Silicone Spark Plug lead retainers

Have silicone spark plug leads fitted but they are too fat for the plastic retainers that clip into the fan shroud. Tried filing them but there is not much plastic to file. Anyone out there already solved this problem?

If its just the plastic that holds the leads together... you can buy new universal ones from your auto parts store.

👍

hulbyw wrote:Have silicone spark plug leads fitted but they are too fat for the plastic retainers that clip into the fan shroud. Tried filing them but there is not much plastic to file. Anyone out there already solved this problem?

Hi,
When i replaced My wire vw leads a few months ago, I used 8mm silicone leads...
and although the plastic bits are sitting in the holes...
the 8mm leads are not fitted to them...

I don't know of any quick answer...

the generic ones [which I have in a plastic bag somewhere]
are NOT going to answer the problem...
that is how to keep the leads away from metal so they don't short out...
plus they don;'t get melted on hot exhaust pipes...

Maybe 90 degree plastic ones would work.. not sure what You would mount them onto the fan shroud with..
maybe a 10mm bolt & nut..??

PH Billet has got customised alloy ones...
can't exactly remember what they looked like...

the VW bits are made for 6mm leads I believe so 8mm ones are a bit too big... but after filing the U shaped bits..

what about filing in between the back part so they can open further much more easy...
then a bit of soapy water...
but beware.. the silicone cord in the centre can break very easily if pulled...

there are excellent Hi tech leads out there [read expensive]
the spiral type that are guaranteed for life...
and are excellent for noise suppression in two way radios...
but are probably 12mm thick....
then you have problems...

Remember nothing is impossible....
Just a darn sight harder...
[so I'm told...lol ]

cheers

LEE

Don't use silicon leads on a vw air cooled motor unless u want problems

I have heard this before but when asking for more information havn't had anyone be able to be specific about what problems they cause. Personally I don't understand what the difference is between air and water cooled as far as providing power to the spark plugs but I am certainly no expert so would welcome your input

The difference is the ignition system already has enough resistance built in with a 5k ohm rotor button. When you add the high resistance of the silicone ignition leads (designed for a zero resistance rotor) you are adding too much resistance to the system for the coil which WILL die.

Thanks Matt. An explanation at last. The guy who made the leads said it depends on what model 009 (genuine etc) I have as to what resistance is in the rotor button. Also, the leads he made are about 2000 ohm resistance which he reckons is less than the standard leads/resistor ends. So hopefully my old GT40 won't croak.

Silicon leads tend to cross fire and break down much quicker in the air cooled engine bay with the extreme temps @ the cylinder head,
also the high resistance is not helpful as has already been pointed out.
😁

Thanks. What sort of leads should I be using and where are they readily available?

std vw plug end are 1k ohm copper leads are zero
the rotors vary between 1 to 5k ohm
anyone who sells silicon leads for an air cooled 🤖

just used std ones unless you are using EFI then u must use SPIRAL core silicon
😂

hulbyw wrote:Thanks Matt. An explanation at last. The guy who made the leads said it depends on what model 009 (genuine etc) I have as to what resistance is in the rotor button. Also, the leads he made are about 2000 ohm resistance which he reckons is less than the standard leads/resistor ends. So hopefully my old GT40 won't croak.

Yes,
You can still buy the original wire type leads... [not expensive]
and also use the special resistor spark plug caps...

VW had the resistance in the spark plug caps and the rotor...

I had lots of problems running silicon leads in My type 3 back in the 70s-80s..
the heat of the engine killed them...
shorted out everywhere...

I'm using silicon leads at the moment to try to stop the interference in My 2 way radio...
My engine lid is also open at the top...

My rotor doesn't have the resistor...
You can buy them in the USA.... CIP1 or CB Performance.?

I would like the Spiral leads... but out of My bank balance..

I may go back to the wire leads and cover them with copper sheathing from Coaxial cable...
Dizzy cap will be fun...

LEE