Spark Plug Wire Question

[Rick Ferris]

1995 Mercury Tracker Pro Series 115HP, 4 cylinder, 2 Cycle.

I have 1 wire with spark jumping out mid cable to a bolt its routed close to. I assume the wires coating integrity may have served it life.

Approximately $69 for a new set from those that sell marine products. Are the cables they us on cars ok to use as long as they ends match and of course the length too?

Thanks In Advance!

 

[gm280]

It all depends on how the ignition wires are setup. If they are mere plugged ends, like most vehicle spark wires used to be, then go for it. Obviously the spark jumping means the insulation is compromised and no good now. So you can try replacing those wires with any quality spark wires. Would be interesting to know if the wires on the boat engine were resistive wires though. Because if you replace them with solid wire centers, you could get a lot of rf noise on any depth locator, or music type radios in the boat if you have such... JMHO

 

[Texasmark]

Mercury ignitions are rated at 40,000 volts open circuit. Course if your plugs are always installed and fire when they are supposed to you will never see the open circuit voltage....more like 18-20,000 (SWAG). I "think" auto wiring is rated more like 25,000. Additionally, without having them side by side, I'd think marine ignition systems would a lot better sealed due to the application.

 

[Chris1956]

OB wires are generally solid stranded wire conductor. Auto wire are RF suppressors and are made of powder. They are incompatible.

OB spark plug wire are available aftermarket. Check Sierra, GLM and others. That will save you some $

 

[Rick Ferris]

Thanks everyone for your incite and options.
I ordered a set of Sierra brand today.