273 Commando Spark Plug Wire Options?

[Bossanova5]

Finally assembling the 273 Commando.
Looking for a 8mm+ plug wire set.
What are some of the better options?
Would like USA made if possible.
Thanks

 

[toolmanmike]

Finally assembling the 273 Commando.
Looking for a 8mm+ plug wire set.
What are some of the better options?
Would like USA made if possible.
Thanks

Check on the Rockauto site. I bet they have many different choices. Summit as well.

 

[Professor Fate]

Be cautious with 8mm wires- the Commando valve cover wire insulators are sized for 7mm wires, and will require drilling them out to fit 8mm or larger wires; and they can break quite easily. Just so you know.
Whatever you end up getting, test the wires prior to installation. I've been getting a lot of sets with bad connections lately. Better yet, get bulk cable and make your own.

 

[toolmanmike]

Be cautious with 8mm wires- the Commando valve cover wire insulators are sized for 7mm wires, and will require drilling them out to fit 8mm or larger wires; and they can break quite easily. Just so you know.
Whatever you end up getting, test the wires prior to installation. I've been getting a lot of sets with bad connections lately. Better yet, get bulk cable and make your own.

Yes, do not use 8mm. Wires.

 

[circlepilot]

I have a "slightly" related question about Commando insulators...what attaches them to the valve cover? I have a set that I want to restore with out damaging the insulators.

Norm

 

[Professor Fate]

I have a "slightly" related question about Commando insulators...what attaches them to the valve cover? I have a set that I want to restore with out damaging the insulators.

Norm

Depends on the year.
'65-'66 used round "grommet" style insulators that snap on around the wire, and then press into the tabs on the valve cover.

'67 used a "yoke" style insulator that snapped on to the tabs and locked in place by way of a hole between the tabs and a corresponding lock tab on the insulator.

 

[crazydog]

I have been extremely happy with these.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/PerT...-Spark-Plug-Wires-8-Cyl-Universal,299612.html

 

[Dartsun]

I've liked the 8mm Taylor wires on my 273.

 

[66fs]

Taylor Spiro Pro solid conductor, you'll n ever need another set.

 

[toolmanmike]

I have a "slightly" related question about Commando insulators...what attaches them to the valve cover? I have a set that I want to restore with out damaging the insulators.

Norm

The finned aluminum part? They are held on with silicone from what I understand. Leanna had mentioned that many times but she passed away last year so her knowledge is buried in posts.

 

[4spdragtop]

7mm Taylor on our 67 Commando covers firing our 340 with zero issues. As said 8 won't fit without "mods".

 

[toolmanmike]

I don't know if the black wires with the orange boots are correct but they look good to me. 7mm of course. All the small block wires I see here are black with orange boots.

 

[Plymouth 65]

I have a "slightly" related question about Commando insulators...what attaches them to the valve cover? I have a set that I want to restore with out damaging the insulators.

Norm

The aluminum fins are attached using some type of adhesive. It's harder than silicon, almost like a glue. 65

 

[Bob Jasinski]

I have reproduction insulators on my 273, but I believe originals to be the same. They don't push in, instead you rotate the insulator so that the flat side is 90 degrees out from the top of the valve cover and it drops into place. Turn it back so the flat of the insulator is at the top (parallel to the top of the valve cover) and it locks into place. If the insulator is too loose on the wire, you can increase the diameter by installing a short length of shrink wrap on the wire and the insulator will be tight once snapped onto the wire.

 

[mvh]

I have reproduction insulators on my 273, but I believe originals to be the same. They don't push in, instead you rotate the insulator so that the flat side is 90 degrees out from the top of the valve cover and it drops into place. Turn it back so the flat of the insulator is at the top (parallel to the top of the valve cover) and it locks into place. If the insulator is too loose on the wire, you can increase the diameter by installing a short length of shrink wrap on the wire and the insulator will be tight once snapped onto the wire.

Bob, you are talking about a non-Commando 273. The Commando insulators are a bar that connects two wire holders — they cannot rotate. They snap onto the aluminum fin.

I agree — don't try using 8mm wires. No real need for them, anyway.

The Commando fins were attached with a very strong adhesive, more like epoxy than silicone. Although I suppose silicone might work if it can handle the heat.

 

[toolmanmike]

Bob, you are talking about a non-Commando 273. The Commando insulators are a bar that connects two wire holders — they cannot rotate. They snap onto the aluminum fins.

67 only. 65 and 66 have individual insulators.

 

[toolmanmike]

If I had the time to go through every post Leanna wrote, I could tell every one what the adhesive was used. She restored probably hundreds of pairs of Hi Po 273 valve covers..

 

[66fs]

Black RTV works.

 

[cosgig]

I buy all my wires at Firecore. Rick is a big Mopar guy, and his wires are 2nd to none. For small blocks I get the 7mm “340” replica wires. They fit right into the insulators of the commando valve covers. Rick did steer me to the 8mm wires for my plow truck due to the fact that it has an MSD setup on it.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

I don't recall the mm size, but Summit brand wires are really nice, made in USA.

 

[4spdragtop]

Not to hijack, but can anyone recommend bulk 7mm wire and boots?
I have some nice Taylor's but I cant stand the "sloppy" look coming outta the dist cap.

 

[Professor Fate]

Not to hijack, but can anyone recommend bulk 7mm wire and boots?
I have some nice Taylor's but I cant stand the "sloppy" look coming outta the dist cap.

I was real happy with the NAPA/Belden wire, although that was a few years ago (a spool lasts a looong time for me), no idea currently; but I use their terminals and boots, too. Although I have to admit the precut sets I've gotten from them lately have so far been better than average. It's just that I sometimes have to combine sets to get enough wires of a proper length to fit a particular year's routing; they (and other brands, too) are not very generous with cable length.

 

[Bob Jasinski]

I got my wire set for my Commando 273 from Rock auto. They are 7mm, fit great and are well made. Standard brand. Leanna restored my valve covers, and she told me the fins were held in place with RTV.

 

[Miranthis]

I have a hard time believing that the fins are attached with RTV. That product cures flexible, not rigid. While it is not susceptible to many solvents, it's not rigid and not for solid, unsupported adhesion. I would have guessed some sort of epoxy.

 

[toolmanmike]

I have a hard time believing that the fins are attached with RTV. That product cures flexible, not rigid. While it is not susceptible to many solvents, it's not rigid and not for solid, unsupported adhesion. I would have guessed some sort of epoxy.

It's probably like emblem adhesive. Like I said, Leanna mentioned what it was.