Spark Plug Boot - Drama- Pics
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Spark Plug Boot - Drama- Pics
As some of you know just completed a new engine build/install.
Fired it up a few times for some idle time. No driving yet. Idle only.
Everything seem and sounded good.
Fired her up yesterday and it was popping and missing. Then I heard what sounded like some electric popping sound.
I started to wonder if the protective fiberglass heat socks I had on 3 plugs could of possibly burned through. Of course not right. They are suppose to be good to like 1000 degrees. Well maybe not.
The hottest I have seen the header tubes so far are 350 degrees.
Well 3 of these MSD 8.5mmm spark plug boots melted/cracked. The holes you see below is what I picked apart where I found the burned spots. On the other side of these burned spots were the metal terminals
After talking to a few people, I have been told this can cause all kind of ignition problems. Basically make the ignition/dizzy go nuts. I remember this from my earlier days of messing with performance engines with headers.
I understand that wires/boots will burn if they touch the headers, but with these protective heat socks, I did not expect that. Thought that was the whole point of using them. I guess I need to put some 90 degree boots on if they will fit for these 3 plugs.
The cuts you see down the side, is what I did to remove them from the wire.
Anybody else have this problem?
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Fired it up a few times for some idle time. No driving yet. Idle only.
Everything seem and sounded good.
Fired her up yesterday and it was popping and missing. Then I heard what sounded like some electric popping sound.
I started to wonder if the protective fiberglass heat socks I had on 3 plugs could of possibly burned through. Of course not right. They are suppose to be good to like 1000 degrees. Well maybe not.
The hottest I have seen the header tubes so far are 350 degrees.
Well 3 of these MSD 8.5mmm spark plug boots melted/cracked. The holes you see below is what I picked apart where I found the burned spots. On the other side of these burned spots were the metal terminals
After talking to a few people, I have been told this can cause all kind of ignition problems. Basically make the ignition/dizzy go nuts. I remember this from my earlier days of messing with performance engines with headers.
I understand that wires/boots will burn if they touch the headers, but with these protective heat socks, I did not expect that. Thought that was the whole point of using them. I guess I need to put some 90 degree boots on if they will fit for these 3 plugs.
The cuts you see down the side, is what I did to remove them from the wire.
Anybody else have this problem?
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I don't think you can have any actual contact with the header with anything except possibly those hard ceramic boots.
If you look at the pic below you cant see how close the spark plug is to the header pipe. Now I had to put an ordinary boot on it.
I used an exacto knife and cut the corner off the boot so when the boot is on their is air between the boot and the header pipe.
Not much barely enough to slide a piece of folded paper between them but the open air space is not a good conductor of heat. Ran it like that for years. If the boot had actually touched the pipe it would have melted and I would have had arcing
If you look at the pic below you cant see how close the spark plug is to the header pipe. Now I had to put an ordinary boot on it.
I used an exacto knife and cut the corner off the boot so when the boot is on their is air between the boot and the header pipe.
Not much barely enough to slide a piece of folded paper between them but the open air space is not a good conductor of heat. Ran it like that for years. If the boot had actually touched the pipe it would have melted and I would have had arcing
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
yes... had the problem... drove me fraken 
tried everything.... here's your fix....
1. excell (sp) shorty header spark plugs
2. the msd 90* boots
3. ceramic headers
4. ceramic headers
5. ceramic headers
and you will never have the problem again.....
Also, Lars had a very good write up on timing and A/F and the heat generated, I wanted to copy it but forgot... p
tried everything.... here's your fix....
1. excell (sp) shorty header spark plugs
2. the msd 90* boots
3. ceramic headers
4. ceramic headers
5. ceramic headers
and you will never have the problem again.....
Also, Lars had a very good write up on timing and A/F and the heat generated, I wanted to copy it but forgot... p
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Thats strange, I'm not using these insulators and the closest plug boot to the header tube is about 1/4 in. or so , but I didn't notice any burning marks on them so far. My wires are routed above the valve covers (just like the factory stock) and maybe that would pull the boots a little bit away from the header's tubes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
#'s 1 & 3 are against the headers,
I have wrapped my headers, dented the tubs, tried the sleeves, different wires and now ceramic boots
even with shorty plugs and 135* boots they are against the headers.
