Pics wanted - Sniper/Hypserspark wire routing suggestions

[js65cobra]

Hi,

I'm in a semi rebuilding stage of my Mk1, well at least the engine compartment of it. For reasons outside of this, I needed to pull the engine out of mine and send it off to get rebuilt. This gave me time now to rip out the old duraspark type ignition and put in the Holley Hyperspark ignition box that I have so I can switch the engine over when I get it back.

Now, what I'm struggling with is where best to put the hyperspark box, and route the wires out the back of the sniper the cleanest. The old ignition was hidden between the body and the driver footwell up on the top, which doesn't seem ideal. Trying to get ideas on where to run all the wires and also place the hyperspark box... so if anyone has any pics of what you have done, would love the inspiration! Including pic of my old, dirty and now sad engine compartment.

149839

[Blitzboy54]

My engine is not in (possibly dropping this weekend) but I measured all the cables out and this is what I ended up doing. I do not have a home for the coil yet.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149186&d=1623089733

[Norm B]

I had an issue with RF interference with my Sniper and Hyperspark installation. When I talked to the Holley tech department, they wanted all ignition components as far away from the Sniper as possible. They recommended the ignition box on top of either footwell and the coil on an F panel. I used the drivers side for both. Still had interference and they had me wrap the distributor with aluminum foil. That cured it and I made a shield for the distributor. My oval "Cobra Powered By Ford" air cleaner was conducting distributor noise straight back to the ECU.

If your handheld screen goes red and the engine goes dead try shielding the distributor.

HTH

Norm

[D Stand]

149866

Here is what I did. I have only corked it off a few times with no interference so I am hopeful It will be ok per Norm B’s comments from Holley. I put the coil on the DS side and routed the coil wire along with the spark plug wires to keep it away from the ECU. The distributor wires are fished order the valley of the air gap intake. All other wires are run underneath the heater and through the oval hole on the PS. 149867

[GWL]

149866

Here is what I did.

I put the coil on the DS side and routed the coil wire along with the spark plug wires to keep it away from the ECU. 149867

It looks like you have run your spark plug wires and coil wire bundled together to the spark plugs and coil. You've gone as far as to zip tie them together? While the direction, away from the Sniper it good, they need to be separated from each other to help avoid crossfire between the wires. It is not easy to do but buy some wire separators and do the best to keep them apart from one another. You may get them to work, at first, but over time they may well begin developing some misfiring. One way of checking, when you have some misfiring/backfiring, is to open the hood in the dark and look for the fireworks while the engine is running. With those bundles you have you may not be able to diagnose the cross-firing in the dark.

George

[D Stand]

Thanks George. I had the coil wire running along the DS valley next to the valve cover to separate it from the spark plug wires but then thought it would be too close to the ECU. Do you think that would be ok? Also, ho much separation should I have between wires to prevent the cross firing?

[Norm B]

Many products available to separate the wires. Here's a link to what is listed on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=spark+plug+wire+holder&crid=IDZB2ZP7IGQO&sprefix=spark+plug+wire%2Caps%2C212&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_15

This is what mine look like. Used to have a red cap distributor before the Hyperspark upgrade, hence the colour. Hasn't bugged me enough yet to spend the money to change to black.

HTH

Norm

[GWL]

Thanks George. I had the coil wire running along the DS valley next to the valve cover to separate it from the spark plug wires but then thought it would be too close to the ECU. Do you think that would be ok? Also, ho much separation should I have between wires to prevent the cross firing?

D,

Using the link that Norm posted look for the plastic separators. Cheap but effective.

In addition, I not only meant to keep the coil wire separate from the plug wires but keep the spark plug wires separate and away from any metal and away from each other the best you can. You'll see it many times but don't lay them on the valve covers. Wire covering are better than they were just ten years ago and they will withstand more punishment over the years but why not keep them separated from any grounding that you can and away from any other wires that you can.

Just like the variability of the owners of the Holley Sniper units there are some that get away with running their ignition wires anywhere without any problems but it is just good practice to keep them separated.

George

added edit: looking at your distributor cap. Instead of running the wires through the cap because it has to go to the other side of the engine and close to the other wires, coming out of the cap, I've run mine around and away from the distributor. Longer wires but just good practice.

I did this with my ignition wiring because thought I had been chasing a cross firing problem causing backfire. Turned out to be the coil wire which I simply replaced and no more back fire.

[D Stand]

Norm - thanks for the link. Looks like the ones you have are the way to go!

George - thanks for the extra clarifications. I actually know better than to do what I did but was trying to make it look clean. But with your comments I am going to re-do this so I don’t fight it down the road like you are suggesting will happen.

[js65cobra]

Thanks for the great pics and advice everyone. I think I'll put the hyperspark box above the passenger footwell area. Have been able to route the wires behind the dash and a small hole in the firewall to make the wiring cleaner looking. Now to wait my engine to be rebuilt so I can put it all back together.