Shorty/header spark plugs

[70 beater]

What spark plugs are you guys using with Vortec heads and headers ? The AC Delco plugs fit the old headers o.k. but they're a bit too long for the new headers. I've got to change some of the wire boots also. '76 2wd smallblock with full length Afterburner headers. Old headers were full length Hookers.

[VileZambonie]

http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel%20Spark%20Plugs/111/8198/10002/-1?CT=999

[sooner]

Vortec heads use a .750 reach plug.

These autolite ar 103's are shorter than a conventional plug and a good alternative to the accel shorty plugs. They worked great for me with headers on my 80 camaro.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRM-AR103/

[VileZambonie]

Vortec heads use a .750 reach plug.

These autolite ar 103's are shorter than a conventional plug and a good alternative to the accel shorty plugs. They worked great for me with headers on my 80 camaro.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRM-AR103/

  The reach of the spark plug is the length of the threaded portion of the spark plug. What would that have to do with header clearance?

[fitz]

I have Vortec heads with Hooker Super Competition headers in my Camaro.
I use the Accel shorty spark plugs.
Don't know the part # of the top of my head but I got them from Summit Racing (as Vile pointed out Jegs will have them also).
Ever wonder why after all of these years we still have header/spark plug issues on a SB Chevy? It kills me to have to take a hammer to a set of $500+ headers to make room for spark plug wires.

[TexasRed]

I have Vortec heads with Hooker Super Competition headers in my Camaro.
I use the Accel shorty spark plugs.
Don't know the part # of the top of my head but I got them from Summit Racing (as Vile pointed out Jegs will have them also.
Ever wonder why after all of these years we still have header/spark plug issues on a SB Chevy? It kills me to have to take a hammer to a set of $500+ headers to make room for spark plug wires.

I'm pretty sure it's a Vaughn conspiracy.

[sooner]

Vortec heads use a .750 reach plug.

These autolite ar 103's are shorter than a conventional plug and a good alternative to the accel shorty plugs. They worked great for me with headers on my 80 camaro.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRM-AR103/

  The reach of the spark plug is the length of the threaded portion of the spark plug. What would that have to do with header clearance?

Yeah, im pretty familiar with what the term reach means on a spark plug. The plug you linked to is a .460 reach plug. The plug I linked to is a .750 reach plug which is what the vortec head requires. I just happened to have a set of vortecs in my garage so I snapped some pics to help you out.

.750 reach on left  .460 reach on right



.750 reach plug fully seated= right reach



.460 reach plug fully seated= wrong reach

[TexasRed]

I read on the internets that the vortec plug is actually .708 (.750 should work). I got AC Rapidfire plugs, I think #1. I ordered them off a '84 350. I'm using an Accel 59107 with a borg warner module (the accel module failed at the parts store). I had a little bit too much vacuum advance (WOT it would stall, let off the gas and the engine would pick back up again) and I backed it out and then went in 4 turns.

[VileZambonie]

If I linked to the wrong spark plugs why didn't you just say that? 

These are the correct spark plugs http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel+Spark+Plugs/111/P526S/10002/-1

or

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-P526S/

[VileZambonie]

Vortec heads use a .750 reach plug.

These autolite ar 103's are shorter than a conventional plug and a good alternative to the accel shorty plugs. They worked great for me with headers on my 80 camaro.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRM-AR103/

  The reach of the spark plug is the length of the threaded portion of the spark plug. What would that have to do with header clearance?

Yeah, im pretty familiar with what the term reach means on a spark plug. The plug you linked to is a .460 reach plug. The plug I linked to is a .750 reach plug which is what the vortec head requires. I just happened to have a set of vortecs in my garage so I snapped some pics to help you out.

.750 reach on left  .460 reach on right



.750 reach plug fully seated= right reach



.460 reach plug fully seated= wrong reach

Oh and as pointed out you have the wrong reach but thanks for helping me out wise guy.

[TexasRed]

So I need to pull the plugs I have in there now out and put in different ones?

[VileZambonie]

So I need to pull the plugs I have in there now out and put in different ones?

You said you put in the .708?

[TexasRed]

I thought I put it rapidfire #1's, which appear to be .460.  I thought it was a .750 plug. Well, I'll pull one and see. Better to have put one in that's too short I guess.

[VileZambonie]

Yes better to go shorter than longer!

[sooner]

If I linked to the wrong spark plugs why didn't you just say that? 

I did back in post #3 my man.

You then assumed that I did not know what I was talking about, so I assumed that you did not know what you were talking about.

I thought I put it rapidfire #1's, which appear to be .460.  I thought it was a .750 plug. Well, I'll pull one and see. Better to have put one in that's too short I guess.

If you run the .460 reach plug, its going to start and run but you are going to have some serious performance issues. Its going to want a ton of spark advance to make any power at all, and it will cause the plug to run extremely cold and will eventually carbon foul. I'd go ahead and swap them out for the longer reach plug.