sparkplug boot/ misfire

i have a 1998 legacy brighton wagon and it poured one day, the next morning, started the car, took off, and it misfired every time i put my foot on the gas. i've traced the problem to the spark plug boots. they are not properly sealing on the top of the head "they go in at 45 degree angle"

they are letting in water, then it misfires, i tried the cheap way first by putting dielectric grease around the top of the boot, no fix, still lets water in when it rains, tried new autozone wires, they dont fit right either, dont want to spend $ for dealer direct wires since they're probably marked up napa wires anyways. help......?:spin:anyone got any ideas? im dizzy