Arcing at the plug boots
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
[QUOTE=682XLR8;1579457483]I have my wires routed behind the heat shields on the block, under the headers, so 90's are about my only choice
Had memory fade on that one! I forgot your engine still had the heat shields, 90 degree boots are what you need. I used the 135's because of the Hookers.
Had memory fade on that one! I forgot your engine still had the heat shields, 90 degree boots are what you need. I used the 135's because of the Hookers.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Box from Summit came in today.....opened it, took out the new plugs I had ordered, and sent it back to Summit....already ordered the Accel wires ($150
) & they should be here Thursday, looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend!
) & they should be here Thursday, looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I've never used ceramic plug boots. I never use resistor plugs. I only use multi tipped platinum and they run fine with .045 - .050 gaps
The best big money wires are Taylor pro race wires. Something like 10 or 10.5 mm
The best big money wires are Taylor pro race wires. Something like 10 or 10.5 mm
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: Northern Florida
Came back from a short cruise around the neighborhood, and was checking out the engine when I turned the lights out checking for arcing...and sure enough the wires are arcing right at the plug....all eight of them Let the engine cool a bit, removed the boots and applied dielectric grease to each boot....same result
There's a weak link in the ignition system somewhere, but before I go buying parts I want the Forums opinion on this
The System:
MSD tach drive distributor
6A box
8mm MSD Heli-core wires
AC 41-629 plugs gapped at .035
Blaster 2 coil
Everything is about eight years old with maybe 6-7000 miles on them except the plugs, cap, rotor which are ~ 3 years
Any suggestions?
Let the engine cool a bit, removed the boots and applied dielectric grease to each boot....same result There's a weak link in the ignition system somewhere, but before I go buying parts I want the Forums opinion on thisThe System:
MSD tach drive distributor
6A box
8mm MSD Heli-core wires
AC 41-629 plugs gapped at .035
Blaster 2 coil
Everything is about eight years old with maybe 6-7000 miles on them except the plugs, cap, rotor which are ~ 3 years
Any suggestions?
Last edited by TheycallmeDave; Dec 14, 2011 at 12:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Sounds like what I have now
So far I have not seen any activity at the distributor, nor have I seen a spark actually jumping to ground i.e. the block, maybe arcing is the wrong word to use, but what I am seeing is what looks like static fizzling around each boot right at the porcelin. This activity is not shooting sparks out that I can see, but looks to be restricted to the boot/porcelin area, and it is very clearly visible around all eight boots when the lights are turned off
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: Northern Florida
Sounds like what I have now
So far I have not seen any activity at the distributor, nor have I seen a spark actually jumping to ground i.e. the block, maybe arcing is the wrong word to use, but what I am seeing is what looks like static fizzling around each boot right at the porcelin. This activity is not shooting sparks out that I can see, but looks to be restricted to the boot/porcelin area, and it is very clearly visible around all eight boots when the lights are turned off
So far I have not seen any activity at the distributor, nor have I seen a spark actually jumping to ground i.e. the block, maybe arcing is the wrong word to use, but what I am seeing is what looks like static fizzling around each boot right at the porcelin. This activity is not shooting sparks out that I can see, but looks to be restricted to the boot/porcelin area, and it is very clearly visible around all eight boots when the lights are turned off
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: Northern Florida
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
the MSD box does make my car run better for cold morning starts.... but I do not have a choke either, Might Demon 750's dont have them.... so this helps me..... also, when up around 6500-7000RMP I think it helps keep the spark from blowing out.... but for a stock car.... no, you don't...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
DC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
Would something like this work for you: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-72013/
There's no pic in the above link but here's the same thing in blue: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-72011/?rtype=10
There may be other manufacturers of something similar.
DC
There's no pic in the above link but here's the same thing in blue: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-72011/?rtype=10
There may be other manufacturers of something similar.
DC
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Back when I was gathering parts for the engine build(before my Forum days), the only tach drive distributor I could find at that time was the MSD.....the HEI's on the market at that time were pricy, so I thought the MSD was a great deal. When it came to install, I read the instructions a little more thoroughly, and that's when I saw that I needed the 6L box to make this work....so much for saving a few bucks
how long have you had them for?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: Northern Florida
Sounds like what I have now
So far I have not seen any activity at the distributor, nor have I seen a spark actually jumping to ground i.e. the block, maybe arcing is the wrong word to use, but what I am seeing is what looks like static fizzling around each boot right at the porcelin. This activity is not shooting sparks out that I can see, but looks to be restricted to the boot/porcelin area, and it is very clearly visible around all eight boots when the lights are turned off
So far I have not seen any activity at the distributor, nor have I seen a spark actually jumping to ground i.e. the block, maybe arcing is the wrong word to use, but what I am seeing is what looks like static fizzling around each boot right at the porcelin. This activity is not shooting sparks out that I can see, but looks to be restricted to the boot/porcelin area, and it is very clearly visible around all eight boots when the lights are turned off
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: Northern Florida
What is your next step ?
Have you contacted the Spark Plug Manufacturer or the Ignition Wire Manufacturer to see if they can shed some light on this occurence ? When you get to the bottom of it, would you please make a post here just in case it happens to me or another in the future (?) . Im very curious at this point.... Thanks.
Have you contacted the Spark Plug Manufacturer or the Ignition Wire Manufacturer to see if they can shed some light on this occurence ? When you get to the bottom of it, would you please make a post here just in case it happens to me or another in the future (?) . Im very curious at this point.... Thanks.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
My next step is to replace the plugs and wires with the Accels I provided the link to.....as soon as I get the time to get out in the garage and do it I have the headers and heat shields off the car now, just need to assemble the plug wires and put it all back together
I'll definitely be posting the results when I get it running
I have the headers and heat shields off the car now, just need to assemble the plug wires and put it all back togetherI'll definitely be posting the results when I get it running
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
G'day
Randy,
You've got the headers off AGAIN?????? What's wrong, are you a glutton for punishment?
I've got the ps pump out now, it was leaking and squealing when I turned the wheel, so there you go. I guess we all like taking bits off and putting them on again.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
You've got the headers off AGAIN?????? What's wrong, are you a glutton for punishment?
I've got the ps pump out now, it was leaking and squealing when I turned the wheel, so there you go. I guess we all like taking bits off and putting them on again.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn