I have an AccelŽ SuperCoil (47K volts) & 8mm wires.

I took a set of R43TS AC-Delco plugs, and cut the ground electrode back to the edge of the center electrode. Left the original gapping alone @ .035.

I installed them in my car, and my idle went from semi-smooth (with my fouled Autolites) to rough and shaking with my cut back AC-Delcos. I figured this would happen, and should of left well enough alone.

I had to drive the car about 15 miles today...it runs, but rough obviously. I can't get around to putting in new plugs till later this week.
My question is:
Can I cause any serious engine damage, by just driving it a couple miles? What's the worst that can happen from running the engine?

Thanks for the help-

 

I doubt cutting back the electrodes on you spark plugs caused your car to run rough. You may have a loose/bad plug wire or you may have cracked a plug in the process of installation.
I have cut back 3 sets of plugs in the past couple years for my IROC and never had any problems.

 

In some areas on the wires I could tell where it had gotten hot, but didn't burn through...on two plugs wires, I pulled the boot & connector right off the wire. I crimped them back on though.

Do you think I should buy some nice MSD wires and looms, before I pull the plugs out?

 

If you're pulling the boots and ends off the wires I wouldn't think twice about replacing them. I would think that is what is causing your problem.

 

Ok, thanks for your advice.
I'll look at those low resistence MSD wires...depending on how much the crimp tool is, I may buy the "cut to fit" kit.
Do you, or anyone else know if right-angle boots fit with stock exhaust manifolds? (In case I need to buy pre-fabbed MSD wires)

 

The MSD Cut to fit wires come with the crimp tool! I finished mine last week and theyre AWSOME wires.

Summit P/N: MSD-31229
90* boots, HEI, Red, Cut to fit.
$69.95

 

Cool! Do you run headers? I don't, so I'm not sure if 90* boots will work with my stock manifolds...what do you think since we're both running the same engine? Or does anyone have some input here?

 

OK, so three people think I'm dumb....but how many know if right angle boots will work with stock manifolds? Or do I specifically need straight boots with stock manifolds?

 

::::::::::::::::::::UPDATE:::::::::::::::::::::::::


I changed the old plug wires with a factory replacement set of 8mm wires. It made a noticable difference in park @ idle and higher RPMs....but still did not fix the issue.
So, I've come to the conclusion that I did cut the electrodes back too far.
I've got the answer to my other question, since I changed my own plug wires for the first time & no-one else would say sh*t & help me out.......right-angle boots will work on all cylinders with stock exhaust manifold. Had I known this earlier, I would have bought a set of MSD spiro-coreŽ wires instead of a factory set.
Later, when I take the plugs out I'll post a picture of them in this thread.

 

Dude...I voted that you should buy a Honda...

Don't cut the electrodes...simply install them and the rest of the tune-up and be on your merry way...

HTH,

 

Hehe...I thought more people would have actually voted me to get a Honda & become the R!cer poster boy

Yeah, as far as the electrodes are concerned- it looks like I learned the hard way. I was going for more gas mileage, not necessarily more HP though. At $1.70+ a gal. I'll take every little bit of gas mileage I can! Since I know modding for HP has already been covered here, I'm now wanting to look into: Modding for gas mileage....and see what turns up.