VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 spark plug wires & loom for 1956 Belair 265 v8 -

Hi folks,

I just picked up 1 1956 Belair with a 265 v8 with single 4b carb. i want to put new spark plug wires on it so i am interested in:
1. best recommend spark plug wire set
2. any information about spark plug looms or wire separators that would have been stock in "56 - i cannot find any type of picture and want to keep the car as stock looking as possible

I WOULD SUGGEST GETTING AN ASSEMBLY MANUAL FROM THE FILLING STATION. Only $22 and shows a million things. After you get the assembly maual I would suggest going to one of the 1955-57 vendors for the parts. Also would be a good idea to get a shop manual. Would be a 1955 nanual (about $24) and a 1956 supplement (about 14$).

I have the 1955 and 1957 assembly manuals but not sure if the '56 is exactly the same.

avoid the carbon core repo wires that are typically available from repo sources. i buy the repo wire sets, remove the boots and terminal ends then cut packard 440 wire and re-use the boots and terminal ends. the packard 440 wire has a stainless steel core and live forever. the carbon core wires live for one or two boot removals from the spark plugs then aren't worth a hoot as the carbon core separates. it takes me about 6 hours to make a set of plug wires using packard 440 wire.
the packard 440 wire were available from your local ac deco dealers as recently a 2 years ago. hope they still make it. i've got about 150 feet (on three rolls) of the packard 440 wire that i wouldn't trade for anything. mike

The originals were carbon fiber. I never had a problem with them. Have a set that are over 25 years old in my current 1957 and they are doing fine. The important thing is to not pull on the wire as to stretch it as it can break the string. The carbon fiber string has been used in Chevrolet cars since 1953 and is used to this day on cars tht still have an actual spark plug wire.

I like the Pertronix 7mms series wires. Worked great on our 48 but to find the most correct shaped boots had to order a set for a British 6 cylinder.

All three assembly manuals and more are here in the:

Tri-Five Forums Library

I don't think the wire's metal brackets are reproduced but the grommets for them used to be.

Section R.P.O. 221, Sheet 13.00 1956 assembly manual

All the correct wire brackets, holders, gromets, etc. are available from Ecklers.

Just a note. A 1948 did not have boots on the spark plug end. 1953 was the first year for that feature.

I know. That's why I haven't joined - I'm not that dedicated :)
Seriously, the Pertronix were used to solve radio interference problems. The correct repro wires were so noisy the interference not only knocked out our radio but any car radio within ten yards of our car. Those wires completely cured it :)

Glad to hear those brackets are available now. When we did our 57 (in the 80's), only the grommets where available.

Thats why they went to wire-less wire in 1953. Not so much for the radio in the car but other radios near the car and even TV sets near by.