The Best Buys In Small Parts

Weatherpak connectors are great for quick-disconnect wiring and also excellent at maintaining the connection over long periods of time. The connectors require a special crimping tool.

Weatherpak connectors are great for quick-disconnect wiring and also excellent at maintain

Electrical Components
Here's where we could probably fill the entire magazine with ideas, parts, and wiring kits, so we really had to exercise self-control and not stuff this section with part numbers. While most car crafters don't worry much about what wire they buy, they really should. The wire you find at the local hardware store or auto parts store generally uses an inexpensive insulator that can quickly become brittle. We found a company called Del City that supplies many aftermarket companies with high-quality electrical wire and components. Del City's SAE spec wire is designed to withstand continual exposure to as high as 257 degrees F. Generally, you would expect to pay more for a quality wire like this, but we purchased 100-foot spools of 18-gauge black and red wire for less than $7.00 each. When we checked at the auto parts store, we found a 30-foot roll for $6.99, so by purchasing in bulk, you get three times as much wire that's also a superior quality.

We also went looking for the good stuff like Weatherpak connectors. If you're not familiar with these components, GM used to use them on the TPI cars. While a special tool is required to make the connection, Weatherpak fittings offer excellent weather-resistant connections that are also simple to disconnect. Del City sells a 425-piece system in a plastic box that contains 10 each of the one-, two-, three-, and four-way connectors plus all the little rubber seals and wire connectors for the outstanding price of only $44.07. If you are wiring a street car, these make for excellent quick-access wire connectors. For the assembly tool, MSD sells a slick spark plug wire crimping tool with removable jaws through Summit Racing. You can then purchase a set of Weatherpak crimping jaws for $35.00 that will keep the tool cost to just over $100.00. Plus, you'll have a nice spark plug wire crimping tool as a bonus.