I would appreciate some guidance on replacement spark plug wires.
I have a 1970 E Type Series 2, six cylinders, left hand drive, with Champion N.11Y spark plugs.
The problem starts with I canÔÇÖt find any document with information on the type of spark plug wires I should use as replacement. There is nothing in the Jaguar Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook that came with the car and nothing in Haynes Owners Workshop Manual. The original spark plug wires (now badly worn in places) are Champion.
I contacted Champion (Company) by email and they informed me that they do not have a recommendation for a 1970 XKE. I note, for a 1970 XKE, that the Bosch web catalogue recommends part number 09044 and Denso web catalogue recommends part number 671-6167. However there is no technical data on the wires (particularly length). I have also visited a couple of large car parts supplier and they have many different sets of Champion wires but none that look like the original wires.
Have any owners found a Champion wire set that works? Or are the recommendations of Bosch or Denso appropriate? Any comments, guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Clifford Brown

Submitted by wcjssj@comcast.net on Tue, 09/08/2009 - 19:59

Hi Clifford

You dont say whether or not you are concerned with concours. If you are, the regular Jag parts people have wires and connectors that look just like what you have. If you are not concerned (as I wasnt) then go to NAPA and get their best wire set for a 6 cylinder car. You will want the bent over connectors. If you are using points or the original Pertronix ignitor (my recommendation), then you can use copper wires and the little disks. If you have one of their new fancier electronic ignitions, you must use resistance wires of some kind. You will need a distributor cap with standard connections form a Jag parts dealer. In any case you should get a new cap and rotor. Moss offers a high quality rotor #872-785.

Good luck

Curt

Submitted by NC19-03320J on Sat, 09/05/2009 - 16:51

Hi Clifford, You're concerned over something that doesn't amount to much, after all you are replacing some that are 39-40 YEARS OLD!! If they are carbon core get a rough estimate of the total length that you need and the friendly local auto parts will be happy to sell you how many feet that comes to. Same with the copper core wires except that you'll need to save the little copper disc at the distributor end of each wire. Have fun fishing the wires back through the conduit!
Bob