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Problems with spark plug wiresq

Old Jul 26, 2008 | 11:29 PM
  #1  
musclecarfan87's Avatar
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From: Moncks Corner, SC
Car: 1992 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 305ci TBI
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Axle/Gears: 2.73
Problems with spark plug wiresq

Does anyone else have a problem with spark plug wires melting with stock exhaust manifolds? I bought the car about a month or two ago, and its already going on its second or third set of wires... Is there supposed to be wire holders that aren't there? Its a bone-stock 1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS, 305 Auto. I bought some Accel wire holders, but they don't help very much.... The problem is worse on the drivers side (when I got the car, one wire on the drivers side was completely melted in half).

Any help would be appreciated.
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Old Jul 26, 2008 | 11:33 PM
  #2  
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From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
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Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Are you running your wires over the manifolds, or under them?
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 12:52 AM
  #3  
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Engine: 357 vortec finished. need tuning
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Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

When my 1992 RS was stock, never had any issues with spark plug wires melting in their stock location. You may want to try using a different set of wire loom, get some heat shield made for plug wires or a combination of both. I currently have my plugs above my slp headers. Have not burned 1 yet.
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 08:36 AM
  #4  
musclecarfan87's Avatar
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From: Moncks Corner, SC
Car: 1992 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 305ci TBI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto w/ OD
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Originally Posted by Apeiron
Are you running your wires over the manifolds, or under them?

Right now they are ran over the manifolds. Sorry it took so long to reply... We are currently in the process of moving, and are staying with my wife's family......

I was thinking of making some, but I wanted some other opinions before I did anything.
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 08:44 AM
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Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 383 SBC/HSR
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Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

If I remember my old manifolds, shouldn't some of the wires run underneath???
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 12:12 PM
  #6  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: 86Z/92 RS Camaro
Engine: 357 vortec finished. need tuning
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Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Yes, stock cars had some underneath the exh. manifold
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 01:12 PM
  #7  
musclecarfan87's Avatar
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From: Moncks Corner, SC
Car: 1992 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 305ci TBI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto w/ OD
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

I plan to swap to a 350 with headers before too long, I'm just tired of my car running like crap bc the wires keep working their way to the manifold. A guy I work with has a 91 RS, and he said that his mechanic fixed his from doing it... I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow.....

Will the stock wire lengths run underneath the manifolds? They seem a little short.... Unless the auto parts store gave me the wrong wires.....
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 01:18 PM
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From: Austin TX
Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 383 SBC/HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Do you still have your heat shields on the stock manifolds? Those definately help keep the wires from touching the pipes.

The stock wires are cut in lengths to run a certain way to each cylinder. You would need custom wires to run them any differently.
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Old Jul 31, 2008 | 05:11 AM
  #9  
musclecarfan87's Avatar
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From: Moncks Corner, SC
Car: 1992 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 305ci TBI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto w/ OD
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

No, there are no heat shields on there. When I bought the car, it ran like complete crap, and after the first week I found one of the wires on the drivers side had melted completely in half. It is also extremely hot in the engine bay while its running, like the air isn't moving through it. Do these cars normally run that hot?
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Old Jul 31, 2008 | 06:28 AM
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Car: '81 Z-28
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Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Just for a quick fix until you get the headers you can use zip-strips to tie them up. put one around all 4 wires to that side, and then another between each wire and around the first zip-srtip. It will help keep even spacing. Then just use a couple more to get the wires to stay in a safe spot.
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Old Jul 31, 2008 | 06:52 AM
  #11  
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From: Austin TX
Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 383 SBC/HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Yep, I use zip ties on my wires. You can get creative with them and set them up to look and work just like a wire loom.
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Old Jul 31, 2008 | 11:28 AM
  #12  
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Car: 89 Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
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Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Try these from Ecklers.com, I used them for my 89 TPI. You should have two post on the drivers side on one on the passenger side. Look around the engine compartment and you should see them, kinda flat post that these things slid on to. I'm not sure about 92 TBI but I assume the wires should be routed the same.


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Old Jul 31, 2008 | 12:55 PM
  #13  
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Originally Posted by musclecarfan87
Does anyone else have a problem with spark plug wires melting with stock exhaust manifolds? I bought the car about a month or two ago, and its already going on its second or third set of wires... Is there supposed to be wire holders that aren't there? Its a bone-stock 1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS, 305 Auto. I bought some Accel wire holders, but they don't help very much.... The problem is worse on the drivers side (when I got the car, one wire on the drivers side was completely melted in half).

Any help would be appreciated.
I had the same problem when I bought my Camaro even with wire looms...what brand of wires are you purchasing? Don't get the cheap ones for like $20, go the extra money and get the ones that are closer to $50-75. I believe I bought the Bosch from AutoZone and they were the first ones not to melt. They have a lifetime warranty on them also, so if they burn out...take them off and get new set for free...or buy a new set, change one at the time (smarter to not get them confused) and then take old ones back and get money back...they do it either way with their warranty system.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:44 AM
  #14  
musclecarfan87's Avatar
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From: Moncks Corner, SC
Car: 1992 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 305ci TBI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto w/ OD
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Problems with spark plug wiresq

Doc221978 and Heat Seeker, do either of you have pics of how you have yours tied up? Might be a cost-effective way to cure the problem until I do my engine swap.

kozman, I do have the posts for the holders, so I might have to look into that...

ashley51071, I'm using the $35 wires from AutoZone (I forget the name brand at the moment), but for my next set, I'm going with MSD or Accel wires.

Thank you all for your input.
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