Hedman Shorty\'s vs. Patriot Patriot \'\'Clippster\'\' Style Headers

[S10gator]

I\'ve been using the Hedman Shorty\'s since building my S10. Had them coated and they still look good. The problem I\'m having is the #3 spark plug boot getting too hot, creating a soft spot in the boot and eventually allows the spark to jump to the header pipe. I\'ve wrapped that area but the boot still gets too hot and fails eventually. Does anyone know if the Patriot \'\'Clippster\'\' Style Headers provide more clearance on the #3 plug boot? Stock heads stright plug using the 90 deg boots.



TIA



S10Gator

[Truckman91]

Before going through that big expence ans lots of work on top of it, I would give these a try...



www.designengineering.com/products.asp?m=sp&pid=22 (http://www.designengineering.com/products.asp?m=sp&pid=22)



Here is the part number to order them from Summit. Its worth $20 to save hastle and having to buy new headers and have them coated, I think.



DEI-010511 Protect-A-Boot, Spark Plug Boot Heat Shields, 6 in. Long, Black, Pair

Today $19.95

[wild85]

with coated headers I don\'t see how you are burning boots. I have stock heads 882\'s with cheap headmans and 90 degree boots without header coating and am fine. That is weird.

[S10gator]

Thanks guys...I\'ve used the shields, but with the tight area they just transfer the heat right to the boot. I\'m thinking my set of headers were made with too little bend in the #3 plug area.

[Scotty_S-15]

What kind of plug wires? Believe it or not, sometimes the \"better\" wires have \"mega\" boots, and are too fat for their own good. I use the cheapie $30 Accel wires, never a problem.

......... If all else fails, you might consider a little spacer plate between header and head..... or Patriot headers! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[Indiana]

I bought some of the high temp wires. They are good up to 300 degrees F. I am not sure the boots are rated the same, but they do a good job.

[gdmclnh]

I use the cheapy Accel wires with the boots you showed above. Seems to work Ok. If I don\'t keep the timing advanced at idle the headers will be really hot and cook the boots even with the insulators on.

[Scotty_S-15]

On 2004-12-10 22:25, gdmclnh wrote:

I use the cheapy Accel wires with the boots you showed above. Seems to work Ok. If I don\'t keep the timing advanced at idle the headers will be really hot and cook the boots even with the insulators on.



Interesting point...... Maybe S10gator (and a lot of us?) has some issues with exhaust temps too high, either at idle or cruising... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif

[ZR1BLAZER]

jacobs ignitions makes plug wires with porcelen boots at the spark plug side. pretty expensive. i am using the MSD 8.5mm super conductors with 90 degree boots and i was having the same problem. wires touching the headers in the same spot. i recently put on a set of patriots and they have plenty of clearance. beleve it or not they sit a little lower on the pass. side too i dont have to beat in the fire wall near as much as i would have with the headman. i still have to go back and do that. i didnt know ahead of time.

[ChevyKiD_69]

have you ever tried using the accel shorty header plugs on your truck? I have never tried them but twiztedmods has and his have been doin ok

[wild85]

I have used them and they work better.champion makes one like that also.

[ZR1BLAZER]

thats what i use as well. accel header plugs.

[stroker1]

I am using Autolite 24\'s gapped at .050\" They are a shorter, colder plug but not as short as the Accell header plugs. They helped some on the #3 problem, but I\'m still roasting boots too. I don\'t know the heat ranges available on the Accell plugs, and what they cross over with, but I\'m thinking of trying them myself. I\'m just before having a hammer attack on the header pipe. FYI I\'m also using the Headman\'s. Got them cheap in a parts truck deal.

[s10rodder]

I had the same problem forever and finally solved it with some new boots MSD came out with. I got them through jegs, but they had to be special ordered. You can find the part number on MSD\'s web site. They are much smaller and more compact than the standard boots that come with the 8.5 super conductor wires and they have an aluminum shield bonded to the boot. Used those along with some ceramic braided boot insulators and I haven\'t burnt one since.

[bigseth]

If you are using the Accel 300 wires, the boots on those wires are very weak. I worked at advance auto for 7 yrs and almost every set of those wires I sold came back for at least one or more boots melting or getting soft spots on them. Try using the boots fromthe cheaper wires, belive it or not there better.

[jrws6]

try getting some factory aluminum heat shields, that go over the 90 then modify them to fit i used the ones off a 96 firebird with a v6.

[S10gator]

Looking over the header shorty plug option. I\'m using AC R45TS these perform well - Accel has a regualr length plug that claims to match. Their shorty plug is not an exact match in heat range. What Accel plugs are those that use them using?



here\'s the break down:



Match for R45TS - Accel

111-274 Standard Race Plug, .035\'\' Nomial Gap, Each



Shorty plug listed with heat range close:

111-276S Shorty Race Plug, .035\'\' Nomial Gap, Each



S10Gator

[jayg1945]

I posted a reply on another header thread and was having a brainfart while I wrote it. Here\'s the right info, from my experience. If you\'re NOT using angle plug heads, Accel shorty plugs and aluminized wire boot covers should work with Hedman shorty headers. I\'m not under the hood right now so I can\'t remember which specifically, but I used straight plug boots on some plugs, and 90 degree boots on the others. You\'ll be able to tell by comparing one way with the other. The shorty plugs are essential. This worked fine for me until I put a set of iron 2.02 angle plug heads on. Now I\'m going to take the left side header off and have the local muffler guy reshape the no. 1 tube to clear no. 3 and 5 spark plugs. I have not found anyone who makes a header that works on small block angle plug heads. In fact, it was a guy a Sanderson that suggested I pull the left side header off and have the muffler shop redo the no. 1 tube. Hope this helps.