Does anybody make a tool for pulling the Spark Plug Wire Heat Shields off my 3.8 engine? I had a heck of a time on the back side even with the engine tilted forward.

 

what spark plug wire heat shields?

 

I found a cheap tool from o'reilly auto parts but it didn't work at all.. Actually ended up breaking it right away. Just pull on them and twist a little. Might take a while if they've never been changed. Spent about an hour just trying to get the rear ones off my Monte when I did header install.

 

I had a heck of a time getting the rear sheilds off. I finally did. They wouldn't budge. I have big hands and even though I tilted the engine forward I still couldn't get in there.
I have the 2004 Dale JR. supercharged model. I changed to a 3.4 pulley, changed to a K&N cold air, 3" off road stainless steel downpipe and a tweaked PCM. I had to go with colder plugs and a 180 deg thermostat. Hauls butt now!!

 

My 3.8 engine has metal tubes protecting my plugs and boots from heat. I never come across this before and don't want to do it again!

 

How hard was it to put the headers on?

 

I don't know about anyone elses Monte w/3.8 but the heat shields on mine are held in place by the base of the spark plug. In order to remove them you remove the spark plug.

 

My plug wires have a metal shield right on the wire. It fits right over the boot. I think GM may have had a TSB about this. I cant seem to find it now.

 

I had this problem with a 3800 in a Bonneville helping a friend. My final answer (as we were changing plugs AND wires, so damage to the wire was a non-issue).

Get vice grips, grab the small amount of exposed rubber plug boot sticking out of the metal heat shield. With the vice grips on tight, twist the boot side-to-side as much as you can WHILE pulling it out. Worked like a champ for me.

When putting the new plug wires on, make sure to put enough die-electric grease (helps prevent this issue in the future).

 

there's a spring on the end of the metal tube that catch on to the spark plug that's probably why it's kinda hard pulling out. i threw the metal boot sleeves away when i used to have my monte and bought a nylon sleeve boot protector. keep the boot cool not heat soak like metal one plus it's easier when changing new plugs. also don't forget to use some spark plug grease when changing new plugs, make the boots come off easy next time you have to change spark plugs.