributors their module will work in exactly right.

As a last resort, you could do that on a spare cap and view what's going on with the spark with your engine running.

 

[soaked]

Hi bwilso,
I've ran Motorcraft Sipcon wires on my 52 8n with Pertronix 1244A since 2010. Mow the backyard. Think its the same cap and rotor too.
If yours is a Pertronix 1244A after 06/4/21, your printed info folded in the box warns NOT to use solid core wires. RFI from metal core wires will kill the module.

Hi wore out, this pic is on a 51 8n with Pertronix 1244A, on #1 cap tower--- just as the module un grounds the coil. (Prying the flywheel, looking at the volt meter.) Rotor is just a tad past the center of the brass contact.
Is this where you line them up? ( 8n rotor is CCW )

Other sidemount 8n with points has about the same rotor location when points just open.
Could be the same model in his 841.
Pertronix spec from the ignitor plate, to neg battery post should be less that 0.2 ohms.

 

[wore out]

Hi bwilso,
I've ran Motorcraft Sipcon wires on my 52 8n with Pertronix 1244A since 2010. Mow the backyard. Think its the same cap and rotor too.
If yours is a Pertronix 1244A after 06/4/21, your printed info folded in the box warns NOT to use solid core wires. RFI from metal core wires will kill the module.

Hi wore out, this pic is on a 51 8n with Pertronix 1244A, on #1 cap tower--- just as the module un grounds the coil. (Prying the flywheel, looking at the volt meter.) Rotor is just a tad past the center of the brass contact.
Is this where you line them up? ( 8n rotor is CCW )
View attachment 119111
Other sidemount 8n with points has about the same rotor location when points just open.
Could be the same model in his 841.
Pertronix spec from the ignitor plate, to neg battery post should be less that 0.2 ohms.

Looks good!

 

[Non-farmer]

x2 on using suppressor wires.

 

[bwilso]

Thank you all!

I replaced my wires with the NAPA and swapped my Autolite Plugs for the NKG and she is running great. Did not realize how long it had been since she was tuned up. The plugs were sooty and a couple were oily. Don't know if that was the issue or a symptom of the issue, but for now, I am good. With that said, don't know if the wires were in any way to blame but they are replaced anyway.

 

[olddavid]

I have personally seen this happen, people love the aftermarket E.I.'s, but I've seen them cause more problems than they solve.

Agreed. We see it all the time on this forum. Points aren't perfect but they are simple and easy to troubleshoot. MHO.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Thank you all!

I replaced my wires with the NAPA and swapped my Autolite Plugs for the NKG and she is running great. Did not realize how long it had been since she was tuned up. The plugs were sooty and a couple were oily. Don't know if that was the issue or a symptom of the issue, but for now, I am good. With that said, don't know if the wires were in any way to blame but they are replaced anyway.

What wire set did you use part #. I like to get a bang for my buck it does not cost much more to get a set for a V8 and kill two birds with one stone : ) are to have a extra plug wire are so laying around.