Latest from the old '82: After replacing my leaking power steering hoses, I cranked her up to road test.  Once I got in fourth and tried to roll on power (all of my mighty 200 horses!), the engine bucked and missed.  Since the torque converter was locked up, it really shook the Vette.

While pulling into the garage for the night, I heard the tell-tale "tick-tick-tick" of spark plug wire arcing.  Sure enough, the spark plug boot on one of the high-tempurature wires I installed last year was roached from the heat of the header collector at number 5 cylinder.  It was so dried out that the conductor was exposed, and I could see the arc jumping straight to the header even in daylight (the next day) from under the car with the engine running and the hood raised. 

I got a cheap set of wires (because they were available a block from my house, and they can't do any worse), and I wrapped the spark plug boot in several layers of tin foil for some heat protection.

Now I see the wisdom of leaving those stupid-looking heat shields between the headers and the spark plugs.  They came off with the heat riser.  I'm going to try to leave it like this, though, because I really appreciate the cleaner look under the hood.  I've removed so much cluttery 1982 slap-on technology junk that I can actually see my engine.  I like that.

Moral of the story: high-temp spark plug wires don't actually stand up to the heat immediately beside headers.  Rubber is still rubber, even if it is thicker rubber.  Someone should market a set of AFFORDABLE wires that are actually heat-shielded.  It shouldn't be rocket science.  Just coat them in production with something that reflects heat, like my tin-foil idea, only permanent.

(Man, if this catches on, there could be a whole slew of new tin coated products.  Then I can wear something more comfortable at night.)

I actually have a cure for your problem. I purchased some really cool aluminium wire looms that lay along the valve covers. The wires drop out right above the plugs and can't get anywhere close to the headers.

I checked and my engine pics don't show them very well. I will get some pics Tuesday and post them up for you to see.

Here is the best pic I have and the wire loom is just ever so faintly seen on the left hand side of the pic. Hurry and look before Norsky catches me..... LOL

Tuxblacray2007-11-19 20:01:57

Thanks, man, I look forward to it.  There's a whole world of automobile for me to learn about even as I learn about my Vette.  At least I have a lifetime of experience-building tinkering to look forward to since I have an '82.  But I am really enjoying it.  I don't even cuss when I drop a tool into a tight space.  Imagine that.  Hiccups make me really angry because they belt me, like a deep spasm, but working on my baby, well, that's just....a delight.

Alright I went out and took a couple more shots. I have to tell you that I would starve as a Camera Man!!! Of the two shots 1 is fairly decent. The other I couldn't keep the glare down off of the valves covers. Anyway this should give you the idea.

Tuxblacray2007-11-20 17:40:24

Be sure and keep your day job. I'm still seeing spots off your flash way over here in Missouri

Sound like you only need one...

[QUOTE=KOPBET]Sound like you only need one... [/QUOTE]