| Author | Message | ||
     Cliff Biggs New User Username: cliffy Post Number: 19 Registered: 09-2021 |
As I move through everything on this 86 Spirit one of my next items is spark plugs. In just doing a little checking today I find that the plug wires seem to be frozen to the plug tops. Not the boots but the wire electrode connection to the spark plug top. Any tricks to use before I break a lead off of the top of a plug? Any RR inside info on these? I tried "search" and didn't find anything like this Thanks for any help or ideas | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 3277 Registered: 06-2009 |
Cliff, I've never seen something like this myself. And to prevent such from happening I'd certainly be applying electrically conductive grease to the contacts inside each boot when the time comes to put everything back together with the new plugs. Two options, and there are others: Sanchem NoOxID A-Special Gardner-Bender Ox-Gard For some years now any time I have to deal with any electrical connection I mechanically clean them where that's practical, chemically clean them where it's not (e.g., Caig Deoxit spray), and before putting them back together applying Sanchem NoOxID grease. I have yet to need to revisit a connection so treated. Brian | ||
| Cliff Biggs New User Username: cliffy Post Number: 20 Registered: 09-2021 |
Thanks I might be able to get them loose with 90 degree needle nose pliers Will try this weekend. | ||
| Robert J. Sprauer Frequent User Username: wraithman Post Number: 768 Registered: 11-2017 |
I have a rod with a 90 degree bend at the end essentially creating a 1/4" hook to facilitate pulling the boot off the plug. Work it around the boot edge and it will come off. Also swab the internal boot with light oil to slide the plug wire back on. It's important to hear the click knowing the conductor is on the tip of the plug. I recently changed the plug wires on a 76 here with Magnecor. | ||
| Cliff Biggs New User Username: cliffy Post Number: 22 Registered: 09-2021 |
Unfortunately its not the boot that is the problem. The electrical connector on the plug is frozen in place | ||
| Robert J. Sprauer Frequent User Username: wraithman Post Number: 769 Registered: 11-2017 |
wow..never seen that. Something tells me they have not been touched in a long time. Best bet may be a 90 deg needle nose pliers to twist and pull and break the corrosion, if in fact it's the corrosion that is causing the issue. Weird. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 3279 Registered: 06-2009 |
My gut is telling me this is corrosion of some sort, too. If aluminum is involved, along with a humid/wet environment (salt air would be an added bonus to speed this up) you can get corrosion over time. I agree this is weird. This is one of the reasons I've become such a cheerleader for electrically conductive grease. It's used (sparingly, in general) in very challenging environments to prevent corrosion over long periods of time. Brian | ||
| Cliff Biggs New User Username: cliffy Post Number: 23 Registered: 09-2021 |
This was always a Los Angeles car but very few miles in its 35 years that's why I'm going through everything as I don't think it has been touched in 10 years or so. All fluids are being replaced among other items. Plugs are being replaced When I get them loose :-) The car though is in remarkable shape overall. | ||
| Cliff Biggs New User Username: cliffy Post Number: 31 Registered: 09-2021 |
Got them loose without breaking any :-) Old plugs replaced with NGK GR4ixs and a new ignition harness (NGK big block Corvette) What a difference in smoothness :-) Lots better mileage also |