I even tried the ceramic extender, wrench rat I think its called,
the only real fix for the BBC's are the Accel ceramic wires
not cheap but they work, hell I spent way over the cost of these wires just trying different things to stop the plug wires from burning
Neal
I have wrapped my headers, dented the tubs, tried the sleeves, different wires and now ceramic boots
even with shorty plugs and 135* boots they are against the headers.
I even tried the ceramic extender, wrench rat I think its called,
the only real fix for the BBC's are the Accel ceramic wires
not cheap but they work, hell I spent way over the cost of these wires just trying different things to stop the plug wires from burning
Neal
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Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
wast of my money.... 2. i did that also....
throwing good money after bad trying to make it stop,,,,,i feel your pain my friend!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Well I guess I am not the only one. Figured those protective heat socks would work. Really disappointed with those. I am going to try a few of my old AC delco 90 degree boot/wires off the SB and see if they burn/rub up against the tubes for a test. If they do not I will get some new boots and go with that or try these ceramic boots I keep hearing about.
So, as long as the boot and or wire is not touching the tube I should be good??
Sounds like motorhead is very close but as long as it does not touch it should not burn..
Yes, I do have ceramic coasted headers. Sure do like them, they seem to run cooler, minus the cooking of the boots. I did have to ding the #3 tube to fit around the steering box.
#1, #3 and #4 are the ones that are burning per the pic above.
So, as long as the boot and or wire is not touching the tube I should be good??
Sounds like motorhead is very close but as long as it does not touch it should not burn..
Yes, I do have ceramic coasted headers. Sure do like them, they seem to run cooler, minus the cooking of the boots. I did have to ding the #3 tube to fit around the steering box.
#1, #3 and #4 are the ones that are burning per the pic above.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 673
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne Victoria
Took me awhile to work out WHY this happened
After replacing the caps 3 times & having the same thing happen,
it turned out to be my chrome exhaust manifold
covers. The bolts & spacers didn't seal the manifold thus causing hot exhaust gases (leaking past the gasket) to fry my caps.
Good Luck with yours,
Cheers
Gav
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
I am digging everything pauldana has been writing. I had the same problem that i picked up at night in my garage with a stray spark jumping to a header through a boot and my clearance wasnt even that tight. It must have just started as i didnt notice anything unusual when driving or idle and my boot was barely visibly damaged..just a small hole.
both these motors look like the same one but they arent, im just a sucker for the valve covers . I used the protective boots and have had no problems since and thats even with ceramic coated headers almost touching them but Crikey if yours look like motorheads pics then that bloody close .
both these motors look like the same one but they arent, im just a sucker for the valve covers . I used the protective boots and have had no problems since and thats even with ceramic coated headers almost touching them but Crikey if yours look like motorheads pics then that bloody close .
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Oct 5, 2010 at 06:15 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
Hey guys, it looks to me he has a small block 350....so maybe a little different fix for him???
1. Figured those protective heat socks would work.
2. I am going to try a few of my old AC delco 90 degree boot/wires off the SB and see if they burn/rub up against the tubes for a test.
3. So, as long as the boot and or wire is not touching the tube I should be good??
4. Yes, I do have ceramic coasted headers. Sure do like them, they seem to run cooler, minus the cooking of the boots. I did have to ding the #3 tube to fit around the steering box.
:
1. They help... but wont fix the problem
2. your old 90* boots most likely are not high-heat like the MSD and some of the others... so they may burn up even under lower heat...
3. no... sorry... no.... i would say at least 1/4"... to get this clearance, you have to use the shorty header plugs. no other way.
4. are you sure? 100%? some look like they are, some even use deceptive advertising to make you think they are.... because if they are not.... your problem is not going to go away. ever. ..can you post a pic of the headers and your wire and routing?
thx.. p
1. Figured those protective heat socks would work.
2. I am going to try a few of my old AC delco 90 degree boot/wires off the SB and see if they burn/rub up against the tubes for a test.
