plug wires-

[Calabrio]

Another question-<br /><br />Spark plug wires for a V6 Mercury Outboard.<br />Where can I find them? How much do they cost.<br />The mercury dealer said he could only special order them, individually for $18 a wire. Does this sound right? $120 for a set of six short wires?

 

[dogsdad]

Re: plug wires-

Holy macaroni!! Surely he meant $18 for the set! That is absolutely outrageous, and is tantamount to sexual assault!! <br /><br />I have yet to need a set of ignition leads, but if they really cost THAT much, I'll just get a kit and fabricate them myself. <br /><br />I sure hope that he just made a mistake, Calabrio!

 

[chadchurchill]

Re: plug wires-

I went through the same thing at the dealer and decided not to buy them. I then went to NAPA and they sell a kit to make the wires for Mercury outboards. Comes with 25' of wire( more than enough for making more sets in the future) and common mercury ends. For my motor I found that the kit only had the ends that go into the coils and there were no boots. Went back to NAPA and for $8 got new boots and spark plug ends. Total set came to about $35 and I still have extra wire just in case I need to replace them in the future.

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: plug wires-

Yes..I agree..just make them yourself. We do it all the time at work.<br /><br />TMD

 

[greasemonkeyozi]

Re: plug wires-

Looking at my wires, my wires and coils are all one unit. I havnt attempted to see if they really can come apart, but when my wires had melted and raw spots on them, I just took High temp silicon RTV made by permatex and layed a layer of that stuff on it. Works out good, so more shorts. Now is that shade tree or what!!!

 

[Calabrio]

Re: plug wires-

So, go to the Napa dealer, and get a generic spark plug wire kit. Something like 8mm or 9mm? The coil side is included in the kit? Even on the outboard? It'll have those unusual straight boots that go into the middle of the engine? Then purchase the spark plug boots (the rubber end that slips over the spark plug.<br /><br />And, that's all I'll need?<br /><br />When I remove the boot off the #1 cylinder with the engine running I get a whicked little shock. However, it's only on the #1 cylinder that I get this shock. Think it's time to change the set? DOes this sound like a problem?

 

[chadchurchill]

Re: plug wires-

The kit is actually specific for mercury(NAPA part# 18-5225) and comes with ends to put on that go to the coils. You will need to use the coil end boots from your old set, but on the spark plug ends it is easier to buy new boots and ends( for my motor they were NAPA part# 727402 for the boots and 727006 for the terminal ends). They will tell you that you need a special crimper made by Belden for the terminal ends, but it can be done with pliers easily.<br /><br />When cutting them use the old wires to measure length and make sure you route them the same way as they were before.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: plug wires-

Hello<br /> if you get a shock with the wire off and the engine running it really may not indicate a bad wire. the system can generate about 30kv so usually it will arc to something. it is really not a good idea to pull off a wire with the engine running and not ground the wire. sometimes pulling a wire with the engine running will cause arc over between the primary and secondary ign terminals or to just burn though the coil case. that juice wants to flow real bad . the napa kits work fine for me in the past. the kits for the new optimaxs are outrageous as well but so far I have only found them at the old merc dealer. the ends are plain steel and rust away. them they charge almost 20 a wire and you have to buy 6.<br />good luck and keep posting