Engine Problems-- Hottest Spark Plug?
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 65
From: South Dakota
Engine Problems-- Hottest Spark Plug?
So I got this truck a little over a year ago. We have had problems with it ever since. It was mostly stock. We went away with the 2 barrel and all the emissions garbage. It now has an aluminum 4 barrel intake with an edelbrock carb. Rebuilt the Carb. Put a new distributor in it. Gave it all new plugs and wires. Just recently replaced the fuel pump. put a better fuel filter on it. Checked the timing a few times seems to be ok. 7 of the 8 cylinders have good compression. Checked the oil and it seems to have a gassy smell. It is currently my daily driver but if it continues to keep running worse it probably won't get driven much anymore. What would you guys recommend for a hot spark plug to run in it to?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
You didn't say what engine you have, what Edelbrock - (1405, 1406?), etc, or if you're burning oil. The compression test (wet/dry) should have told you if you have any blow-by in that one cylinder - ring problem.
I wouldn't try a hotter plug until you do the following:
First off, change the oil and filter, pronto! Oil & gas don't mix well and the gas will wash the cylinder walls, berrins, etc, basically wreaking havoc on yer engine.
Second, the cause of that illness is probably because Edelbrocks don't like more than 5 - 5.5 lbs of fuel pressure. Stock Ford pumps put out somewhere in the range of 7 (+,-)lbs. Check yer fuel pressure and if it's too high for the Eddy, try and get a fuel pressure regulator - Holley makes about the best ones around.
Too much fuel pressure would let the gas would run by the float's needle valve, through the carb and into the intake, creating a way rich mixture. When off, the excess would drain down into the engine, giving the oil a gas/oil smell.
Third, it could be the fuel pump has a hole/crack in the diaphragm, letting gas get into the engine. I know you said it's new but new stuff has been known to be junk, too.
I wouldn't try a hotter plug until you do the following:
First off, change the oil and filter, pronto! Oil & gas don't mix well and the gas will wash the cylinder walls, berrins, etc, basically wreaking havoc on yer engine.
Second, the cause of that illness is probably because Edelbrocks don't like more than 5 - 5.5 lbs of fuel pressure. Stock Ford pumps put out somewhere in the range of 7 (+,-)lbs. Check yer fuel pressure and if it's too high for the Eddy, try and get a fuel pressure regulator - Holley makes about the best ones around.
Too much fuel pressure would let the gas would run by the float's needle valve, through the carb and into the intake, creating a way rich mixture. When off, the excess would drain down into the engine, giving the oil a gas/oil smell.
Third, it could be the fuel pump has a hole/crack in the diaphragm, letting gas get into the engine. I know you said it's new but new stuff has been known to be junk, too.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury, PA
Have you ever pulled the spark plugs to check the color to see how your air fuel mixture ratio is? Rarely can you just take a carb out of the box, slap it on an engine, and expect it to run perfectly.
If your gas is smelling gassy you might be running rich. Your spark plugs will be coated in a black soot, if not even have a oily/tar like coating.
If your gas is smelling gassy you might be running rich. Your spark plugs will be coated in a black soot, if not even have a oily/tar like coating.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,095
Likes: 5,756
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Its not a race, we are all just happen to be moving in the same direction (the garage). lol
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Don't need a hotter plug, you first need to adjust carburetor in terms of float height, proper jetting, and idle mixture settings, ignition timing, etc. Classic mistake. Ask me how I know.
9 times out of 10 the stock plug heat range is just about perfect. Plugs are "read" by observing the color of the ground strap and base ring. The insulator not so much, but it's important too.
9 times out of 10 the stock plug heat range is just about perfect. Plugs are "read" by observing the color of the ground strap and base ring. The insulator not so much, but it's important too.
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