Hooker headers

[William C Crites]

I got a set of hooker header/side pipes on my car right now. Had problem with the distrubtor that was in the car so I replaced it with a HEI and ran new 8mm wires. But now I am having problem with sparking out to headers on cylinder 1 & 3. Does anyone know how to mask this spark out. Is there something to put around the spark plug boot to stop this. I know the spark is greater on HEI but I don't know why it would rather jump across .150 instead of the gap on the plug. All other spark plugs are way to far away to be a problem. Any suggestion. I didn't want to beat the headers in anymore then has been done previously.

69 Corvette Conv 427/390.

Thanks,
Bill

[David B.]

Re: Hooker headers

Bill,

May I suggest a simple test for your engine grounding path. It may be that your exhaust is better grounded than your block? I used to have Hookers on my 69 before switching back to cast manifolds and recall that they are bolted directly to the frame holes with the header bolts in 4 locations - making a very nice grounding path. If its better than your battery cable to starter connection, it MIGHT be an issue. I suggest that you use a jumper cable to ground the engine temporarily and see if the problem goes away. If it does, then try cleaning up any surfaces between the neg ground back to the battery.

Also, I had sparks jumping everywhere with a set of "NOS" shielded cable when I first installed them. You could see it in the dark. Got rid of them and went with a good set of 8mm wires and it took care of it. I don't have HEI though. But I do have a 40,000 volt Pertronics II system on it with no problems now.

Dave

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Hooker headers

Sometimes you see the wires run through a ceramic or asbestos type protective sleeve when installed with headers.

[William C Crites]

Re: Hooker headers

Thanks I wil try that only about $30 for 8. I only need 2 but will proably just get full set. Any they come in different colors.