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Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)
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imperial2100
Posted 2018-08-21 7:50 PM (#568801)
Subject: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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I'm at my wits end, I cannot change the spark plugs on this car. I can pull the wire boot off, I can pull out the spark plug, install the new spark plug, but I cannot install the wire boot back on the plug because it is so deep down that little hole(tube) in the headers. I have been at this for 4 hours now and I've managed to change three spark plugs, with 2 of the hours solely on the 4th plug on the driver side near the firewall.

That evil wire boot will simply not go on the spark plug. I've tried using screwdrivers, long pliers, two screwdrivers, nothing works. It needs a certain amount of force to make it seat onto the plug and there is no way that I've found to get that direct downward force that far down in a small hole. Using a screwdriver the boot just wants to roll to the side, pliers are nearly impossible to fit in that little thing, and I don't want to crush the wire.

Either someone built a tool specifically for these types of engines that I need to find, or I have to assume they simply threw out the engines when spark plugs went bad out of complete frustration. Please someone share your wisdom with me and tell me there is some magical tool that I can use to save my sanity on this.

Sorry about the frustrating tone of this post, but after 4 hours of fiddling in a little 1 inch wide hole will drive you nuts.
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rebel
Posted 2018-08-21 8:41 PM (#568802 - in reply to #568801)
Subject: RE: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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It sounds like you have the wrong plug wires and/or boots. The plug wires should have a ceramic or hard plastic type boot that is almost 5 inches long. Taylor products makes a nice set or you can get them from Hot Hemi Heads. Probably many other sources.
Bob
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imperial2100
Posted 2018-08-21 8:53 PM (#568803 - in reply to #568802)
Subject: RE: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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Thanks, I'll look for a better set of wires. That should make things much easier.
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57chizler
Posted 2018-08-22 3:34 PM (#568854 - in reply to #568803)
Subject: RE: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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This is what you need.



(Hemi.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Hemi.jpg (95KB - 163 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-08-22 3:46 PM (#568855 - in reply to #568854)
Subject: RE: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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57chizler - 2018-08-22 3:34 PM
This is what you need.


Agree. I bought my set at the Mopar Mall:

http://www.moparmall.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=hemi+spark+plug+w...

http://www.moparmall.com/MoPar-1450091-1752311-Hemi-Spark-Plug-Wire...



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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-08-22 4:02 PM (#568857 - in reply to #568801)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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rofl mopar mall, most everything is 300$... eh just mark it up to 500$ well see if some sucker buys it

hot heads are 100$ and better stuff. No interference. modern insulation

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56D500boy
Posted 2018-08-22 4:51 PM (#568861 - in reply to #568857)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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mikes2nd - 2018-08-22 4:02 PM
rofl mopar mall, most everything is 300$... eh just mark it up to 500$ well see if some sucker buys it
hot heads are 100$ and better stuff. No interference. modern insulation


Not try to argue, BUT for these wires:

Mopar Mall: "Our Price: $137.88"

Hot Hemi Heads: $100 = kit, doesn't look correct for an early hemi
http://www.hothemiheads.com/dodge/ignition_system/spark_plug_wires....

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wayfarer
Posted 2018-08-24 10:32 AM (#568950 - in reply to #568801)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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Another considration is to have a plug boot removal tool ala 426 Hemi. This tool can also help push a 'normal' boot onto the plug.
I highly recommend the use of some dielectric grease inside the boot.

http://www.manciniracing.com/sparplugwirr1.html

Edited by wayfarer 2018-08-24 10:33 AM
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-08-24 11:50 PM (#568980 - in reply to #568801)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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you can kinda make a similar tool also. just take some sheet metal and a grinder.

Got to get the right plug wires though.

these accel wires supposudly fit. they are the "extra long" kit

https://www.amazon.com/ACCEL-5040R-Super-Spiral-Universal/dp/B000BWD...

rock auto lists... for 22$

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1036252&cc=1327924&jsn=3...

cant believe it fits but hey... i havent put the accel wires on yet but im trying that




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imperial2100
Posted 2018-08-25 8:34 PM (#569008 - in reply to #568980)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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mikes2nd - 2018-08-25 12:50 AM

you can kinda make a similar tool also. just take some sheet metal and a grinder.

