Massive thanks to Phazed

[pinchmeimdreamin]

You were indeed correct sir, spent all day yesterday and this morning checking/double checking the preload and it was indeed out, so used Real steel shims and rebuilt.

Panicked totally when i started her up and clattered away again however 30 secs later no sign of any clatter at all


However still had the misfire.

In the end tried using one of my old HT leads direct to the plugs one at a time bypassing the shroud and it appears number 6 shroud is dead ( runs sweet as anything with old lead on ),

So I will run with the old lead direct to the plug whilst I source a replacement

[phazed]

I'm really glad that you have it sorted !

i have a set of new or nearly new shrouds if you're interested?

[AlexHillTVR]

How easily do plug shrouds fail? Prior to engine out my chim was running rough as st and the plug shrouds and coil were about the only bits of the ignition system that weren't replaced. The plug shrouds are almost certainly the original jobs- rusted like crazy on the outside, now 21 years old.

[phazed]

They just fail occasionally.

Easiest way to test is to replace.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

phazed said:

i have a set of new or nearly new shrouds if you're interested?

I may be interested thanks. I'm debating the idea of using plug socks instead though.

[phazed]

I used socks on my 4.6.

Worked well with a new set of exell leads from the states.

Trouble is, the ones I obtained that are a great product, wouldn't slide over the ends.

Thanks to Sardonicus, he striped off the fitted ends, slipped on the socks and remade the crimped joints with his little gizmo.

Nothing is easy

[carsy]

I used socks on mine for a while, bought from the states. Great at first but didnt last long. Now back with the normal extenders.

If you are going for the socks you need the expensive ones. Personally i dont think i`d bother again.

[phazed]

Mine were expensive, add a journey to East Sussex to sort the ends and I could of had a good night out!

[brett84]

I'm going to be making up some leads shortly and was about to buy some of the sleeves last night and ditch the plug extenders. Glad I didn't know if there have been some bad experiences with them
Was it these sort you tried?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Titanium-Protector-Sleeve-...

Do you think these would work? Down the page they have silicone leads and it has a terminal which can be bent so it could be angled up away from the exhaust?
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...

[phazed]

Those from eBay look like mine!

There is so much heat down there that I would keep the extenders or go for good quality boots.

[brett84]

Thanks, what about something like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380665827584?ssPageName=...
I've just had problems with the original extenders so wondering if it could be improved

[carsy]

I just bought a new set of extenders from ACT.

New yank Morosso leads from Real Steel and made them to length. The quality of the American leads really are second to none. So far the heat hasnt touched them. You gets what you pay for.

[phazed]

brett84 said:

Thanks, what about something like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380665827584?ssPageName=...
I've just had problems with the original extenders so wondering if it could be improved

You don't know till you try!

I'm running yank leads and extenders on the 5.5.

I will probably fit socks just for neatness but that's a while down the line!

As for extenders', probably 95% of chims and griffs are running these so pretty reliable given their age.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

phazed said:

i have a set of new or nearly new shrouds if you're interested?

YHM

[Chuffmeister]

brett84 said:

Thanks, what about something like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380665827584?ssPageName=...
I've just had problems with the original extenders so wondering if it could be improved

Would this depend on the resistance of the spark plugs?