Spark Plug Boots

I'm planning on changing my spark plugs soon. I figure the boots should be changed too because of age and the fact that I will probably destroy them... It seems Rockauto is the only online parts store that has them, but their descriptions are pretty vague. I mainly want to know how many usually come in a pack? Is it all 6, 3... or just 1? And what brand should I go with? Delphi or Delco? I've never owned a car with direct ignition, so this is all foreign to me...

Also, what plugs do you guys recommend? Should I just stick with the platinum Delcos?

I just replaced my plugs with NGK TR55IX (original plugs were NGK PTR5C13)and used the old boots. The boots seemed to come out just fine. I just freshened up the silicone (dielectric grease) on the boots and reused. Just take your time.

I reciently ordered plugs and boots, but haven't done the job yet. I talked with customer service at the Rock about the two part numbers in their catalog. I was told that part 12165490 is the original part, with the other Delco boot being a more universal part. I ended up ordering from AC-Direct, a store on Amazon. There is one boot per part number. So you need 6 for one engine. For $18.00 for all new boots, I'd rather use new boots than get into the job and find out I need to buy something from a local shop!

The original plugs I found on e-bay from dealer overstock. They are an NGK plug, as they carry the NGK part number. I think they are also in the Rock's catalog. I believe the 7740 NGK is the cross reference to the Delco that's in their catalog, but the delco plug is much cheaper.

I'd be interested in how your plugs go. It's getting cold here, and I don't know if I'll get them done before spring.

That was extremely helpful, carbon. Thanks for the part number. Apparently every online GM part store stocks these, but you have to know the part number to find it. Even the Rock doesn't list it, but stocks it. Very strange...

I ordered them from AC-Direct. They're a few cents more expensive than other places, but the shipping was MUCH cheaper.

My boots from AC-direct finally arrived today.

My local Autozone was out of the NGK platinums, so I went with Autolite platinums instead. I doubt they'll last nearly as long, but I needed something.
I'm going to change them next week. I'll let you know how it goes...

As much as I love using Autolite plugs in my Fords, I tried them in my wifes Cavalier a few years ago and they only lasted 20,000 km. or 12,000 miles. I put the OEM Delcos in and they performed longer, and are still in the car. I would recommend putting in the Delco's, as they are rated for lasting a heck of alot longer than the competition.

Well, I put the Autolites in anyway, because I already bought 'em.

I probably didn't need to buy new boots after all. The old ones are pretty tough so you can really pull on them without hurting them. However, I did rip one at the back, but that was only because I couldn't see and grabbed the very edge of it with needle nose pliers.

The front plugs are a piece of cake because you can see what you're doing. But the rear is a real PITA... Getting the rear coil pack off the plugs is the hardest part. I didn't have a socket wrench for my 1/4" drive metric sockets, so I just stuck a short flat head screwdriver into the socket. It worked, but made things unnecessarily difficult. After I got the screws out, I had to pry the pack out with a screwdriver because it was stuck to the engine really good. Then you have to maneuver the pack around some hoses and wires to get it out. After that, getting to the plugs is a piece of cake, you don't even need any fancy socket angle adapters to get to them. Just some straight extensions.

BTW, I put the car in reverse with the parking brake on before I shut it off to rock the engine forward a little. I don't know if this gave me any more room, but it certainly didn't hurt. If you really want to rock the engine forward you have to unbolt the front bracket, which I wasn't really in the mood to do.

The NGK plugs I pulled out didn't look horrible, but they didn't look great either. I checked the gap on them for kicks and noticed none of them were gapped the same. They varied from .42" to .55", which can't be good for the engine. Not sure how exactly that happens...

I gapped all my Autolites to .50", threw 'em in and put it all back together. I started her up and took 'er for a test drive. It didn't seem to perform noticeably better, but it's idling SO MUCH smoother. When I pulled to a stop I actually thought the engine died because it was running so smooth.

Tobey-

How many miles did you have on the plug/wires when you changed them out?

If someone ever tells me that a set of plugs are PRE-GAPED, I gap 'em anyway! I have yet to have them all perfect, rather, at least one is always outta whack.

Great Job on your post. :wink:

I have no idea. I bought it at 80,000 and put 20,000 on it. I kind of suspect the plugs were replaced at some point, although these could very well be the originals.

But I hope the car didn't come from the factory with plugs gaped like this...

Tobey,

I can appreciate your fear. I now have that too!

Can you fill out the bottom of your post with Car/mdel/engine data?
Click on USER CP.....ammend your signiture.

For cloggs like me, it really helps alot. :grinno: