Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post Reply

Topic author
phr1$k37
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:40 pm

Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by phr1$k37 »


Hi folks,
Just curious how often you all change your spark plugs, wires and/ or distribution cap?

I use to run NGK iridium plugs and wires (6mm?) but for some reason they only lasted 1 year per change (I ran this for 3 years, each year I had to change). I am currently running AC Delco platimun stuff and it has been 3 years on the same plugs and wires.

Anyone else with the Vortec motors experience something similar? I have to admit though, the performance with the AC Delco is not has zippy as the NGK. Should I use NGK Platimun instead?

How often do you change the distribution cap? It is cheap and I never buy anything other than AC Delco for this part.

I know there is another thread about which plugs to use but I am inquiring more about how often you change the parts.

Last edited by phr1$k37 on Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
User avatar

CaptSquid
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1230
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:50 am
Location: Billings, MT, 'MERICA!

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by CaptSquid »

PLEASE find a higher contrast color for your text!
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4

Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!

ImageImage
Image

Topic author
phr1$k37
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:40 pm

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by phr1$k37 »

CaptSquid wrote:PLEASE find a higher contrast color for your text!
Uh oh ... which theme are you using for the board? As in what is the background colour?
My background is grey/black
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
User avatar

LaGrasta
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 724
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:07 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by LaGrasta »

154k, only changed them once at 100k, like the book says.
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
User avatar

reaper
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 381
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:51 pm
Location: VANcouver

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by reaper »

Spark plugs twice a year
Wires twice a year
Distributor cap/rotor twice a year.
90 Astro Cargo V-8
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
Image
User avatar

reaper
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 381
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:51 pm
Location: VANcouver

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by reaper »

CaptSquid wrote:PLEASE find a higher contrast color for your text!
I can read it just fine :poke:
90 Astro Cargo V-8
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
Image

Topic author
phr1$k37
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:40 pm

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by phr1$k37 »

reaper wrote:Spark plugs twice a year
Wires twice a year
Distributor cap/rotor twice a year.

Hi You!!! :D
Well the past weekend was the first time I had experienced an empty gas tank when I swear there was 1/4th gas tank left.

What are you using for sparks and wires? Though I realize you are not running a Vortec. You think it is fine to run NGK Platimuns with the AC Delco wires?
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
User avatar

reaper
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 381
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:51 pm
Location: VANcouver

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by reaper »

Abe,currently I am running MSD 10 mm plug leads & Delco plugs,Delco cap/rotor in the 350.
Im going to go back to the NGK Irridium plugs this weekend.
Stephanie runs a non vortec 6 & runs Delco cap/rotor/Plug leads & Delco plugs.
She's satisfied with the performance of the units.
You can run whatever you like with your van,It's all a matter of prefference.
90 Astro Cargo V-8
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
Image

Topic author
phr1$k37
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:40 pm

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by phr1$k37 »

reaper wrote:Abe,currently I am running MSD 10 mm plug leads

I have been wanting to run the MSD leads ... what are the cons? :)
I may just go back to NGK for sparks. The AC Delco is not the best performer but I used all AC Delco when I had the weird "knocking" sound.
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
User avatar

thevalleyboy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 285
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2007 6:39 am
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by thevalleyboy »

plugs and wires twice a year? seriously? I just did my plugs in my car at 100,000km - iridium I do plan on doing the van however soon - so I am interested in the results that get put up - but I am thinking 5 years for a set of plugs based on the amount of KM's I put on it
2001 Astro LT AWD - SOLD @ 180,200KM
Now I got a 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch 4 x 4
to pull a Hybrid RV - 2006 Kodiak 235
Calgary, Alberta
User avatar

reaper
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 381
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:51 pm
Location: VANcouver

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by reaper »

thevalleyboy wrote:plugs and wires twice a year? seriously? I just did my plugs in my car at 100,000km - iridium I do plan on doing the van however soon - so I am interested in the results that get put up - but I am thinking 5 years for a set of plugs based on the amount of KM's I put on it
Yes,
Low K or High K,I still do it twice a year.
-Abe,I really like MSD products,It's just prefference.
My buddy Can't stand Irridiums & loves Champion plugs,Hey thats his prefference.
It all boils down to what "you" preffer,some will say These plugs suck,or These plugs
work great.Our engines are the same but different.
90 Astro Cargo V-8
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
Image

Topic author
phr1$k37
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:40 pm

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by phr1$k37 »


I hear yah Sanja. Okay I am gonna do NGK Platinum plugs, MSD wires and the AC Delco caps/rotor. Only the MSD wires will be new to me on this vehicle but when I ran them on the Firebird I loved them!

PS how is this text colour? LOL
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
User avatar

blk lt awd
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 336
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:09 pm
Location: VANcouver
Contact:

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by blk lt awd »

phr1$k37 wrote: What are you using for sparks and wires? Though I realize you are not running a Vortec. You think it is fine to run NGK Platimuns with the AC Delco wires?
[/color]
i'm currently running the ngk platinums with delco wires, cap and rotor. i haven't had any issues.
1995 Black LT AWD
2000 Ninja ZX-6R
2003 Mazdaspeed Protege (spicy)
1961 Impala...gone but not forgotten.

http://www.propertystation.ca/

Cobra
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1750
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Re: Sparks, Wires, Distribution Cap

Post by Cobra »

don't ngk wires have a limited lifetime warranty...?
i have ngk plugs, wires, Delphi cap and rotor in mine now it's been over a year should check them
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone
Post Reply