Plug wire connection difficulty!

[493 Mike]

I was provided a set of MSD plug wires when I picked up my 540 from Muscle Motors back in 2016. They appear to be top quality but, I am having great difficulty getting them to snap onto the plug connection. I have them lubed right up with dielectric grease but, due to location and mainly my arm/ hand strength I have several wires that refuse to connect. Am I alone in this situation? Any advice? I did ask a friend for help but, if there existed some tool/ technique I do not know about that would assist me I certainly would like to know. Thanks fellas!
Mike

 

[Don67Satellite]

Sometimes I think that being a gymnast in my youth would have helped me with the same thing you are describing.

 

[Aron Gleason]

In some cases it's easier to use different plug boots to make them snap on. Try 90 degree boots or straight on some.

 

[turbine68rt]

Was the grease only applied to the porcelain part of the plug? Have you tried using an uninstalled plug in-hand to get a better idea why it won't snap on?

 

[493 Mike]

Was the grease only applied to the porcelain part of the plug? Have you tried using an uninstalled plug in-hand to get a better idea why it won't snap on?

Oh, yes. I wouldn't have posted if I hadn't tried everything I could think of. I am greasing up the boot interior and the plug terminal.
Mike

 

[turbine68rt]

Just a guess, but if there is any excess grease being pushed into the female terminal connector, the terminal may be trying to displace it and not allowing it to fully insert. I would try to remove as much grease as possible and see if it improves anything.

I am greasing up the boot interior and the plug terminal.
Mike

 

[493 Mike]

Just a guess, but if there is any excess grease being pushed into the female terminal connector, the terminal may be trying to displace it and not allowing it to fully insert. I would try to remove as much grease as possible and see if it improves anything.

No. I did not "hydralic" the plug boots!
Mike

 

[vance.dykes]

I was provided a set of MSD plug wires when I picked up my 540 from Muscle Motors back in 2016. They appear to be top quality but, I am having great difficulty getting them to snap onto the plug connection. I have them lubed right up with dielectric grease but, due to location and mainly my arm/ hand strength I have several wires that refuse to connect. Am I alone in this situation? Any advice? I did ask a friend for help but, if there existed some tool/ technique I do not know about that would assist me I certainly would like to know. Thanks fellas!
Mike

take a spare spark plug and snap it in on the wire you are trying to snap on to the plug in the engine do this a few times to unspring the terminal

 

[Jonas Nordstrom]

You are not alone. This can be a real pain on some hard to reach plugs.
I do what vance.dykes said.
Take a spare one and plug/unplug it many times to get a feel and also to get a new connector a bit more friendlier.
After that its time for the gymnast that lives inside you and climb into the engine bay.

 

[VANDAN]

Mike, you could change the engine to a Hemi, the plugs are easier to get at !!!

 

[Daves69]

I had several straight boot plug wires I had issues getting on in my Abody for lack of space. I ordered 90° boots but was sent straights.
Here's #7 and a straight boot. Right up against the steering. Could not get it on until I lubed the boot and slid it up the wire. Got the connection made then slid the boot down around it. Could have waited for the correct boots ..........but I didn't, Lol.
A couple days later a full set of 90° boots the supplier sent showed up. Worked fine and dandy........

 

[493 Mike]

Mike, you could change the engine to a Hemi, the plugs are easier to get at !!!

How much power would I lose doing that? I'm happy so far with 765/753#.
Mike

 

[VANDAN]

How much power would I lose doing that? I'm happy so far with 765/753#.
Mike

Mike, it was in Jest only. I'm dealing with the Same "Vintage" Issues, like Many of Us !!!

 

[493 Mike]

Mike, it was in Jest only. I'm dealing with the Same "Vintage" Issues, like Many of Us !!!

I know that. Didn't the smiley face tip you off?
Mike

 

[Ron H]

Ok, could be too elementary and something you already did: Does the terminal connection loop snap onto the plug, sliding the boot back in order to view this? As posted using a mule plug could help you out.

 

[VANDAN]

I know that. Didn't the smiley face tip you off?
Mike

I've got plenty of "Anti- Vandaner's" on here now, Didn't want You to Be one of Them !!!

 

[MoparLeo]

Pictures ?

 

[493 Mike]

Ok, could be too elementary and something you already did: Does the terminal connection loop snap onto the plug, sliding the boot back in order to view this? As posted using a mule plug could help you out.

I did use a plug to determine effort required to snap on and it was considerable. The silicone boot is also very "grabby" and just adds to the effort required. Rather embarrassing for a guy who once shouldered 465 lbs. in college. Oh well.
Mike

 

[Fran Blacker]

What about the upper a arm cam adjustment holes? Front one maybe won't help, but rear could.

 

[493 Mike]

What about the upper a arm cam adjustment holes? Front one maybe won't help, but rear could.

I tried those too. Just not quite the right angle. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. I think after performing the hot valve lash I will work each connector a dozen times with a spare plug to relax the spring tension and cross my fingers!
Mike