My 1986 GT is missing the heat shields on the spark plug wires, how important are they? I see the FIero Store sells them now, but I have ran without them for over 10 years. I have heard people say you should take them off, and other people swear by them. So should I buy them??

Thanks for the help!

They might help a little but if you replace your wires with nice aftermarket ones like MSD they have a thicker boot so the sheild are not needed. I have never used them and yet to have any problems.

I have always felt that heat shields were like oven mits. You can lift the pan out of the oven without them, but why would you want to. Protecting from heat is always a good thing.

I've been looking at these more to "dress-up" the engine.

I'm wondering though, how good would they be to help prevent all that "crud" from building up in the spark plug cavities, especially on the front side of the V6 which really fills up with dirt and trash?

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Marc in sunny Titusville, FL

• 84 SE son's car, loaded
  
• 85 Coup w/V6 transplant
  
• 85 GT newly on the road
  
• 86 SE/GT "The Chameleon" - big plans!

quote Originally posted by Gwain: I've been looking at these more to "dress-up" the engine. I'm wondering though, how good would they be to help prevent all that "crud" from building up in the spark plug cavities, especially on the front side of the V6 which really fills up with dirt and trash?

Basicly, they are alluminum tubes that suround the plug wire boot. I doubt they would do much to help prevent crud build-up. Your best bet to protect the front plugs is to reinstall the recall weatherstrip. It does a huge job in protecting the front plugs and other stuff.

Do those things fasten onto the plug wire boot?



I thought they pressed down into the spark plug recess? That would seem to shelter the recess some. Also, where does one get the formerly recalled weatherstrip?

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Marc in sunny Titusville, FL

• 84 SE son's car, loaded
  
• 85 Coup w/V6 transplant
  
• 85 GT newly on the road
  
• 86 SE/GT "The Chameleon" - big plans!

They fit over the plug boot. They are a semi-snug fit. They do not fit tight intot he plug recess.

Recall weatherstrips show up in the mall fairly often. Just have to keep am eye out for them.

I always had thought that these boots that fit over the plug ends were to prevent RF static for the AM radio.

I remember someone said they prevent the spark plugs from "arc-ing."