HELP - 496MAG Spark Plug wire cross reference
 

I won't go into the long story, but I finally decided to remove all the spark plugs wires to try and find a elusive miss...and damn it, on cylinder #3 I found a burn mark...i missed it while checking on the engine, but found it out after I pulled the entire wire.

Now, my problem is now that it is thursday night, I was supposed to take off on my boat for the weekend, leaving tomorrow am

can't find any marine store that has the merc (ac delco - marine) spark plug wires. Tried matching at the local auto store, but the coil pack side was different.

Found the same block in a 2006 Chevy 3500 (with the 496 engine of course)...mine 496 is a 2008, but pretty sure same block.

Does anyone know for sure if I order the Chevy 3500 wires, will they be the same, or does the marine engine use different coil packs, thus messing things up.

But I am worried, since the marine part is this....and of course the truck set is $80

84-881698 Plug Wire Set $518.00
Fits MCM 496 Mag & HO and MIE 8.1L & HO (2000 and newer

thanks in advance!

It will get you thru the weekend - take whatever is close.

As long as the coil side COPPER plug is the same you can cut the boot.

The 496 Superstore!
 

We at Raylar have new Mercury OEM take off plug wire sets in stock for 496's @ $75.00 set plus your choice of UPS shipping time.

Best Regards,
Ray #@ Raylar (866)-496-8181

Ray....you are a hero as always. I am in a emergency, (As I am supposed to already be on the water) so I hope this truck set I found will work temp....but on Monday I will give you a call to order the real thing!

if it is just rubbed through,,,and grounding out,,,just tape it up,,,the center core might stillbe good,,,to get you by the weekend

Tape won't stop the miss. And the wires from the truck engine are much shorter. They go straight from the coil to the plug, the marine version has to go around the exhaust.

Ditto 496 truck wires are way to short go with the universal Taylor plugs or the ones Raylar has. Anything for a truck motor will not work.

if the wire was rubbing on something,,,the tape would work

Yep you were right on about the truck wires being too short...but I did find a 1998 454 mag core wire set that had longer wires that got me through the weekend. I will now be ordering a set from Ray...thanks to all for helping out!

2 questions..

Whats the replacement plug for a 496MAG, non HO?

What's the recommended time for replacement on plugs? and wires?

Thanks-

Spring tune up-

Standard plug is AC Delco 41-983 platinum.

I would look at replacing plugs every other season or so unless a miss or problem shows sooner.

As for plug wires they should go I would think a minimum of 4 years or so depending on heat factor in engine bay, weather conditions and general wear and tear. If the engine is not missing most likely plug wires are fine.

If you need new plug wire sets we still have about a half a dozen sets in stock at our current price of $85 per set plus UPS shipping.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Is there a requirement for Platinum, I thought those were used so cars could go 100K between tune ups. I was always told Champion or Autolite was the way to go, if your going to change them frequently anyways...

Just asking, thanks for the info-

A Plug for new Plugs
 

Use the factory recommended plug, its platinum but the marine engines loads , moisture and rotten fuel is hard on plugs. If you want you can just try cleaning them carefully with a toothbrush and some alcohol. Do not blast them! and do not use a wire brush or such! Re-gap them carefully to about .050" and if they are in good shape they should go until they start missing under loads. The new platinum plugs at a discount auto parts company should only run about $8-$11 dollars each so a new set won't break the bank. Remember to lightly coat the thread with a good lubricant and don't overtighten as this can break the plug (insulator) and the new plug is then toast!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

I am sure I am wrong, I thought the plugs for the 496 were Iridium plugs? I did a search on the part number ant got a Iridium plug not a Platinum. Also thought the gat was .35
Ray I know your the 496 guru. Just trying to make sure. Ill also be calling you soon for two sets of wires.

I'm afraid you are, AC Platinum 41-983 is what is written in the manual, as Ray said.
Otoh, I've yet to find an engine which doesn't like NGK plugs.
And NGK equivalents in this case are either PZTR5A-15 (platinum), or TR55IX (iridium).
What I can't understand is that NGK suggests that iridium is even better than platinum, but apparently the latter remains the more expensive...
Any views on that?