Trying to help a fellow Corvette enthusiast. He is in the process of installing a BluePrint 383 engine he had brought over from the states.
because he has side pipes he has decided to run block hugger shorty headers. This would not be my choice but I am trying to help him out.
the issue is that BluePrint calls for NGK BKR5E spark plugs. Same plugs I run in my car. But, with the block hugger headers the plugs are almost touching the pipes. If I install the plug wires the boots are touching the pipes. Even with heat socks on them I fear they won't last 25 miles. Tried to get some photos with my phone. Not the best but maybe they can help.



now maybe you can tell, maybe not. but there is maybe a quarter inch between the plug and the pipe on numbers 3,5,4and 6.
I have heard of shorty plugs on here before, those with a shorter porcelain end.
Does anyone have a part number for a short plug that would be the equivalent to the BKR5E.
or perhaps another solution?
Thanks heaps for any help. Poor guy is desperate to get this on the road.

 

Block hugger shorty headers are exhaust manifolds that look like headers. Waste of time and money. Go back to manifolds and sell them to somebody else that thinks he wants headers.

 

I think only other option is BFH fine alignment tool to make headers not hit plug wires.

 

Had the same problem on my 79 with those headers. Sort of a solution we’re these short spark plugs. With Taylor plug wires. It’s still close but wires don’t touch the headers haven’t burned yet. I’m running Dart 180 heads.
I know these header’s aren’t the best for performance but they came with the exhaust system from corvette central. I’m not trying to win any races just cruising and it sounds good.

 

ACCEL 0416S-4 HP Copper Spark Plug - Shorty

Or leave the insulator off and see if spark jumps to the pipe too much.

 

https://www.holley.com/products/igni.../parts/0416S-4

 

Thank you everyone. We will get some coming. And some heat protector socks as well.
And Derek, he's not taking them off. He waited many months to get this engine from the states. Then much more time putting it in as the job is way over his head. He's no mechanic. He hired a guy to do the job. Guy mucked around for a month. Screwed up more than he got right and then walked away. He just wants to drive it again.
these manifolds look much better than the rusty originals. They will connect to his side pipes. And if we can just get some plug wires on it it's ready to start.

 

Accel ceramic spark plug wires work great.

 

Make sure you get the correct plug for your heads. Tapered seat or flat gasket type. Fyi

 

Bummer , his vehicle is a perfect candidate for Hedman side exit headers with ball flange collector , made just for side pipes

 

Agreed Eric. But this guy is sooo impatient. He's driving me nuts. He has a new BluePrint 383 that will not reach it's potential because he's in a huge hurry. And he doesn't want to work on it himself or learn.
I'll get this thing running, waiting on plugs and a few bits at the moment. Then I think I am done with this guy. I don't mind teaching him how. I don't like his unwillingness to learn.

 

They are a waste of money. Get 2 1/2” factory type manifolds and paint them with either high heat or Eastwood exhaust manifold paint.

 

I have a set of long tube headers on a C3's 427 running 12.25-1 compression which generates even more heat than normal coming out of the cylinder after combustion. On my drivers side the spark plug wires are near the tubes so I have put the DEI Spark Plug wire insulators on them. The material even touches the exhaust tube for my #1 cylinder but the wire remains fine and works great. I am a strong believer in using the insulators as they provide protection for the ends of the wires.

Block hugger style "header" is not much of an improvement over the stock exhaust manifold in many cases. You might want to look at other options for headers from a bigger company with years of experience. I use Hedman Hedders and have been very happy with them. They have always fit without the BFH to help re-arrange the surface of expensive headers. In situations with the ceramic coatings you really can't bend them too much without compromising the coating.

Sometimes you might have to trim the spark plug boot on the wire to get a closer fit to help avoid contacting the pipes. If you can get the short spark plugs in your heat range they too are great for tight installations.

From your pictures I would bet they used a jig to make them without any spark plugs installed. That clearance is ridiculous, I have not seen anything that close before.

 

I can't seem to mention this enough. So here goes again.
THIS IS NOT MY CAR! I AM HELPING A FELLOW CORVETTE ENTHUSIAST!
I know these block hugger headers are all about show and nothing about go.
So all the comments about losing them are to no avail.
They are on his car. He likes them for the way they look and they connect to his side pipes which are also junk. NOT MY CAR.
Just trying to get it running.
THANK YOU.

 

4-Vettes I think you commented on the shop,not actually a shop,but 3 bay garage with a lift,Grandfather and grandson,but they were going to pull engine,take off oil pan,check crank,and bearings,replace camshaft,lifters,new oil pump,and new harmonic balancer and I bought all the parts,they were just doing labor,when they were done he said I owe him $5,500.00.......well,besides having a heart attack I told him have you lost your Damn mind,I could buy a crate 383 full block engine,all dressed up cheaper than that.so,they did take it to the machine shop and had it hot tank which he said was $300. Which I doubt it,but I did give him $3,800. And got my car and hauled *** home. When I got home first thing I noticed was dip stick tubing that they broke the bracket to hold in place,and it was on their when I took it to them,next thing I noticed,the radiator support bolts all had been swapped,and I’m talking different lengths and different color bolts in,I had the original bolts in it,next I noticed the AC compressor bolt was incorrect and alternator bolt,the car sounds great,runs fine,but these guys are shade tree mechanics that charge dealership prices,but they work on a lot of old race cars,so they know engines,but have know idea with looks and details.needless to say they want be seeing me know more.

 

Just wanted to follow up on this comment. Last time I looked, the Hedman side exit headers, made for the C3 factory 1969 side exhaust, were no longer available. However, Summit did still have them in stock. Don't know what their availability is today, but they were very inexpensive. Less than $200 dollars. These headers had slightly unequal length tubes which gives them a somewhat "cosmetic" label. Although made for small blocks (SB) of the 69 era, they fit my ZZ4 more modern SB engine just fine.