Accel Shorty header plugs arrive!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Accel Shorty header plugs arrive!
I called Bosch, NKG, Accel. Accel is the only one's that make short insulator plugs in the 14mm .750 thread gasket type plug.
Oh, the tech at Accel told me about these new shorty header plugs that they make. 0414S & the colder 0416S. (The S is for Shorty plug) It was going to be the answer to all my spark plug to header clearance problems. I had them flown in next day air for an extra $24. Only because Summit Racing told me 10 back order.
I was bitching about my AFR heads for the clearance problems. That was unfair on my part to a certian extent. When it gets right down to it. It was the moron that determined how to make the Hooker Super Comp 1 3/4 headers. I was also told by the "TECH" when I ordered them that they were made for angle plug heads.
On the passenger side the pipes right off of the flange the pipes are already turning down. For no reason for it at all. Lots of clearance to the A/C heater core box on the #8 primary tube. The driver side the pipes come out 1.5 - 2 inches and then have the down turn radius
It's a cold cruel world out there, Lot's of B.S. from every vendor under the sun.
That's hardly a shorty if you ask me when you compare it to the Autolight platinums that i was using. .180 shorter! Not even a 1/4 inch shorter
Oh, the tech at Accel told me about these new shorty header plugs that they make. 0414S & the colder 0416S. (The S is for Shorty plug) It was going to be the answer to all my spark plug to header clearance problems. I had them flown in next day air for an extra $24. Only because Summit Racing told me 10 back order.
I was bitching about my AFR heads for the clearance problems. That was unfair on my part to a certian extent. When it gets right down to it. It was the moron that determined how to make the Hooker Super Comp 1 3/4 headers. I was also told by the "TECH" when I ordered them that they were made for angle plug heads.
On the passenger side the pipes right off of the flange the pipes are already turning down. For no reason for it at all. Lots of clearance to the A/C heater core box on the #8 primary tube. The driver side the pipes come out 1.5 - 2 inches and then have the down turn radius
It's a cold cruel world out there, Lot's of B.S. from every vendor under the sun.
That's hardly a shorty if you ask me when you compare it to the Autolight platinums that i was using. .180 shorter! Not even a 1/4 inch shorter
Last edited by gkull; Mar 18, 2005 at 10:23 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I use the Accel S plugs in two cylinders and I thought they were about 1/4 inch shorter.
That sucks. What are you going to do now????
I do run Jacob ceramic boots on these you pipes and they can lay against the header without any problems.
That sucks. What are you going to do now????
I do run Jacob ceramic boots on these you pipes and they can lay against the header without any problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 1
From: Billings MT
Hey George, just so you know I did stop by the local shop here and they didn't have any. I'm glad you found one without waiting 10 days.
So what your saying is it STILL doesn't clear the header? Does it actually not fit, or does it just place the plug boot too close to the header?
The shorty plugs aren't anything new, I used the shorty accel plugs due to some header clearance problems nearly 3 years ago. Strange they would say they were new. They were not those part numbers. I wish I could find the part number because they were the standard U-groove plug, the <$2 ones, not the 041x's that are $3.x.
So what your saying is it STILL doesn't clear the header? Does it actually not fit, or does it just place the plug boot too close to the header?
The shorty plugs aren't anything new, I used the shorty accel plugs due to some header clearance problems nearly 3 years ago. Strange they would say they were new. They were not those part numbers. I wish I could find the part number because they were the standard U-groove plug, the <$2 ones, not the 041x's that are $3.x.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Matt Gruber
that fat washer has to go too. they teach that in bubba 201 
and NO rubber boot. it will just burn up
and NO rubber boot. it will just burn up
The washer is meant to be used and might position the plug correctly. I would hesitate to leave it out.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Yea but in a V8 performance motor, these Accel plugs will outfire those Platinums 8 outta 10 times. When I worked at the Dyno Shop, Platinum plugs were the first thing to go, even if they were new, when dyno tuning a car.
Test result after test result, we proved that hot rods run better with conventional plugs, and Accel makes good ones.
The only reason for Plats is for cars that get very infrequent maintenance, and the plugs need to be in for 60 to 100K miles. But on a C3? Nawww
Test result after test result, we proved that hot rods run better with conventional plugs, and Accel makes good ones.
The only reason for Plats is for cars that get very infrequent maintenance, and the plugs need to be in for 60 to 100K miles. But on a C3? Nawww
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,055
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From: central FL, near the beach.
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
If the washer goes will the plug hang too far into the combustion chambers. If the thread hangs past the edge of the head it could become a hot spot or foul with use the destroy the thread in the head when pulled out.
The washer is meant to be used and might position the plug correctly. I would hesitate to leave it out.
The washer is meant to be used and might position the plug correctly. I would hesitate to leave it out.
after 12 years of testing, it worked well for me.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
[QUOTE=SanDiegoPaul]Yea but in a V8 performance motor, these Accel plugs will outfire those Platinums 8 outta 10 times. When I worked at the Dyno Shop, Platinum plugs were the first thing to go, even if they were new, when dyno tuning a car.
