Coil / Plug wires?

[PaintPro1]

I have a 78 Rude 150 and a few of the plug wires are damaged and I want to replace them all due to age. Can I open up the coil pack and install new wires instead of a whole new coil / wire assembly?
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From Bass Boat pix</td></tr></table>

[PaintPro1]

Any thoughts on this old rude...?

[ChampioNman]

I haven't messed with one that old in some time. Maybe Seahorse can shed some light on it. I would just replace the coils that needed new wires.

[SEAHORSE]

It's been a lot of years since I've played with those also. Those old style coils used to give a lot of intermittent misfire problems.

It would be best to replace them all but I know that is expensive unless you can find a later powerhead somewhere and buy the 6 you need.

Unless the wires are arcing through or really deteriorated, run it as best you can. The plug caps are easily changed out if needed

[PaintPro1]

Thanks Seahorse... The gearhead in me wants to crack the wire retainer loose and see if I can re-wire with 8mm MSD low-resistance wires. I will report back on what I either break or fix!

[SEAHORSE]

that motor uses stranded metal wires such as Packard 440

[PaintPro1]

OK - Finally getting around to changing out these wires as there are 2 or 3 that have rusted up boots and broken plug ends. I have some new Mallory 8mm suppression wires leftover from an old Z28. I can fit them, but they read about 420 Ohms @ the required length. Can I use these or do I need to get solid core wires?

[SEAHORSE]

no resistance wires use the Packard 440 wire available in bulk from your dealer or an auto supply

[PaintPro1]

Thanks Seahorse -
I will get solid core, but something a little newer and a better jacket than the old Packard wire... I thought that the spiral core suppression was possibly an issue. I think I need to lose the NGK plugs and go to a Champion according to what I see here on the board too...

[JER-1 BIG BASS]

I like my NGK Plugs, Won't foul out with the gas oil mix.
BIG BASS

[Bassmeister]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JER-1 BIG BASS &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I like my NGK Plugs, Won't foul out with the gas oil mix.
BIG BASS</td></tr></table>
And you're posting your engine won't run right?????

[PaintPro1]

Did I miss a post on a non-running engine somewhere?! My 'rude runs well, just want it running BEST...

[PaintPro1]

OK - I pulled this thing out last night and fired it up to check my new kill switch and also to see if it would run better with new (possibly temporary) Mallory 8mm silicone suppression wires with spiral core and 350-375 Ohms resistance each @ 6" along with cleaned NGK plugs. It ran and idled better than I have ever heard it since I brought it home although I have NOT had it on water since that day. My question is this:

What harm or benefit (if any) will these wires and NGK plugs give me over solid core wires and Champion plugs? I am a gearhead and a hot rodder, and I seem to see nothing but the types of responses here on the boards that I would expect from factory trained service techs who are worried about warranty claims. I have modified, raced and otherwise improved almost every vehicle I have ever driven and this boat will be no exception. I want it running its best and that is not always necessarily what the OEM's recommend...

Thanks!

[ChampioNman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by PaintPro1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I am a gearhead and a hot rodder, andI seem to see nothing but the types of responses here on the boards that I would expect from factory trained service techs who are worried about warranty claims. I have modified, raced and otherwise improved almost every vehicle I have ever driven and this boat will be no exception. I want it running its best and that is not always necessarily what the OEM's recommend...

Thanks!</td></tr></table>

Then you need to go and ask questions on http://www.screamandfly.com we don't do hop ups here. We the mods are factory trained techs and know what is best for your engine. The more you mess with the engine the more it takes away from the reliability of your motor. If one of us tells you to do this or that with timing and it blows on your next run because you didn't jet it properly or miss a step in the instructions then You would blame us. We do worry about warranty claims! Most of the questions here are from motors well out of warranty, and we show no difference in our response. It is what it is.

[Bassmeister]

Let's see....Seahorse told ya the wires to use, Steven told ya why the ngk's aren't used in the Rudes in another post.......Go for it, if it blows.......... Not to mention Champman weighed in....That is a cumalative bucoo years in OMC/BRP experience that I wouldn't think about circumventing......JMHO

[PaintPro1]

OK - There was NO disrespect intended to anyone here as I respect y'all as experts in your fields and do honor the years of time spent doing what you do. I do fully understand that the hot resistance of the Champion could be less than the NGK, but how do you know that?

I appreciate being told what wires to use, but why is 350-375 Ohms going to make a difference? Are there better coils out there that put out more power or are more efficient that I should look at? My 1978 'rude is old technology and to put those old parts on it is liken to putting asbestos brakes on a 69 Z28 because that is what it had in the day... The engineer in me needs data and facts to make best decisions. I get better mileage in my 03 Avalanche than most with simple mods like non-stock wires, plugs and a non-restrictive air intake. I know the OEM's have made huge improvements since 78 and I want to apply some of this newer technology to this old machine where and when I can.

There can never be too many questions...

Thanks!

[ChampioNman]

Well lets go! How deep are your pockets??? You can make that 1978 a screamer for about 20 seconds by adding nitrous know what I mean? These old motors were something in their hayday but not so much anymore. To make HP on a 2 stroker you have to suck it in and then spush it out. All it is, is an air pump. Boring a cylinder has no effect as far as raising compression, it only makes for a in round cylinder. There is no real stroking so to speak. You have to carefully mill the intake and exhaust ports via a die grinder, then tweak carbs with the correct size jets/orifices read plugs and know what you are doing. Then if you are lucky it lasts maybe 100 hours beforel you either toss the block or cuss out your shitty OMC motor because it blew. Never mind CC'ing cylinder heads. So that is why we don't do mods here.

[PaintPro1]

OK - suffice to say those that do anything other than live, eat and breath OEM live here. I am open minded and have an engineering background. My old adage has always been never break anything you can't afford to make better the 2nd time.

I will ask advice from time to time here, but just realize that if I ask Q's it it not to question anyone personally I just wanna learn... If all car people only did what the OEM's say there would be no need for SEMA. The auto OEM's love SEMA as it has brought them a ton of money.

If I had deep pockets I would not have a 78 rude on this boat... maybe an E-Tec!

[ChampioNman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by PaintPro1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">OK - suffice to say those that do anything other than live, eat and breath OEM live here. I am open minded and have an engineering background. My old adage has always been never break anything you can't afford to make better the 2nd time.

I will ask advice from time to time here, but just realize that if I ask Q's it it not to question anyone personally I just wanna learn... If all car people only did what the OEM's say there would be no need for SEMA. The auto OEM's love SEMA as it has brought them a ton of money.

If I had deep pockets I would not have a 78 rude on this boat... maybe an E-Tec!</td></tr></table>
Dude, I don't know what your agenda is or what you want to know. Seahorse answered you question on the plug wires. Seahorse will forget more info than you will ever know!!! And I mean that. !!!!! Give it a rest..You will find more friends on snf if you want to hop it up good luck!

[SEAHORSE]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by PaintPro1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I do fully understand that the hot resistance of the Champion could be less than the NGK, but how do you know that?

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http://members.iinet.net.au/~p...s.PDF

http://www.championsparkplugs....fid=2