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Lengthening distributor wires? #2779585
05/29/20 07:35 PM
05/29/20 07:35 PM
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6pakdakota Offline OP
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6pakdakota  Offline OP
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I am in the process of swapping from a 318 to 383 on a d150 pickup. Are there any issues with lengthening the distributor wires to reach the distributor?

Re: Lengthening distributor wires? [Re: 6pakdakota] #2779591
05/29/20 07:50 PM
05/29/20 07:50 PM
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Dave_J Offline
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NO. Just keep some of the twist in the wires. They are just copper 18 gauge. But the slight twist keeps induction noise out.


Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994
ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997
Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015


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Re: Lengthening distributor wires? [Re: Dave_J] #2779658
05/30/20 01:09 AM
05/30/20 01:09 AM
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6pakdakota Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Dave_J
NO. Just keep some of the twist in the wires. They are just copper 18 gauge. But the slight twist keeps induction noise out.

Thank you.

Re: Lengthening distributor wires? [Re: 6pakdakota] #2779691
05/30/20 09:30 AM
05/30/20 09:30 AM
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jcc Offline
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Do you meaning, extending, by what method, or do you mean just using longer cables?

I seriously doubt the amount of twisting likely or possible will offer any reduction in RF concerns.

Besides, how do we know if these are straight copper, helix style or graphite?

edit Yes, I was thinking the distributor plug wires eyes

Last edited by jcc; 05/30/20 02:43 PM.

Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Lengthening distributor wires? [Re: jcc] #2779770
05/30/20 02:04 PM
05/30/20 02:04 PM
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Auburn WA
Dave_J Offline
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This modification is NOT a new one. It was common back even in the mid 1970s when you yanked the 318 out and put a 440 in a 72 up Dart.
If you do cut and splice, do a 2 - 4 inch stagger on the splices. The twist and solder splice is best, just slide some heat shrink over the wires first.

I assume 6pakDak is talking about the magnetic pickup wiring. I have cut a few over the years. They are common copper stranded wire in a thin 18-22 gauge.

The signal from the Dizzy to the ECM is a very weak low voltage signal. It was in an old DirectConnection bulletin that said to put some twist in the two wires if extending them. It was for noise induction mitigation issues.

Do it or don't do it. It matters zilch to me.
I will always put twist in any signal wire, including O2 sensor wires.

But, just ask yourself,
Does it hurt anything????
Does it take too much time????
Does it add much weight????


Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994
ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997
Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015


Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.

03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter
65 Formula S Cuda
78 Little Red Express Truck
98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
Re: Lengthening distributor wires? [Re: Dave_J] #2779892
05/30/20 10:25 PM
05/30/20 10:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122
Auburn WA
Dave_J Offline
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OK, I dug out my "NEW" in the box Mopar 'P' part Electronic Ignition Conversion harness.

The two wires for its Mag pickup are about 2 feet long and have a good twist to them. But these are gray and gray/white striped and printed with "Fusible Link" all along its length. I am guessing they are 22 or maybe 18 gauge. I am not going to cut them to see.

But what Fusible Link wire is is just 4 wire gauges smaller wire inside a thick fire rated insulation. So if you have a 10 Gauge wire with a Fusable Link, it is a 16 or 18 gauge copper wire. The insulation is made up so it will not catch fire when the inside wire melts.


Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994
ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997
Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015


Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.

03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter
65 Formula S Cuda
78 Little Red Express Truck
98 Buick Regal (wifes car)






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