spark plug wires

[DonnyT]

Can i use regular automotive spark plug wires on my Volvo inboard? Or do i have to use the ones from the marine store, which i was quoted a price of over $100.00. I thought this was right steep for wires and it is only a 4cylinder.

 

[Elk Chaser]

Re: spark plug wires

automotive plug wires are perfectly fine in a marine application.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: spark plug wires

Believe it or not, but there are Federal regulations that determine suitability of spark plug wires so that they do not come loose and/or cause sparking which could ignite gas fumes in the engine compartment. They must meet SAE J557 specs to be legal and safe.<br /><br /><br />[Code of Federal Regulations]<br />[Title 33, Volume 2]<br />[Revised as of July 1, 2003]<br />From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access<br />[CITE: 33CFR183.440]<br /><br />[Page 850]<br /> <br /> TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS<br /> <br /> CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)<br /> <br />PART 183--BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents<br /> <br /> <br />Sec. 183.440 Secondary circuits of ignition systems.<br /><br /> (a) Each conductor in a secondary circuit of an ignition system must <br />meet SAE Standard J557.<br /><br /> (b) The connection of each ignition conductor to a spark plug, coil, <br />or distributor must have a tight fitting cap, boot, or nipple.<br /><br />[CGD 73-217, 42 FR 5944, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by USCG-1999-5832, 64 <br />FR 34716, June 29, 1999]

 

[seahorse5]

Re: spark plug wires

There are several aftermarket suppliers than make approved wire sets. You do not have to pay Volvo prices. Mallory is increasing their market share of marine ignition items. You might check them out.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: spark plug wires

CG has a damn rule for everything.. some make sense, others are government job keepers. Lets put it this way...when was the last time a plug wire fell off in your car? But if you must (and it will probably be the same as for automotive, just been looked at by some gov flunky and a tag put on it) go to Ebasic.com...order some other spare parts for a total of $100, and free ship and no state tax and delivered to your door

 

[Scaaty]

Re: spark plug wires

"b) The connection of each ignition conductor to a spark plug, coil, <br />or distributor must have a tight fitting cap, boot, or nipple."<br /><br /> Sounds like ANY WIRE SET PRODUCED TODAY!

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: spark plug wires

when was the last time a plug wire fell off in your car?

Boats are subjected to much greater forces on a regular basis - like hitting a wave, coming out of the water and dropping 5, 10 or even more feet slamming into the trough of a wave.<br /><br />Since gas vapors are heavier than air, they settle and collect in the lowest part of the boat (often the bilge in the engine compartment). Any stray spark can ignite them causing an explosion. In a car, they just hit the ground and dissipate in the air.<br /><br />The good news is, plug wires on a boat don't often need to be replaced since they are not subjected to the same high temps as car wires because the exhaust manifold are water-cooled on boats. Also, marine wires are not often run in the winter when wires are brittle and can crack from the cold. Finally, valve cover gaskets last longer due to the lower engine compartment temps on a boat so they don't leak hot oil on the wires like a car often will seriously shortening the life of wires.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: spark plug wires

Sometimes we realize we are having too much fun.....then someone gets hurt.<br />Ever see a boat hull burned down to the waterline?<br />Ever see a driver thrown out and run down by his own boat?<br />There are lots of chances we take everyday.That's our choice.<br /><br />Just don't realize you're having too much fun,TOO late.<br />DHP

 

[KaGee]

Re: spark plug wires

I realize the importance of safety.... but $100<br />is flat out of line for 5 wires!<br /><br />I sell wire for a living... and I'll guarantee that there is not any difference in that OEM set of wires from a good set of aftermarket one's. Oh one thing different... they won't say "marine" thereby saving you $$.<br /><br />I am using ACCELE 8MM on my boat... you can barely pull the silicone boots by hand much less worry about them falling off. Never checked to see if they were "approved".

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: spark plug wires

It will only matter if something goes wrong and your insurance company refuses to pay the claim for using unapproved parts or any injured party uses it to sue the pants off you. <br /><br />I'm sure you can find marine approved aftermarket wires a lot cheaper than the OEMs.

 

[Elk Chaser]

