misturmoneybags Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Just swapped out my old 305 with a new 350. Problem is, the spark plugs are right up against my JTR headers and it's causing the plugs to heat up and arc. The car runs perfectly when cold, but once those plugs heat up, the engine takes a major hit in power. I have these insulator boots, but they don't seem to do that job. How do you guys route your spark plug wires and how do you deal with heat coming from the headers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 it looks like those headers were designed for angle plug heads, which would provide better clearance angle plug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_w Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 (edited) I had the same problem, it's really a pain with those headers on normal heads. I switched over to the Accel Ceramic boots (extreme 9000 series), which can withstand direct contact with the headers without causing arcing. Even with those, a couple of the boots were very difficult to get on, but my problems went away. Worth the $100 or so bucks. They survived my engine initial startup and break in, where my headers were glowing a nice cherry red, so I think they will last a long time Edited March 23, 2012 by matt_w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misturmoneybags Posted March 24, 2012 Author Share Posted March 24, 2012 Do you think wrapping the headers after getting the ceramic boot plugs would be overkill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_w Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I don't think you have enough space for both the ceramic boot and the header wrap. At least it's that tight for me. Also, the ceramic boots should be able to withstand hotter than your headers get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay260z Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Does your new 350 have Vortec heads on it, I cant tell from the picture? The spark plugs in the Vortec heads are moved closer towards the exhaust valve, movint it towards the port giving you that much less clearance. Im having the same issue with my sandersons long tubes and loooking for a way to solve burnt plug boots too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misturmoneybags Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 Yep, Vortec heads. I'll be ordering the ceramic boots soon. I'll let you all know if that fixes anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_w Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Here is the part # of the kit I ordered: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-9001C/ Looks like the prices have gone up since last year or whenever I got them. Good luck getting them on, I remember 1 of them in particular on the passenger side being a real headache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I had the same issue with the two center sparkplug locations. I too bought the ceramic boot sparkplug wire set. I have AFR 195 heads and I also had to dimple the headers for the boots to fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surpip Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 You might have some luck if you buy the shorty spark plugs form accell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misturmoneybags Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Called up Summit to make sure that I'm buying the right plugs, and apparently the Accel Ceramic plugs wouldn't be right for me. They're all appropriate for HEI distributors and I have an old points style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_w Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Called up Summit to make sure that I'm buying the right plugs, and apparently the Accel Ceramic plugs wouldn't be right for me. They're all appropriate for HEI distributors and I have an old points style. Huh? My kit came with both HEI and standard boots...Maybe you should give Accel a call. I did before I bought mine and they were pretty helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misturmoneybags Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Thanks, Matt! I'll give em a call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvincent Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 I used the aluminum 90 degree spark plug boots from a 95 LT1 Camaro or Firebird (F Body) and they work great and look great after a wire wheel polish. They fit over my Taylor 90 degree wires perfectly. I have the Sanderson Block headers. I am not sure if the B Body LT1 motors use them. Go to the junk yard and grab some, you may have to grab some from more than 1 car as they are not easy to reach. Here is a set on Ebay for less that $20 http://www.ebay.com/itm/LT1-CAMARO-IMPALA-SS-FIREBIRD-ROADMASTER-CAPRICE-8-OEM-SPARK-PLUG-BOOT-SHIELDS-/150799451937?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item231c590721&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1413 Taylor has some metal jackets as well here: http://www.taylorvertex.com/Products/index.cgi/sparkPlugBootHeatProtection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_w Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Gvincent, Were your boots physically touching the headers? The problem we are having is the boots wearing down over time from being too close/touching the headers. Aluminum would make the problem worse, as it conducts heat much better than silicon/ceramic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misturmoneybags Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Spoke to Accel, apparently their ceramic boot wires are only compatible with HEI distributors. Bummer. Good news is that I got my headers dimpled right by the plug heads, and now that I have extra clearance between the headers and the plugs, the car is running great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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