New plug leads for the SL

[Doodle]

It became clear recently that all was not well - despite swapping the distributors for fresh ones in the car park at Olly's GTG it was still lumpy and misfiring, and it was getting worse. Time for new plug leads.

Prices from the dealers for a full set were perilously close to £500 and there's no way I'm paying that much.

Fastlane Auto's down in Bodmin are one of the few people who publicly list a set for the 119 motor, for the sum of £120 which is much more palatable. I ordered a set but when they arrived it was clear that they were far too long, by about 200-300mm per lead. There simply isn't the space to hide that much wiring.

Had a chat with them, apparently these sizes came from a commission they were asked to do, so I've now sent them the correct sizes and some pictures of the routing so they know exactly what's what.

The new set arrived this evening, put them on (with no small about of threading and poking to get them in the right place) and all is well, it seems this has been a long time coming. :bannana::bannana:

 

[jaymanek]

I got Bosch ones from Euro Car Parts, they were very good. Special Order IIRC.

 

[Doodle]

I did think about those, but the last time I ordered the set that arrived was for a 140. Returned them to be swapped out - lo and behold, the 2nd set were *also* for a 140.

That's not such a problem on the main leads as they should be identical, but the coil leads are different and I couldn't see ECP making me a set to order.

Jay, when you say Bosch special order is that a "phone up and ask", because they're not listed? (for mine at least).

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Perhaps I am behind the times. In days of yore you could purchase HT leads/cable (copper or carbon) in any length you wished. You could also purchase suppressor caps. You just cut to length, screw in the new cap and Bobs your mothers brother.
The cost sounds horrendous, or am I just out of touch?

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Perhaps I am behind the times. In days of yore you could purchase HT leads/cable (copper or carbon) in any length you wished. You could also purchase suppressor caps. You just cut to length, screw in the new cap and Bobs your mothers brother.
The cost sounds horrendous, or am I just out of touch?

In the late 70s I had to pay £120 for a set of leads for my BMW 520i. That was only a couple of years after I bought a 3 bed semi in Harrow for just £21k (sold by my ex for £399k 5 years ago!)

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

If you still have the semi I will give you £22K for it. Nice profit there.

Performance leads will do you a set Today for £91 Sound like you were overcharged in the 70s this is for year 86/87 could not find an earlier one.

 

[Doodle]

For the right applications you still can. It just seems that the SL is not one of them. However, when you consider there's around 10m of cable, plus 10 pairs of caps it's not too bad.

Still got to work out the cause of the 4k misfire though :/