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I’m currently running into a problem with my spark plug wires and my headers. I have some performance summit racing headers installed on my 383. However my spark plug sits too close to the headers to where any 90° I put on it will end up being burnt by either direct contact. Or the radiating heat. There’s about a 1/4 inch space from my header and spark plug. I’m asking for some help because I currently have an arc from that spark plug boot but I don’t know how to fix it.
Can anyone give me some advice on what to do, because I’ve heard some people go with ceramic boots, while others found spark plugs that are shorter but still give out max performance. Thank you!
A set of spark plug wire sleeves would probably be what you’re looking for. They can be slipped on the plug side of the wire, and wiggled past the boot.
Otherwise there are options for shorter spark plugs, shouldn’t affect performance in any significant way.
Last edited by Piersonpie; May 1, 2024 at 11:29 AM.
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Purchase something like this and not worry anymore. Ceranic boots I put these on my motor since I had issues with #4 and #7 burning after a while. I do not have that problem anymore. GL
BTW...I did use the boot covers like mentioned for a while and they did not work for me either, header tubes too close to the boots. The ceramic boots have now worked perfect for me for the last three years, no issues.
Last edited by Buccaneer; May 1, 2024 at 12:58 PM.
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I have sleeves similar to what Piersonpie mentioned on three of my vehicles. Work well for me. You can easily get them from Amazon, Summit, auto parts store etc.
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
If you are already arcing from the wires then perhaps it is time to replace your spark plug wires. Once they breakdown internally the sleeving may not stop this issue. I have had Belden Edge Premium 8mm Cable SAE19 "Wired For Life" wires on my car for 5 years and all wire caps are within 1/4 to 1/2 inch to each header pipe at the plug. No issues or melting problems so far.
Last edited by Redvette2; May 3, 2024 at 10:16 AM.
Reason: Kan't spel...
Purchase something like this and not worry anymore. Ceranic boots I put these on my motor since I had issues with #4 and #7 burning after a while. I do not have that problem anymore. GL
BTW...I did use the boot covers like mentioned for a while and they did not work for me either, header tubes too close to the boots. The ceramic boots have now worked perfect for me for the last three years, no issues.
I will look into buying these. I have the boot sleeves but that specific one actually started melting cause of the contact on the header
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Originally Posted by Marco Romero
I will look into buying these. I have the boot sleeves but that specific one actually started melting cause of the contact on the header
I know, been there, done that. That's why I went with the ceramic boots. Have not had an issue since even if it lays on the header. GL on whichever way you go.
Taylors were fine with stock manifolds and heat shield
Couldn't use the shields with the headers, Burnt through the boot in a few weeks as it was basically laying on the pipe
Tried installing these shields, don't fit
Bought a ceramic boot, can't get it in with the header on, feels like the plug is going to break before it goes around the corner to line up and slide on. Might get on if I loosen off the header but that's not going to happen
Tried a set of accell 8.8 variangle wires with the woven sleeves
Here you can see the pattern from the sleeve heat-pressed into the boot where it burnt through. (I had to slit it with a razor to get it off the plug even though it was greased)
Changed that wire and swapped to a different set of looms to get a little, tiny, itty-bitty bit of room to the pipe and far so good, made it through 2 seasons (ok last year was really really short but still...)
So my take is,,,, the sleeves will work as long as there is still some gap but if it's touching... they didn't really protect the boot. I would suspect ceramic would work but I really would like a gap with them as well, that heat can't be good transferred to the plug out there either
M
Spark Plug Boots Melting
