Started first Auto Model Have questions

A pin vise and a set of micro drill bits will work for drilling the distributor and plug locations for sure, and as far as a wash don't use one if you want to display your build as a show car  but if you want to show it more like an everyday driver or stock/race type car a subtle dark wash will help bring out detail.

The others have answered the plug wire questions well but I want to throw my 2¢ in on the engine wash.

I would still give the engine a slight wash or drybrush the engine.  Example, I am painting a chevy engine so I start with Orange. I would add a touch of blue to darken it and shoot the whole engine then I would drybrush with the original orange. In my opinion models are too small to cast adequet shadows to look realistic. So even a show car syle model should have something to help "pop" the detail and make the engine look real. I know there is a very fine line though between a little wash to get detail and making the engine look dirty.

 

So that is my take on engine washing. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Scott N ,greetings from the far north end of the land of ten thousand lakes.I tend to agree with you on the wash/drybrush angle as it will make some of the more subtle details pop.