Connecting spark-plug cables to the distributor

[gr_diver]

I was installing new spark-plug cables today, as part of the annual tune-up, and something worth mentioning came into my attention. Might be useful for the less experienced people, like me.

The new cables came with the distributor's side boots pulled back about an inch. As usual I pushed them into the holes, until I thought they bottomed-in (they would not go further by hand, and the cables started to get bent from the force). Since the boots were retracted further than usual, I could see the terminals inside the holes, and noticed that they were not all at equal "depth". So I took a small flat blade screwdriver and, carefully not to damage the cable insulation or distributor cap, pushed on the back of the metal terminals. They all went about 1 cm (0,4in) further down, and "clicked" when they locked inside the connectors... To do the same at the coil I had to remove it, because it stands with the spark cable exiting from the bottom. If the boots were not retracted, I wouldn't have noticed that, and my cables would be improperly installed, maybe causing problems, maybe not...

Cheers!

[namba209]

Darn, I thought every one put the plug wires on that way, just to insure a good connection. At least that's how I was taught to put them on. Pull the boots back to expose the connector and insert until the connector pops onto the plug and do the same at the distributor and coil. Maybe that's why some engines don't run as well as they should. That's a good point.

[gr_diver]

So far I was just putting them in by hand effort, and then maybe slightly "adjusted" the boots if they were not down enough. I had never thought that hand effort on the cable just above the connector might not be enough to seat them properly.

There was no way to bottom in those new (and stiff) terminals without using the screwdriver to press them further down...

[Mike Preble]

Great point. I come to this site to learn from the pros or from those that have learned from their trial and errors.

I can take a shed full of parts and build a functional and reliable Manta from the ground up but I have never had an automotive class or a mentor in my life. I, as others have done, learned from reading, asking questions, and trying on my own. I have broken things, bent things, and taken over 10X the necessary time needed to do a project but I will get it done.

So I thank all of you for the continuous information. I will learn until the day I die(which as my wife keeps telling me could be soon).

Mike