Re: spark plug wires

If it were true that you must have spark plug wires that conform to a "special" standard that the automotive wires do not conform to then would you not expect to see a major manufacturer such as MSD selling "marine spark plug wires sets". Well they don't, not at all. <br /><br />As a matter of fact there is not one manufacturer that I can find that does in fact sell marine ignition components and also sells marine spark plug wire sets separately from the automotive spark plug wire sets. NOT ONE.<br /><br />An example of this would be to go to the MSD Web Site (I am sure we all agree that MSD is one of the top manufacturers of marine ignition components) and look at the "marine" page. <br /> http://www.msdignition.com/mari.htm <br />There is not one set of plug wires on that page, not one bloody set. To find any spark plug wire sets you must go their "automotive" section first. http://www.msdignition.com/auto.htm <br /><br />If it were true that the SAE J557 standard is for marine applications because the engine compartments are enclosed and have an increased risk for fire and explosion because the fumes cannot dissipate into air then why on earth do the federal transportation regulations for commercial vehicles (Trucks) require the exact same SAE J557 standard. LOOK IT UP.<br />LINK TO FEDERAL REGULATION <br /><br />If it were true that all marine applications require that the plug wires must have the SAE J557 standard stamped on them then why on earth would all the major distributors for performance parts sell automotive plug wires sets for marine applications with no indication anywhere of a SAE J557 standard and absolutley nothing stamped on the wires indicating that same standard. Just check out this site that I frequently buy from... http://www.cpperformance.com/products/Electrical/default.htm <br />They sell performance plug wires and they do not say anything about SAE J557. If they sold me a set of wires that were not in compliance with the SAE J557 standard then I could sue their pants off if something happened and my boat blew up or burned down because the spark plug wires caused the explosion or fire. And they know it!<br /><br /><br />Can anyone show me that any spark plug wires sets sold today (other than by mercruiser marine or volvo marine) that are either stated to be in compliance with SAE J557 or are sold specifically as marine spark plug wire set and have SAE J557 stamped on them. I don't think so.<br /><br />Can anyone show me that "automotive spark plug wire sets" do not conform to the SAE J557 standard.<br /><br />I have done a bunch of searching and I have come up with nothing on the Internet (other than that regulation posted above) that tells me that marine spark plug wire sets must conform to the SAE J557 standard and there are no warnings at any site selling marine spark plug wire sets that the wires must conform to the SAE J557 standard. You will find these types of warnings for the distributors and alternators and maybe even starters but not for the spark plug wires.<br /><br />Give me a break, I'd be willing to bet the bank that most if not all automotive spark plug wire sets manufactured today are well within or exceed the SAE J557 standards or you would see everyone selling "marine" spark plug wire sets and they would be charging you more money for that set of wires, guaranteed.<br /><br />If I were you I would ignor everyone and buy a good set of Accel or MSD wires for 30 or 40 bucks and put them in your boat. Those wires will outperform and outlast anything sold by Mercruiser or Volvo anyways.

 

[todd5881]

Re: spark plug wires

i have accel 8mm wires on my boat and they have worked for 3 seasons! besides that the side vents on the boat keep fresh air in the engine compartment whenever the boat is in motion, and when you turn on the blower for 3 minutes before startup it changes all the air also! use the accel wires the perform better anyways!!

 

[RatFish]

Re: spark plug wires

I've seen automotive wires arc to ground. Be careful.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: spark plug wires

Here you go elk - just need to look for people who make marine parts:<br /><br /> http://www.mallorymarine.com/ <br /><br />Looks like $7 - $10 each

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: spark plug wires

Here's Sierra's marine wires...<br /><br /> http://www.sierramarine.com/Sierra/prodline/ignition.htm <br /><br />I'm done looking...<br /><br />If ventillation were enough there would't be as many boat explosions as there are each year...

 

[Scaaty]

Re: spark plug wires

[QB]

when was the last time a plug wire fell off in your car?

Boats are subjected to much greater forces on a regular basis - like hitting a wave, coming out of the water and dropping 5, 10 or even more feet slamming into the trough of a wave."<br /><br />I've seen Jeeps come off CLIFFS and still no dangling wires. Any good set of wires will do. The proper lenght, plastic wire tied if needed, and common sense the watch word here. One of my boats (350 Chev) is 27 years old and somehow it trudges on, put together with knowledge and common sense. Of course if you know zip about motors, see a mechanic, not the newest rules.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: spark plug wires

Heres the skinny from Sierra...check out the last part about buying a roll of wire and whipping up your own. If there WAS some marine rule that made sense and applied to wires, you think they would sell you the stuff to let some schmuck figure it out for himself? <br /> "Sierra spark plug wire sets are made with high performance 8mm carbon based in a nylon wrapped core silicon jacket. The wire offers maximum heat and radio interference resistance. All terminals are corrosion resistant brass. Sierra wire sets are custom made to fit marine inboard engines.<br /> Outboard spark plug wires are available pre-made in 7mm copper core or 8mm carbon core. We also offer a universal wire kit, 18-5225, which comes with 25' of wire and a variety of terminals.<br /><br />

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: spark plug wires

I bet you guys use standard auto starters, alternators, carbs, etc., and auto grade wire too. Or, is solid conductor romex good enough <br /><br />Like they say, whatever floats your boat What the heck does the Coast Guard know anyway? Surely anybody who knows something about auto engines knows a heck of a lot more, right?<br /><br />By the way, as best I can tell, the reg dates back to 1977 and was adopted by the Canadian Coast Guard at least by 99 so it hardly qualifies as a "new rule"

 

[KaGee]

Re: spark plug wires

Originally posted by Ralph:<br /> If ventillation were enough there would't be as many boat explosions as there are each year...

Hmmmm.... if boating is that dangerous.... maybe we should all give it up for our health!<br /><br />

 

[KaGee]

Re: spark plug wires

Originally posted by Robby6950:<br /> Heres the skinny from Sierra...check out the last part about buying a roll of wire and whipping up your own. If there WAS some marine rule that made sense and applied to wires, you think they would sell you the stuff to let some schmuck figure it out for himself? <br />

Excellent point!!