Spark plug shorting to header?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Spark plug shorting to header?
I started noticing a ticking noise a few days ago while the engine was idling. I started getting a rough idle, and when I start to accelerate, the engine is definitely missing until it gets up to about 1500 RPM, then it runs perfectly. Today I was listening around trying to find the ticking noise and I spotted it. Electricity is arcing from one of my spark plugs/wires to the header. It's the third plug from the front on the driver's side. See photo. The red arrow points to the spark plug wire, and the yellow points to the header. That's about a 1/2" gap it's arcing across.
What can I do to fix this?
What can I do to fix this?
Last edited by Tripoli; Oct 10, 2010 at 02:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
In addition to using better "boots," you can run "header plugs" that give ~3/8" more clearance. They also make high heat sleaves to go over the boots. Summit/Jegs should carry that stuff.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Something must be wrong with the plug if a 1/2" air gap is the easiest path to ground.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
I'm pretty new when it comes to spark plug wires, boots, distributors, etc. I'm used to coil packs and computers. Could I get a little guidance on what spark plug wires to get that meet the above criteria?
Here's the search I did on Jegs, but I get more results than I know what to do with: Jegs Search Results
Do I need to get some wire separators?
What's the best kind of plug to get that's reasonably priced?
Here's the search I did on Jegs, but I get more results than I know what to do with: Jegs Search Results
Do I need to get some wire separators?
What's the best kind of plug to get that's reasonably priced?
