Spark Jumping to Headers

[frank213]

please help me two months ago i was inspecting in the night spark plug leaks when i noticed a blue real small Spark Jumping to the Headers from all 8 sparkplugs mostly from spark plug #1, since 2 months ago i have changed the spark plug wire like 5 times and i still get the same problem...its become real expensive replacing the plug wires, dos any body know what could be cussing this problem... i herd from friends that it could be my head valves cussing the problem if they where not properly adjusted ( i had my push rods replaced like six months ago)

 

[eagleautosports]

5 new sets of wires? I had that problem but I only had to replace it once. My problem was the header heat causing the boot to crack. I got some boot protectors and haven't burned any more wires. Whether or not that would help you, I don't know. I hope you're not getting the cheapo Auto Zone brand wires. Maybe some boots that are the Vari-Angle type would help? That way you can direct the boot itself further away from the header tube.

 

[frank213]

ive replaced them with some msd 4 times and the current one that i have is ford racing. i checked the boot and it looks ok no cracks

 

[frank213]

i dont know if this helps but the spark is not going threw the boot plastic, its going out threw the middle of the boot and the spark plug

 

[eagleautosports]

Might check to make sure the clip inside is actually going over the plug, not beside it inside the boot then. That's real easy to do and might cause this. I've done that but knew it and redid it.

 

[frank213]

I originally checked for that when I notice the problem 2 months ago, I just don’t know what ells to check for

 

[95cobraguy]

make sure the wires are fully seated on the plugs and make sure the plugs are tight in the head.

 

[divit250r]

Make sure the plugs are gapped correctly too, if they're too wide, it may be easier for the spark to jump to the headers.

Scott

 

[frank213]

thanks guys, i changed the spark plugs this weekend. i had the autolite Double Platinum spark plugs for 3 months on the car and changed them for the motorcraft oe style plugs and it fixed the problem......my budy was telling me that platinum spark plugs in a mustang is a real bad idea? is that true

 

[HISSIN50]

thanks guys, i changed the spark plugs this weekend. i had the autolite Double Platinum spark plugs for 3 months on the car and changed them for the motorcraft oe style plugs and it fixed the problem......my budy was telling me that platinum spark plugs in a mustang is a real bad idea? is that true

Yes, plats kinda suck. They don't conduct nearly as well as copper but they do last forever. As a result, spark will try to find an easier path to earth.

EFI 5.0's occasionally have a slightly lower idle with plats, and they can have a cut-out at about 4K RPM.

Good luck.

 

[Black95GTS]

thanks guys, i changed the spark plugs this weekend. i had the autolite Double Platinum spark plugs for 3 months on the car and changed them for the motorcraft oe style plugs and it fixed the problem......my budy was telling me that platinum spark plugs in a mustang is a real bad idea? is that true

My car actually came with platinum spark plugs when I bought it. A thorough tune up was one of the first things that I did along with replace the coil with a 45KV unit.

I noticed a butt dyno improvement when revving it out, which I attributed to the new coil, but the more I think about, it might be from throwing in regular old autolites at .54.

Now, on the other hand, my friend has a Jeep Cherokee that he claimed improved performance wise with the addition of platinum plugs.

Adam

 

[sade04]

EFI 5.0's occasionally have a slightly lower idle with plats, and they can have a cut-out at about 4K RPM.

+1000000 When i got my car it had overgapped bosch platinums....right around 4200rpm the car would fall flat on its face.