How to replace Spark Plug Wires w/Loom

[Roy Dudley]

Good Morning,

Is it necessary to remove the wire loom harness when replacing plug wires, or does anyone know where to purchase the plug wires with the screw-off plug socket ends?

It looks like removing the wire loom harness (metal tray the wires are routed through) will require the throttle linkages etc. to be removed or disconnected as well.

Anyone know an easier way, or a source for plug wires with removable socket ends?

Roy Dudley

[66andBlue]

Roy, welcome to the group.
You can buy the copper wire in bulk - and then cut it to length as required - from a MB dealer, or the MB Classic center, or a number of suppliers (see vendor list under Technical Manual on this site). But be sure get copper and not graphite!
What kind do you have right now? Can you unscrew the connectors on both ends? It is not quite clear to me what you want to accomplish.
Also, is this the harness you have in mind?

[Roy Dudley]

Hi Alfred!
Roy here.  The plug question was for my 1965 230SL -- and the wire holder diagram you posted looks exactly like the one on my engine.   I've already bought a set of Bosch wires, but the ends don't unscrew!  So, I guess I'm looking at removing the wire tray thingie shown, however the throttle linkage rods and rod ends etc. seem to be bolted onto the thing as well...which I suspect I'll have to undo to make the switch.   Does this mean having to retune all these things so fuel mixtures etc. will be proper, or is there a way to take off this wire holder loom without screwing up the linkages?

Better yet -- do you know a supplier of the "screw off" plug sets?  I can send the Bosch back so no worries there!

My wish would be for a supplier of screw off wires.

All the Best,

Roy Dudley

[jameshoward]

Roy,

It's not clear what your intent is. Are you trying to change the ends, or the wire? If you're changing the ends, then you may as well change the wire as well. Perhaps that's what you're trying to do anyway. (Read up about resistance and the dreaded 90 degree angle on the number one cylinder plug that is the cause of much debate!)

I have a '66 but do not have the original part shown in Alfred's diagram and so am not very familiar with what one might need to do to replace wires. I can tell you that Beru ends are screw in and are correct for your car. I know you can get these in Europe and GB (they are German); not sure about the other side of the Pond but can't imagine they're hard to find. That said, is it really so hard to replace the wires with your set up? I wonder. If you do have to unbolt the odd bit of the linkage, I doubt it will make a significant difference to the set up. They're pretty robust.

JH