Any tips on changing Plug Wires?

[onerareviper]

Viperholics,

I have a 98 GTS and changed the plugs last night. Today, I am doing the wires. Any last minute tips before I begin? Of course, I already removed the windshield cowl/air intake. Seems to me removing/replacing one at a time would be the easiest method.

Thanks in anvance...

P.S. - Replacement wires are high-perf Mopar Blues.

 

[Mark Young]

Yeah, do one at a time. Its a tight fit gettin a hand on the coil pack, if you had them all off at once I think it would be hard to get the right wire on the right plug.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Vipermad:

Oh yeah...in case Chuck checks in here....I'm also KING POSER!!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes Tony, my poser spies are in full force and alerted me to your post. Few are so proud as you to be so low on the automotive food chain. I don’t know if we should be ashamed of you or impressed by your courage to admit. Your "knowing your place" in our society makes you tolerable.

Besides, you have keyboard power.

 

[Dixter]

I did mine one at a time, did't take the cowl off and started
on the passenger side. I just took the longest one off first,
matched the length and then put the new one in the vacated
looms, pluged into the coil and next one.... until done.

I was going to take the cowl off but the wipers pissed me off
and I just did it with the cowl on.... not as fun but it can
be done.

I put the larger blue ones on... with new plugs

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Vipermad:


One of these days, Chuck, I gotta buy you a beer!!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Likewise.

 

[onerareviper]

Thanks fella's.

One at a time it is...

P.S. - The High-Perf Blue Mopar wires have a number taped to the wire. Makes things easier, but I'll probably still match lengths to make sure.

 

[Mike Brunton]

Stand back everyone... I think Chuck and Tony are about to make out!

 

[Makara]

So am I the only person the get an arm or hand stuck while trying to change the plug wires?

 

[kARLUG]

A little diaelectric grease inside the boots and on
the plug tips and coil terminals helps things slide
together a little easier. The grease comes in a small
tube and can be purchased at any auto parts store.

 

[onerareviper]

Viperholics,

I'm finished. Here are some tips I gained from the experience.

1.) I actually preferred removing all the old wires before replacing. Makes life easier with those pesky wire holders. If you choose this method, make sure you realize this:

Back of Viper

COIL
bottom 8 10 2 4 6
top --- 9 5 3 7 1

10 E 9
-8 N 7
-6 G 5
-4 I 3
-2 N 1
---E

Front of Viper

The wire holders should hold the wires in this order:

------------ -------------
| 2 ---4 | Engine | 3 ---1|
| 6 8 10 | ------ | 9 7 5..|
------------ -------------

* The coil numbers where stamped on the coil pack, but barely visible and hard to read.

* This order is on a '98 GTS. I assume it is the same for other years, but a confirmation from an expert would be reassuring. Any experts out there?

2.) The wires can be a real paint to squeeze into the wire holders, especially if your using a thicker wire. I was using the Mopar High-Perf 8.5 Blue wires. A solution was to wipe a very little bit of Vaseline on the wire, where it snaps into the wire holder. They went in much easier, and I stopped cursing.

3.) It is easier, IMHO, to get to the bottom of the coil pack from the drivers side. Guys with smaller forearms should not have a problem from either side. Popeye's, try from the driver's side. I could not access the entire coil pack from the passenger side, and I did remove the windshield cowl. Driver's side, tight, but possible.

4.) Keep any excess wire pulled back towards the coil. There will only be an inch or two excess with stock wire lengths. The wire will look nice and tight - not sloppy. The excess wire will be hidden once you attach the windshield cowl.

5.) Before reattaching the windshield cowl (4 screws 2 wiper bolts), and passenger air intake (Need to remove this to access the passenger side) (3 bolts 1 screw), start the Viper, let warm up, and rev the motor to ensure smooth operation. You will know if a wire is not connected properly if your engine backfires or is missing.

5.) When your done, put the windshield cowl back on, leave the screw on the passenger side out. This makes it easier to fish the windshield wiper fluid hose back through the cowl into the engine bay to reconnect. Then, of course, put the last screw in the cowl.

*** YOUR DONE. Took a first timer (on a Viper) 4 hours to change all the plugs - wires - and change the oil/filter. I expect it to take 2 hours the next time around.


*** Hope this helps someone.

Later