spark plug brands?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 504
Likes: 4
From: Malheur County
Once upon a time I had a malfunctioning Bosh platinum plug out of the box. This was years ago in an old car, mechanic was the one that found it because I was of the mind (at the time) that a brand new part couldn't be the culprit. I just run copper plugs these days and change 'em once in a while.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Some mechanics would ****can a plug and replace it, if it was accidentally dropped onto concrete. Cracks in the porcelain aren't always visible. While they aren't used too much anymore ignition scopes were once common to troubleshoot ignition system.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
All true. I'm still using my Champion cleaner/tester to do the plugs. It provides a "visual" of the plug's sparking ability under increasing air pressure from the compressor.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 79
From: NE Texas
Used to have one at the dealership and it was amazing how many apparently clean nice plugs would start failing to fire at only about 90 pounds pressure.
True story - while stationed in Germany I did a complete tuneup on the '62 VW sunroof we had... ran like a rocket for about 10 miles and then started to sound like a 3 cylinder. Nursed it back to the auto shop on the kaserne and as soon as I pulled it in one of the older Germans who worked there came over and said "You used Champions, didn't you!" Yep, they had been out of Bosch. He says "Champions go bad in air cooled VWs... no one knows why, but they do." Took his word, got a ride to a German parts store and bought 4 Bosch plugs.. damn car ran like it was on nitro till I sold it. Haven't put a Champion in ANY VW in just under 40 years since then. Would love a good explanation.
True story - while stationed in Germany I did a complete tuneup on the '62 VW sunroof we had... ran like a rocket for about 10 miles and then started to sound like a 3 cylinder. Nursed it back to the auto shop on the kaserne and as soon as I pulled it in one of the older Germans who worked there came over and said "You used Champions, didn't you!" Yep, they had been out of Bosch. He says "Champions go bad in air cooled VWs... no one knows why, but they do." Took his word, got a ride to a German parts store and bought 4 Bosch plugs.. damn car ran like it was on nitro till I sold it. Haven't put a Champion in ANY VW in just under 40 years since then. Would love a good explanation.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
It is strange, ain't it? I mean, it's not a high tech part, or doesn't seem like it anyway. I latched onto NGK when someone suggested trying one in my LawnBoy, Champion CJ-14 is the classic plug, danged if it doesn't seem to rev higher with NGK. No idea why it would matter. Supposedly plugs can start to misfire for no apparent reason. In modern engines this will cause a code to be thrown if it gets bad enough, though not of course in anything vintage.
Also if the plugs are ever flooded out this can permanently damage them, even after they dry out, and fouling is basically the same way. It's important to have the carburetor tuned right and avoid carbon and deposits and have clean burning plugs.
Also if the plugs are ever flooded out this can permanently damage them, even after they dry out, and fouling is basically the same way. It's important to have the carburetor tuned right and avoid carbon and deposits and have clean burning plugs.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
It is amazing how little things mean something to an internal combustion engine. That's why some people do indexing or "clocking" of their spark plugs to position the side electrode a certain way in the combustion chamber. It will slightly affect the "flame front" and burning of the mixture.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...dexing-washers
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...dexing-washers
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Odessa, Fl.
I just tried a set of Autolite Platinum in Hayride - 78 400 2v. Not so happy. Went back to Motorcraft coppers. Runs much better.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,260
Likes: 1,321
From: Pryor, OK
I've never had a problem with Motorcraft plugs or anything, for that matter. Unless you are running really hot spark, there is no need for expensive plugs.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 516
Likes: 27
It is a known fact that in drug trials, the placebo will be effective for roughly 30% of the test subjects. That's right, the mind is a powerful thing. That's why the butt dyno is virtually worthless. Spark plugs are like religious artifacts, there's a lot of "belief" involved. I've had less than half a dozen spark plugs bad out of the box. But it does happen.
Electricity as water? The analogy is made from time to time. Voltage works the same way as pressure. Amperage works the same way as flow rate.
A plug with multi electrodes doesn't divide the spark. The spark jumps to the ground that requires the least voltage for the arc to start.
R.
Electricity as water? The analogy is made from time to time. Voltage works the same way as pressure. Amperage works the same way as flow rate.
A plug with multi electrodes doesn't divide the spark. The spark jumps to the ground that requires the least voltage for the arc to start.
R.
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