Got to get the right plug wires though.

these accel wires supposudly fit. they are the "extra long" kit

https://www.amazon.com/ACCEL-5040R-Super-Spiral-Universal/dp/B000BWD...

rock auto lists... for 22$

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1036252&cc=1327924&jsn=3...

cant believe it fits but hey... i havent put the accel wires on yet but im trying that

These are both similar to what I have now. The somewhat long boots are not very stiff and are no where long enough to push on from the top of the tube on the hemi. They just bend over whenever you push on them. The Accel ones on amazon, do you know if they are stiff?

Edited by imperial2100 2018-08-25 8:36 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-08-25 9:24 PM (#569009 - in reply to #569008)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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imperial2100 - 2018-08-25 8:34 PM
These are both similar to what I have now. The somewhat long boots are not very stiff and are no where long enough to push on from the top of the tube on the hemi. They just bend over whenever you push on them. The Accel ones on amazon, do you know if they are stiff?


Dude: As I suggested before, you want these ones from MoparMall. That tube is the OE method of getting the wire onto the top of the spark plug. The OE tubes were ceramic but the plastic aftermarket ones work just as well.

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imperial2100
Posted 2018-08-25 9:31 PM (#569010 - in reply to #569009)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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56D500boy - 2018-08-25 10:24 PM

imperial2100 - 2018-08-25 8:34 PM
These are both similar to what I have now. The somewhat long boots are not very stiff and are no where long enough to push on from the top of the tube on the hemi. They just bend over whenever you push on them. The Accel ones on amazon, do you know if they are stiff?


Dude: As I suggested before, you want these ones from MoparMall. That tube is the OE method of getting the wire onto the top of the spark plug. The OE tubes were ceramic but the plastic aftermarket ones work just as well.

Yes, when I order a set, will order these as they appear to be hard plastic boots instead of rubber - thanks for recommending them! Was just responding to mikes2nd post with the cheaper options.

Edited by imperial2100 2018-08-25 9:33 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-08-25 10:25 PM (#569011 - in reply to #569010)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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imperial2100 - 2018-08-25 9:31 PM
Yes, when I order a set, will order these as they appear to be hard plastic boots instead of rubber - thanks for recommending them! Was just responding to mikes2nd post with the cheaper options.


What good is a $100 set or even $22 set if they don't work? My car came with one of those types of aftermarket wire sets, not made for the older hemis, and, as you found out, it is/was next to impossible to get the wires back on the plugs. After getting cursed by an old-school mechanic (when I took the car to him to get it started after 20 years), I ordered the MoparMall set. Yes, the boots are hard plastic and long enough to guide and reach the top of the spark plugs and then connect the wires to the plugs. Now even I can remove and re-install the wires, if/when needed,




Edited by 56D500boy 2018-08-25 10:26 PM
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-08-26 1:26 AM (#569017 - in reply to #568801)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)


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okay, all these other sets are impossible to put on the spark plugs

cmon really?
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-08-26 1:36 AM (#569019 - in reply to #569017)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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mikes2nd - 2018-08-26 1:26 AM

okay, all these other sets are impossible to put on the spark plugs
cmon really? :)


I never said impossible

56D500boy - 2018-08-25 10:25 PM My car came with one of those types of aftermarket wire sets, not made for the older hemis, and, as you found out, it is/was next to impossible to get the wires back on the plugs. After getting cursed by an old-school mechanic (when I took the car to him to get it started after 20 years), I ordered the MoparMall set. Yes, the boots are hard plastic and long enough to guide and reach the top of the spark plugs and then connect the wires to the plugs. Now even I can remove and re-install the wires, if/when needed,



You can up the odds of getting those incorrect aftermarket, non-hemi, spark plug wires and boots on the plugs if you have something like this:



Edited by 56D500boy 2018-08-26 1:37 AM
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Mopar1
Posted 2018-08-26 9:34 AM (#569028 - in reply to #569019)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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I have been using a slightly opened up spark plug wire puller since the 90s. Works great. Have used generic straight boot Accel or Mallory wire the whole time.
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Mopar1
Posted 2018-08-27 11:34 AM (#569092 - in reply to #568801)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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Could also look at Atlas Obsolete.
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-08-27 11:42 AM (#569093 - in reply to #569092)
Subject: Re: Spark Plug Boots on a 57 Imperial (392 hemi)



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Mopar1 - 2018-08-27 11:34 AM
Could also look at Atlas Obsolete.


Atlas Obsolete = Mopar Mall (Same people, same location, same stuff)

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