3. So, as long as the boot and or wire is not touching the tube I should be good??
4. Yes, I do have ceramic coasted headers. Sure do like them, they seem to run cooler, minus the cooking of the boots. I did have to ding the #3 tube to fit around the steering box.
:
2. your old 90* boots most likely are not high-heat like the MSD and some of the others... so they may burn up even under lower heat...
3. no... sorry... no.... i would say at least 1/4"... to get this clearance, you have to use the shorty header plugs. no other way.
4. are you sure? 100%? some look like they are, some even use deceptive advertising to make you think they are.... because if they are not.... your problem is not going to go away. ever. ..can you post a pic of the headers and your wire and routing?
thx.. p
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Look, lets just drop the hammer on this crap once and for all.....
either someone starts up making 1/2" thick header spacers for both BBC and SBC, or header makers learn how to make headers without the problems.....
this is a ages old problem, and SO simple to cure, bunch of freeking idiots at the factory/importer level that can't get their act together....
I had the pipe diameter, I'd have cut my headers and modified the pipes, but took the easy route and use Jacobs ceramic boots....
nothing but a brain dead idiot in charge of the header maker that would let this be a continuing problem with the product line....
and you all know I"m right, too....
either someone starts up making 1/2" thick header spacers for both BBC and SBC, or header makers learn how to make headers without the problems.....
this is a ages old problem, and SO simple to cure, bunch of freeking idiots at the factory/importer level that can't get their act together....
I had the pipe diameter, I'd have cut my headers and modified the pipes, but took the easy route and use Jacobs ceramic boots....
nothing but a brain dead idiot in charge of the header maker that would let this be a continuing problem with the product line....
and you all know I"m right, too....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 34,007
Likes: 23
From: Pacific N.W. Warshington
Look, lets just drop the hammer on this crap once and for all.....
either someone starts up making 1/2" thick header spacers for both BBC and SBC, or header makers learn how to make headers without the problems.....
this is a ages old problem, and SO simple to cure, bunch of freeking idiots at the factory/importer level that can't get their act together....
I had the pipe diameter, I'd have cut my headers and modified the pipes, but took the easy route and use Jacobs ceramic boots....
nothing but a brain dead idiot in charge of the header maker that would let this be a continuing problem with the product line....
and you all know I"m right, too....
either someone starts up making 1/2" thick header spacers for both BBC and SBC, or header makers learn how to make headers without the problems.....
this is a ages old problem, and SO simple to cure, bunch of freeking idiots at the factory/importer level that can't get their act together....
I had the pipe diameter, I'd have cut my headers and modified the pipes, but took the easy route and use Jacobs ceramic boots....
nothing but a brain dead idiot in charge of the header maker that would let this be a continuing problem with the product line....
and you all know I"m right, too....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
I called MSD and raised a little hell. They said the boots I had were good to 700 degrees. I am not sure I am buying that. Anyway, they are sending me a few replacement wires with their super high heat 90 degree boots. I will see how those do.
I will post some pics, when I get them and put them on. For now I am going to just do some idle time on the next start up. Been working on my valve lash last few days. Lots of fun...
I will post some pics, when I get them and put them on. For now I am going to just do some idle time on the next start up. Been working on my valve lash last few days. Lots of fun...
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
I called MSD and raised a little hell. They said the boots I had were good to 700 degrees. I am not sure I am buying that. Anyway, they are sending me a few replacement wires with their super high heat 90 degree boots. I will see how those do.
I will post some pics, when I get them and put them on. For now I am going to just do some idle time on the next start up. Been working on my valve lash last few days. Lots of fun...
I will post some pics, when I get them and put them on. For now I am going to just do some idle time on the next start up. Been working on my valve lash last few days. Lots of fun...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I called MSD and raised a little hell. They said the boots I had were good to 700 degrees. I am not sure I am buying that. Anyway, they are sending me a few replacement wires with their super high heat 90 degree boots. I will see how those do.
I will post some pics, when I get them and put them on. For now I am going to just do some idle time on the next start up. Been working on my valve lash last few days. Lots of fun...
I will post some pics, when I get them and put them on. For now I am going to just do some idle time on the next start up. Been working on my valve lash last few days. Lots of fun...
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