new plug wires

[ckinart]

hey all,
i'd like to replace my plug wires, but right now i have an "oil in the plug wells" issue which i won't get around to rectifying for a little while yet... my question is, if i replace my plug wires now, will the oil in the plug wells (which isn't excessive) foul the wires, or will they be okay? would it be best for me to replace the wires after the plug well seals are replaced?

thanx

<small>[ September 04, 2002, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: ckinart ]</small>

 

[undertow07]

My opinion is to wait and do it all at once. I would hate to spend the money on new wires just to have them get gunked up with oil right away. Plus, if you're taking off the intake to do the rear wires you may as well do the plug well seals while you're at it. And, FYI the cheapest place to get the wires is fordpartsnetwork.com. I got mine from there and they were I believe $86.99 and I had them in a few days. My local ford dealership quoted me $200 for the same motorcraft set.

 

[discotech]

Solve the oil problem first. You can be resourceful about the plug wires. I got new OEM wires. After they were on I took a good look at the old ones. Just using high quality electrical contact cleaner restored my crusty wires to new condition. You can even put new plastic conduit on the outside of the wires. You will end up with great custom-looking wires that fit perfectly. Only replace if they are frayed or damaged.

 

[sdpatt]

Clean the oil and debris out of the plug wells with intake cleaner and suction (much cleaner) or air pressure of some sort. You can clean the existing boots and reinstall them with dielectric grease inside the rubber end to make a good seal with the plug insulator. This can hold you over if you were having a spark misfire until you are ready to do the real job of replacing the plug well seals to stop the oil intrusion into the wells. Since the valve covers are going to be off, you have to decide if you are in need of a valve gapping job too. every 60,000 miles, the engione is scheduled for plugs and a valve gapping. The wires are usually good for about 120,000 miles before they need to be replaced.

 

[Jr's Sho]

Make sure you check {shotimes.com} under the "spark plug and plug wires" section for the part number for the plug well seals. The set of all 6 seals and both valve cover gaskets was 71.99 from Autozone. I believe you can order just the plug seals but you mind as well replace both valve cover gaskets while they are off.