Wires & Matching numbers....

[jodus]

You all have been very helpful over the years, and as my resto nears an end, I have a few questions. I want to put a 'stock' appearing set of spark plug wires on the car - the Bosch sets have 2 of the 6 wires with short, orange heads, while the others are the large black type, as all 6 of mine are currently. Any input as the where I can get a quality black set?

Second, is there a way to match the engine to the chassis? I bought it from the original owner and have all docs, but still curious about the dates of the motor, etc. To see if all is well.

The pics in my album are pretty lame, as it is frozen here in Pittsburgh, but please take a look and let me know what you think. Again, thanks to all for your help in the past , and future, I hope!

I plan to have her ready for the Pittsburgh Vintage Gran Prix concours this summer. It's been a fun project, and I have new found, great respect for these vehicles.

[buddyjackson]

i would be careful bosch plugs and wires don't work in some vehicles like a ford i had wouldn't run right with bosch

[Arne]

I actually have three different sets of wires for my car. The original 1971 date-coded set, a set of blue NGKs (decent wires, but a bit garish-looking), and my current black wires. (I have been known to install the originals for shows.)

I had the blue NGK wires on my car for a year or two, but a while back decided to go with black wires for the more stock look. I did some shopping at a local parts house and picked up a set of "Magstar Gold" wires. They are black with black boots, and other than the color appear to be very similar to the NGKs. Part #12-6416 was the set I got, the fit is decent. Does not have the bent boot for number six. They are built here in the USA by Wiretec (a division of General Cable) and were quite affordable. Obviously not stock, but not "in-your-face-blue-aftermarket" either.

I bought mine from a locally owned parts house, don't know who might carry them in your neighborhood.

As for matching the engine number - the only place to check that is on the stamped number plate in the engine compartment, on the right inner fender. For a 240Z, both the VIN and the engine number should be stamped on that plate.

Edited January 30, 2011 by Arne

[jodus]

Thank you for the info Arne, I will check that plate, and the wires.

[Zulaytr]

A couple of additional ideas about the wires are, depending on how near correct your are striving for are:

1. You might check with either your local Nissan Dealer or one, like Courtesy Nissan in Dallas, as you may be able to still obtain and genuine set of black wires through Nissan.

2. Call Mike at Banzai Motorworks in Maryland as he has listed on his website black wires. Banzai is known for their Z restoration and some reproduction parts.

Just a thought that might be helpful.

Have fun with your Z!

[Arne]

A couple of additional ideas about the wires are, depending on how near correct your are striving for are:

1. You might check with either your local Nissan Dealer or one, like Courtesy Nissan in Dallas, as you may be able to still obtain and genuine set of black wires through Nissan.

As of 2008, Nissan did not have anything that was visually correct for 240Z. That may have changed by now, but I doubt it.

2. Call Mike at Banzai Motorworks in Maryland as he has listed on his website black wires. Banzai is known for their Z restoration and some reproduction parts.

When I talked with Mike about these some time back, I recall that they were black, but with red-ish boots.

[spitz17]

I did some shopping at a local parts house and picked up a set of "Magstar Gold" wires. They are black with black boots, and other than the color appear to be very similar to the NGKs. Part #12-6416 was the set I got, the fit is decent. Does not have the bent boot for number six. They are built here in the USA by Wiretec (a division of General Cable) and were quite affordable. Obviously not stock, but not "in-your-face-blue-aftermarket" either.

Arne, I just want to give a quick update on the Magstar Gold item if you do not mind. I e-mailed them through their website the response I got was:

"Thanks for your inquiry.

I sold my company a couple of years ago so that Magstar set is no longer available. You can order a 23-6316 (Magstar Racing) from Advance Auto Parts. It is available in red or blue and is an extremely high quality / high performance set. It is 8.5mm in diameter.

Best regards,

Brian Moore

Wiretec, a General Cable

407-578-4569"

So it looks like the Magstar Golds are no longer available I may be looking into a set from Banzai Motorworks.

[bpilati]

I actually have three different sets of wires for my car. The original 1971 date-coded set, a set of blue NGKs (decent wires, but a bit garish-looking), and my current black wires. (I have been known to install the originals for shows.)

I had the blue NGK wires on my car for a year or two, but a while back decided to go with black wires for the more stock look. I did some shopping at a local parts house and picked up a set of "Magstar Gold" wires. They are black with black boots, and other than the color appear to be very similar to the NGKs. Part #12-6416 was the set I got, the fit is decent. Does not have the bent boot for number six. They are built here in the USA by Wiretec (a division of General Cable) and were quite affordable. Obviously not stock, but not "in-your-face-blue-aftermarket" either.

I bought mine from a locally owned parts house, don't know who might carry them in your neighborhood.

As for matching the engine number - the only place to check that is on the stamped number plate in the engine compartment, on the right inner fender. For a 240Z, both the VIN and the engine number should be stamped on that plate.

If you use Nissan wires it is considered sufficient for original.

[spitz17]

I think someone mentioned that the wires Nissan now sells are from a 280ZX and blue...?

[spitz17]

I found a set of black spark plug wires with black boots that works with our Z's. They are labeled "Pro Series by Federal," made by Standard Motor Products. I just got them at my generic auto store (Winchester Auto Parts) here in San Jose. The black wires may be mistaken for gray as in the picture the light was shining directly on them. The set also has one angled spark plug boot for the hole closest to the firewall.