alright i recently baught a 87 trans am and it has headers with torker intake eletric fan lets just say theres alot done to the engine and im pretty new at this and i noticed last nite one of my spark plug wires arcing out on my headers so i waited till the morning to check and out and notice that the headers are geting so hot there melting my wires so i tryed to zip tie them in a way that they wouldnt be to close to the headers but i till think there getting a little hot so i was wondering if there was something i could put on the wires to help keep the wires for getting to hot.

 

That is completely normal for uncoated headers to be hot enough to cook wires that touch them.

You have to route the wires in a a way in which they cannot come in contact with the headers.

 

They make sleeves/covers for plug wires that may help, but you should be able to route and mount them in such a way they dont get close enough to burn for just about every manufactured header I've seen for these cars. May be as simple as that, or buying a nice spark plug wire loom/mount setup for your car.

 

what would be the best wires for these cars its a 1970 4 bolt main and what plugs should i use and were can i buy those sleeves

 

Just about any auto parts store sells the sleeves on the shelf - look in the 'old school' section where the shiny chrome valve covers are. But they are expensive. Money would be better spent on a good wire seperator bracket first, then if you still need the sleeves you can get them.

Plugs depends on the motor kinda - I happen to have dome-top pistons, and so I have to run Accel Shorties (they don't have as long of threads, so they go in shorter to avoid hitting the piston). Otherwise, nothing beats a good standard set of AC/Delco plugs.

 

I would get some wire looms. I think they are the best way to make sure the wires never touch the headers. Heres mine.

 

The wire sleeves are a better move because just not touching the tube is not enough to prevent damage with uncoated headers. I have been running the sleeves for years with no burnt or melted wires. Jegs has them for around $50.

 

Really? I've never had any noticeable problems with bottom barrel wires from Autozone other then having to exchange 2 wires for 90' booted during install. Mine are ghetto routed with zip-ties on one side and used the factory loom on the other, it's just hanging from the brake booster vacuum line. It's been that way for years.

There's no hood insulation so it could be helping. YMMV

 

Not all headers are the same but if he is having melting issues the way to go is insulate them.

I have a glass hood with a big opening in the back so the hood probably has little to do with it.

 

Yeah I'm not saying it's wrong just that it hasn't been a problem for me.

If his burned and arching on the headers I'm thinking they are just too close.

The first day the headers were on my Z28 I nearly cut a wire in half burning it with the header.

 

The first time I took my rebuilt engine on the highway for a several hour drive I cooked several plug boots that seemed to have sufficient clearance between the tube and them. Since that day I dont take any chances with the plug wires.

 

i think the sleeves would be a good idea and i have zip tied off the wire away from my headers there no were close to touching but there still getting really hot the guy i bought it from it looks like he wrap fiber glass sheets around my headers does this do anything?

 

Use looms, or looms and socks



Never burned a wire with my $20 spectre looms