Technical Plug wires redux question from the idiot engineer.

Gonna beat this dead horse just a little more. I asked this question of the boys at my local speed shop and as good as they are they had no answer. I also posted a product review with Summit which was accepted and is now on line for MSD to read themselves.
Your Submitted Review:

"MSD needs to be told that assembling the boots are almost, if not impossible to accomplish. Instructions say to use a lubricant of electric grease. That will not aid in getting a 8.5mm wire through a "L" shaped boot with only a 8.0mm passage and made of rubber. This is impossible in a home shop environment. Had I known of this predicament I would have never purchased either the MSD Distributor or their wires. Being and Engineer myself I see no reason MSD does not assemble these at the fabrication facility them selves and leave the wires long enough as they do now. Note to customers of Summit. This is not the fault of Summit, is the fault of MSD. I'll not purchase any other MSD products, ever. Wm. Moe, Seattle Washington"

What is the reasoning around not assembling these wire sets complete, instead of leaving a mile excess in wire, having the customer cut them to length and then fight to get them on the car? I mean, every 331/354, 392 HEMI, every SBC/BBC, etc. engines are the same distance from plug to the distributor. All PW suppliers:

• NGK.
• ACDelco.
• Motorcraft.
• MSD Spark Wires.
• Accel.
• Taylor Cable.
• Denso.

could do the hobby a big favor if they did this.
I do realize there is probably a need in some cases, maybe the racing world for example or elsewhere in the automotive world for the way they furnish them at present, but I bet the larger percentage of customers come out of our world. They could give an option to order completed sets or sets needing custom fitting for that world that needs them not complete. Or they could as I suggested in my review, install the boot at their facility leaving the wires as now shipped allowing for cut to length, install of the terminal and completion in our home shops.

I ask here because this is the best source for the answer to this.

BTW, my set is now 3/4th complete, just waiting for a couple of boots to replace the split ones. And thanks to all who responded with your input to my post on this subject earlier this week.

 

It can be daunting to assemble but I always like a challenge. If it helps, here is how i do it:

I use a small Philips screwdriver to smear dielectric grease into the small end of the 90 degree boot then shove the wire into the boot while twisting. The grease will lube the two just enough to get the wire to the 90. Then with needle nose pliers, I grab the outside of the wire (don't grab the center conductor) and pinch liberally, twisting and pulling the wire around the corner. Once you get an inch or two out of the boot you can use your hands to pull it the rest of the way. Trim the end, install terminal, slide the boot into place over the terminal and you are off and running.

With just a little practice it becomes natural.

The problem I always had was installing the terminal on the end of the wire. Then I purchased a set of the MSD pliers that were designed for this purpose and they make the terminal install a snap..........and it looks professionally done when finished.

 

The reason is simply one size don't fit all. I run the stock desoto wire covers on my HEMI so my wires have to be long enough to run down the cover then over to the distributor. If I wasn't running the covers I would have taken them over the top of the cover. In either case I would want the wires trim and fit so it looks like a pro built it and not some schlep with excess wires hanging all over the place. And yes, the same MSD wires and MSD distributor. Easy? No. If it was it would be ordinary, and what's the fun in that? Follow Vicki's advice above. If your hands hurt too much ask someone for help. It can be tough on the paws.

 

On that style of wire end, I crimp the end on the wire then lube the boot and shove it on. Never a problem.

 

Perfect example of why online reviews are about as useful as a kick in the nuts.

 

I use the MSD, di-electric, ignition grease and a Q-Tip to lube the 90 degree boot first. I then lube about an inch of the new plug wire and push it through the boot. I really haven't had much of a problem.

 

I boil the ends to make them playable, then silicon spray. They slide easier.

 

If your an engineer. engineer an answer to the problem. Also answer me why an engineer would be stupid enough to design a vehicle like Ford did where you have to remove the CV shaft and jack the motor up off the mounts to get an alternator off.
Sorry I am a retired mechanic and have had to deal with stupid shit that engineers have designed for over 50 years. Call your plug wire boot issue a little payback.

 

Pointless to respond to something so far off topic.... but..... on your other rant thread you posted that you were shown the way to do it, and that you have new boots on the way and have now been shown how easy it is. Then, you review them at Summit bashing the product. Just because you can't figure something out doesn't make the product bad.
Like I said. Pointless.

 

I have countless encounters with this on many makes and models.

 

aren't engineer's supposed to be the smart guys?

 

Actually this has been a practice from way back....pretty sure I have some solid wire plug kits from the 50's that aren't terminated at one end......solid wire was the dealieo back in the day...........