Spark plug wire boot.

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member
I'm having a lot of problems with the ends of the spark plug wires burning up from the heat of the exhaust manifold. A new set of wires will only last me six months. How much will a boot like this help?
cvphoto36448.jpg
 
Those are used on commercial kitchen equipment. The only problem is if they get wet the spark can get shorted out. Other than that they do work. The rubber stays nice with those covers. In the ovens, that high temp rubber breaks down and crumbles without those covers.
 
If the wire is in contact with the manifold, nothing can withstand that.

If buying them from the auto supply, see if they will warranty them and upgrade to OEM.

How is it running? If there is a problem with the initial spark timing (if adjustable) or for some reason the computer is not keeping the timing where it should (as in running retarded) the exhaust will run exceptionally hot.
 
The plug wires are not in contact with the manifold but there is only about 1/2" clearance. I think they are just too close is the problem. The engine runs fine until a hole develops on a spark plug wire where it arc's to the manifold. I don't know if an OEM wire is available. The Van I'm having trouble with is 26 years old. I've had the van 10 years and have been having to change the wires every six months or so since I've had it. I've got an old Oldsmobile which has got a heat shield you slip over the spark plug wires and got to thinking there should be something available for the van. I found the boots online and wondered how well they work.
 
(quoted from post at 17:52:41 09/14/19) I'm having a lot of problems with the ends of the spark plug wires burning up from the heat of the exhaust manifold. A new set of wires will only last me six months. How much will a boot like this help?
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto36448.jpg">
I've used something like that on a race car with headers. Worked very well.
 
The problem is the design of the headers, they're not stock.
Different headers might be designed different.
 
Did you ever put a timing light on it after the rebuild?

I don't recall wire burning being a common issue on the Chevys of that era, but I can see being a van it would have higher underhood heat.

The insulating sleeves might help, never tried them.

Might try someplace like Jegs, see if they have high heat wires for use with headers.
 
It was very difficult to do but I did check the timing after the rebuild and it was fine. Between all the hoses and wires there is a cavity about 3/4" in diameter to see the timing mark. I think if I hadn't cleaned the harmonic balancer and paint the mark orange I would never be able to see it.

I have some asbestos paper around somewhere but I couldn't find it or I would at least wrap the worst plugs with. The second plug from the back on each side are the worst to burn up.
 
Did you consider the damper can twist on the part goes on crankshaft throwing timing off? Gm will do that. Some chryslers and ford too.automatics will do it morebthan standards unless racing
 

Does it have any type of factor shields "spark plug wire heat shields"

Does it use 90 deg boots at the spark plug, do you have all the factory spark plug wire holders on the cylinder heads...

I can understand the boot getting fried but not the wire itself...
 
There has never been any shield on the spark plug ends of the wires. This is why I was thinking of trying the boot shown in the picture. It has the 90 degrees ends on the wires which I carefully aim away from the manifold and restrain with zip ties.
 

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