Spark plug boots

[Jim S.]

Just recieved my AC Delco 508N plug wires , and as feared they have the red boots.

A spin through the archives shows me I can build my own , but doesn't tell me if I can convert the ones I have. Can I just replace the red boots with black ones ? If so, how ,and where to obtain them.

Thanks

Jim

[Wayne M.]

Re: Spark plug boots

Just recieved my AC Delco 508N plug wires , and as feared they have the red boots.

A spin through the archives shows me I can build my own , but doesn't tell me if I can convert the ones I have. Can I just replace the red boots with black ones ? If so, how ,and where to obtain them....

Jim --- I'm a bit confused as I am not familiar with the Delco 508N designation. Are these a small block or a big block set ? Distributor end or spark plug end ?

I'm guessing that these are BB at the spark plug end. If so, you should be able to gently slide off the red/orange boots, and replace with the black (??) [I think, gray, with the long boots would be acceptable for judging].

[Jim S.]

Re: Spark plug boots

High Wayne,

The 508N wires are the ones for a small block that you can still get from GM.
They are supposedly A very good set and of the proper length. They do however come with a red spark plug Boot.

So my question is really only in two parts, as I don't care if I have to cut up the red boot:

1. Can I install black boots on them myself , or are they machine pressed on ,or heated on ,or whatever at the Factory

2. Where can I aquire just black spark plug boots, if the answer to the first question is Yes .

JIm

[Paul L.]

Re: Spark plug boots

Jim,
I just pulled one off with no problem. For black replacements have a peek at Jeg's #555-40336.

[Duke W.]

Re: Spark plug boots

If your old boots are in decent shape you can remove the red boots and install the used black boots.

Use a small screwdriver to open up a gap between the boot and wire around the circumference of the wire, and shoot a bit of silicone spray lubricant into the gap. Work the boot gently in torsion until it breaks loose then carefully pull it off.

Use the silicone spray to install the old boots.

A thin film of silicone grease on the inside of the spark plug boots will prevent them from seizing to the insulator, so they will come off easily the next time with no damage to the boots.

Duke

[Jim S.]

Re: Spark plug boots

Paul,

Yep ,thats the exact ones I have . How you got that off so easily is beyond me ,as I tried before I wrote this question and could not even get one to Spin on the wire a tad .. Good to know they do come off though.

The Jeg's #555-40336. Look like a good alternative but they look a little different then the GM'S . Still better than the Red Ones .

Thanks,

JIm

[Jim S.]

Re: Spark plug boots

If your old boots are in decent shape you can remove the red boots and install the used black boots.

Use a small screwdriver to open up a gap between the boot and wire around the circumference of the wire, and shoot a bit of silicone spray lubricant into the gap. Work the boot gently in torsion until it breaks loose then carefully pull it off.

Use the silicone spray to install the old boots.

A thin film of silicone grease on the inside of the spark plug boots will prevent them from seizing to the insulator, so they will come off easily the next time with no damage to the boots.

Duke

Duke ,

Thanks for the tip on how to get them off and back on. I was affraid they were heat shrunk on, or worse.

As to the reuse of my old boots , Great idea, except that would be" Too easy" ! I am afraid that won't work as they are also red .

Jim

[Paul L.]

Re: Spark plug boots

Paul,

Yep ,thats the exact ones I have . How you got that off so easily is beyond me ,as I tried before I wrote this question and could not even get one to Spin on the wire a tad .. Good to know they do come off though.

The Jeg's #555-40336. Look like a good alternative but they look a little different then the GM'S . Still better than the Red Ones .

Thanks,

JIm

As Duke said you can open the boot/wire area a bit and shoot some WD-40 in. I did not but that would make matters easier.

Let us know how you make out.

[Jim S.]

Re: Spark plug boots

Paul and Duke,

I followed Duke's advise and used a little Armor All on each wire. They came apart so easily that I am now embarrassed I asked the question !

As to finding the correct looking black boot , thats another matter. I found several sources for a black boot in general , so I am ahead of the game, but I would like to find the exact or darn near .

My one brillant Idea was to call Lectric Limited . They however will not sell me the boots only. so the search continues.

JIm

[Wayne M.]

Re: Spark plug boots

..... As to finding the correct looking black boot , thats another matter. I found several sources for a black boot in general , so I am ahead of the game, but I would like to find the exact or darn near.

My one brillant Idea was to call Lectric Limited . They however will not sell me the boots only. so the search continues. ...

Jim --- sounds like it's time to hit the boneyard. I got a spare set (I forget off of what) with wires dated 1-Q-68 and the 90 degree black spark plug boots and the straight ones for the distrib end. So even if the wires are toast, I've got the boots.

Are there discernable differences in the boots that you've sourced ? Anyone care to post a pic ?

[Jim S.]

Re: Spark plug boots

Hi Wayne,

Here is what Lectric Limited says the originals look like (picture of the whole wire), and the closest I can find so far.

Do yours look like Lectric's?

JIm

[Wayne M.]

Re: Spark plug boots

....Do yours look like Lectric's? ......

Jim -- here's my boneyard set; must be off some '68 GM V-8. (note 4-Q-67). Compared with a few boots on my '65 small block (undoubtably replaced many times before 1980, by other owners) and I see two other two styles, although I trust these pics to be more period-correct for 1968 (and definitely originals).

LL's look very different. So what's C2 correct ? Let the discussions begin .

[Jim S.]

Re: Spark plug boots

Jim -- here's my boneyard set; must be off some '68 GM V-8. (note 4-Q-67). Compared with a few boots on my '65 small block (undoubtably replaced many times before 1980, by other owners) and I see two other two styles, although I trust these pics to be more period-correct for 1968 (and definitely originals).

LL's look very different. So what's C2 correct ? Let the discussions begin .

Wayne ,

Although I agree with you that your 68s and LLCs look different. there are some similarities. The horizontal ridge line , and the shortened boot on the plug wire side . Ie ; it is shorter than the plug side, as measured to the 90 degree bend.

Neither is anywhere near the ones I found to replace the red ones, or for that matter the red ones themselves . So I guess I will keep looking , or give up , as I have already decided not to go with the repro wires anyway. How much more can I lose for the wrong sized plug boots?

Thanks for the Pics,

Jim

[William C.]

Re: Spark plug boots

I'll try to post pics of some originals tomorrow. There are differences.

[Jim S.]

Re: Spark plug boots

I'll try to post pics of some originals tomorrow. There are differences.

Just to get a jump on Bill ............ I noticed that my old set had Seven Red Boots and one Black Boot. I am guessing that one wire was just to hard to replace and therefore left alone.

Could this be an original 66 one ?

It has the typical shorter length on the Spark Plug side .Also note the tapered/ beveled edge on the bottom of the Spark Plug Side of the boot.

Jim