QUOTE]
Paul - I index my plugs in. I don't have your dyno proof, but IMO a spark is a spark. If brand X is of equal heat range and plug gap to brand P why would it matter what the material was made out of?
I have changed to platinum plugs because of my ultra high power ignition. I ran variations of brand X's and when i would pull them out to check jetting or something. The gaps would be widened up to .070 -.080 from center electrode errosion. So I was always just throwing them away. Even the tips were rounded. They ran fine even at those gaps with 11/1 compression.
So I tested the platinums and I was able to set a plug gap and they don't erode at all the gap is always the same.
QUOTE]
Paul - I index my plugs in. I don't have your dyno proof, but IMO a spark is a spark. If brand X is of equal heat range and plug gap to brand P why would it matter what the material was made out of?
I have changed to platinum plugs because of my ultra high power ignition. I ran variations of brand X's and when i would pull them out to check jetting or something. The gaps would be widened up to .070 -.080 from center electrode errosion. So I was always just throwing them away. Even the tips were rounded. They ran fine even at those gaps with 11/1 compression.
So I tested the platinums and I was able to set a plug gap and they don't erode at all the gap is always the same.
Race Director
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Looks to me like you should measure from the washer seat to the end of the electrode and if you do it looks like it might be even a smaller difference in the two plugs 
Race Director
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From: central FL, near the beach.
i would tell a customer to pull the heads and have the holes re-drilled by a competent shop w/good clearance.
in fact, the next time my AFR heads are off, that is what i will do.
in fact, the next time my AFR heads are off, that is what i will do.
Race Director
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Matt Gruber
i would tell a customer to pull the heads and have the holes re-drilled by a competent shop w/good clearance.
in fact, the next time my AFR heads are off, that is what i will do.
in fact, the next time my AFR heads are off, that is what i will do.
That is alot of work and expense.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: central FL, near the beach.
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
How do you redrill the heads?? I could only see it done by welding up the existing hole, resufacing the head and redrilling and taping.
That is alot of work and expense.
That is alot of work and expense.
......
oh wait,
bubba just walked in
he says
whenever he starts a tap, it is crooked
so just cross thread it
then helicoil it...
gotta love bubba
Last edited by Matt Gruber; Mar 18, 2005 at 02:01 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Where are the Smoky Mountain Cruisers? Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
How do you redrill the heads?? I could only see it done by welding up the existing hole, resufacing the head and redrilling and taping.
That is alot of work and expense.
That is alot of work and expense.
Wonder if one could special order the heads without the sparkplug holes machined?
Le Mans Master
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From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Wow George, that's certainly a let down! What does the term "index the plugs" mean? I've always gapped my plugs & then just installed them into the head. Am I missing out on something here by not "indexing"?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: central FL, near the beach.
I took the liberty of calling Dr Ackwards. He said
TAKE A BUNCH OF PLUGS TO A GLASS BLOWING PLANT AND PAY THE GUY $20 TO HEAT IT IN AN OVEN TIL IT IS SOFT AND HAVE HIM BEND THE GLASS INSULATOR.
No doubt Dr Ackwards really earned his PHD.
The guy is a genius. Use a box wrench to install.
Then I called a Rabbi who is also a NCRS judge. He said it will pass by the judges most likely, and he said it would be Kosher if the wires Passover.
TAKE A BUNCH OF PLUGS TO A GLASS BLOWING PLANT AND PAY THE GUY $20 TO HEAT IT IN AN OVEN TIL IT IS SOFT AND HAVE HIM BEND THE GLASS INSULATOR.
No doubt Dr Ackwards really earned his PHD.
The guy is a genius. Use a box wrench to install.
Then I called a Rabbi who is also a NCRS judge. He said it will pass by the judges most likely, and he said it would be Kosher if the wires Passover.
Last edited by Matt Gruber; Mar 18, 2005 at 07:35 PM.
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I have going to try and shorten a spare plug, I only need about 1/4" on one plug all the others are Ok, I wonder if you took a propane torch to it.....
Race Director
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Matt Gruber
I took the liberty of calling Dr Ackwards. He said
TAKE A BUNCH OF PLUGS TO A GLASS BLOWING PLANT AND PAY THE GUY $20 TO HEAT IT IN AN OVEN TIL IT IS SOFT AND HAVE HIM BEND THE GLASS INSULATOR.
No doubt Dr Ackwards really earned his PHD.
The guy is a genius. Use a box wrench to install.
Then I called a Rabbi who is also a NCRS judge. He said it will pass by the judges most likely, and he said it would be Kosher if the wires Passover.
TAKE A BUNCH OF PLUGS TO A GLASS BLOWING PLANT AND PAY THE GUY $20 TO HEAT IT IN AN OVEN TIL IT IS SOFT AND HAVE HIM BEND THE GLASS INSULATOR.
No doubt Dr Ackwards really earned his PHD.
The guy is a genius. Use a box wrench to install.
Then I called a Rabbi who is also a NCRS judge. He said it will pass by the judges most likely, and he said it would be Kosher if the wires Passover.
Besides if you bend it too much it will hit the header while installing.
Matt are you smoking something these days?????