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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 7 | I have a Chevy 350 in my 49 panel. The spark plug boots are so close to the headers that two of them melt about every 400 miles. Are there any boots, wires or what ever to fix this?
Any help will be appreciated.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 | Check summit for the plug wire boots. They're a little pricey or even get the plug wire spreaders from the local auto store. I use the spreaders, you just have to fiddle with em a little to make sure they'll stay put. I also used zip ties as holders and spreaders. I'll try to find a part number.
I can explain it to you, I can't understand it for you.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,761 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,761 | Four words- - - -Cast Iron Exhaust Manifolds
It's the quickest, simplest fix for plug wire damage from headers. Unless you're running full throttle most of the time, headers are nothing but eye candy. Burned wires are the price you pay for looking cool under the hood.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 | I agree Lincoln, but cool is in my man.
Protect a boot - dei#186-010552 $65.00
Accel wire seporator - accel#110-170031 $6.00
These are from my jegs catalog. And I run w.o.t. as often as possible.
Me = young whippersnapper.
I can explain it to you, I can't understand it for you.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,761 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,761 | Another approach is running Accel short-insulator spark plugs and 90 degree plug boots with the wires zip-tied together pointing away from the header tubes. Been there, done that, until a few of my customers got over their stupid attack and went back to manifolds.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 | Ahahaha stupid attack! Lincoln you are great. Headers really are a p.i.t.a. I even run double gaskets because in was sick of the leaks. Went old school on em. Are you running block huggers or full length?
I can explain it to you, I can't understand it for you.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | sometimes headers are a "necessary evil", no kewl factor involved, just attention to detail Bill | | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 215 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 215 | You want a header and cast iron on your SBC? Check out Speedway's Tru-Ram headers. They leave lots of room!
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tru-Ram-Small-Block-Chevy-Exhaust-Manifolds-Cast-Iron,3823.html
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 | I've learned via the school of hard knocks that running good quality headers, plug wires and wire looms will eliminate the PITA problems folks experience.
This is yet another case of you get what you pay for.
Sanderson and Hooker Super Comp.'s are examples of well designed, engineered and manufactured headers.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 | I've run hooker super comps on my 64 and 65. Only reason I've ever burned a wire was I made it a tad too long. I still used the separators and the zip tie method.
I can explain it to you, I can't understand it for you.
| | | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 | I have had good success with the DEI Asbestos sleeves over the problem areas. - solved the issue. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 7 | Thank you all for the great information. After a little over 400 miles the Protecto boots seem to be working just fine. I am saving my loose change for a set of the Accel short insulated spark plugs. Then maybe some really nice cast iron headers this winter on my Christmas list.
Thanks again!
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