So I did an engine swap and left the heat shields off that go around the spark plug because there was a little dirt build up and I never realized all the dirt that got dropped down into the cylinders when I change them. The problem is that a buddy from saw that and said that i should put it back on because the heat from the exhaust manifolds could burn the wires. i also broke the clip that holds the wires together near the valve cover and I don't know if the wires touching the valve covers can damage anything?

 

i threw my heat shields far far away about 6 years ago with no problems. they trap dirt, make the plugs hard to change, and can contribute to cross threaded plugs.

its important to keep your wires up off the hot exhaust manifolds. you can get universal clips at any part store, junk yard. use wire ties or duct tape temporarily as needed. touching valve covers is not too bad, but better if they don't.

 

You can also get some spark plug socks off ebay that'll help protect the boots and wires from heat. I put a set on my V10 and they seem to work fine.

 

I tried to remove one of mine, and it didn't seem to matter how hard I pulled or twisted, it wouldn't budge. I ended up mangling it pretty bad, and had to straighten it back out so I could hook my plug wire back on.

Is there a trick or magic spell I have to recite to get them off?

 

You should be able to attack the bottom of the shield with a channel lock and squeeze it out.

 

i removed my plugs first, so i wouldn't risk breaking a plug. blow the tubes out with air before removing the plug so all the dirt doesn't go down in the cylinder.

i grabbed them at the top with a pair of channel locks and rocked them back and forth. some required twisting.

if they still won't come out, use a hammer to tap them back and forth.
if they still won't come out, use a chisel to crease them down at the manifold and reduce their diameter. be careful - don't break anything other than the heat shields.

 

How are they listed on E-Bay? Should I search for "Spark Plug Sock"?

 

I should have said sleeves as that's what I searched for. Here's a link to a set similar to what I installed.

V10 plug sleeves

 

Cool. I'd like to get some for my current projects. Thanks for the tip.