Wooohoo! Spark plugs!

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notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Was doing some work on my car today (replacing header gasket), and I managed to snap two spark plugs in half. Was afraid that I was gonig to havbe to borrow a car tomorrow and go pick some up, but I've got 8 spare plugs in the garage :)

Tomorrow I jsut need to put the new gasket on, and put the thing together, and I'm good to go :)
 
S

Soybomb

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
9,506
2
81
I always surprise myself when I break plugs. Champions' always broke on me more so now I use autolites.

Can I have your laptop btw :)
 
Zim Hosein

Zim Hosein

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Super Moderator
Nov 27, 1999
65,520
410
126
I've never broken a spark plug, but glad things worked out for you :)
 
N

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0


<< No I can't I don't have any money :D >>



That would pose a problem :) Trade me soemthing for it, then ;)
 
C

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,685
59
91
i never used water to soak the gaskets,instead,i use High temp Antiseize {never seize}
Permatex makes some,and i see the stuff being used at my work.
The Engineers working with the steam,for hot water/heating swear by the stuff,
its good way past 1500 F
Worked Great on my 427/hooker headers in my 67 Camaro, i retightened the bolts after a week and then this spring,so far so good !!!!!!!
I also see that there is some copper header gaskets being sold at tha Advance Auto Parts store
near me,they have small block Ford and Chevy in stock, Summit Racing has them too.:)
 
P

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,158
59
91
Soaking them helps if you're running the old white gaskets; It makes them bond to the header and exhaust port better.

If you're using the newer type, I don't think it helps.

I used to have a heck of a problem with header gaskets on my old Trans Am (1976) and I found the soaking and doubling the gaskets did the trick.
Now they have these extreme duty types....they would have saved me a lot of work about 14 years ago. :disgust:
 
JC

JC

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2000
5,855
73
91


<< I used to have a heck of a problem with header gaskets on my old Trans Am (1976) >>



and changing header gaskets on a Pontiac engine isn't fun, is it? as the bolts point downward (had a 67 GTO) I went back to manifolds, solved that problem, still had plenty-o-power.

JC
 
C

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,685
59
91
he prob broke the plugs when he was removing the to take off the headers,so as to replace the gaskets...;)
i broke a plug in a head once,and had to pull the head off the engine,:|
on a 318 plymouth,in a 72 Satellite Sebring 2 door,in 1977..;)
hey who has ever changed points in a old Slant 6 LOL
thats FUN,,,,,,:Q
 
R

rival

Diamond Member
Aug 19, 2001
3,490
0
0
speakin of spark plugs, does replacing mine with some sort of fancy 'splitfire' ones or whatever do much good? i dont know whats in there now, or anything about my truck...do spark plugs matter much?
 
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Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,158
59
91
<<speakin of spark plugs, does replacing mine with some sort of fancy 'splitfire' ones or whatever do much good? i dont know whats in there now, or anything about my truck...do spark plugs matter much? >>

Short answer, NO. Lots of people will tell you different, but all a spark plug is is a gap for the spark to jump. Splitting or U-shaping or whatever shape you want to make it, will NOT make the engine spark any different.

Now some plugs (platinum, double platinum) will certainly last longer, but they don't spark any better.

Just be sure you have the correct heat range plug for your vehicle, regardless of manufacturer. Where people run into problems is getting a heat range or two hotter or colder........that will create problems.
 
S

Soybomb

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
9,506
2
81
Pac's right as always:
Splitfire plugs have also been known to literally break apart in some engines, particularly forced induction ones. Avoid splitfire at all costs. Just get a good spark plug in the proper heat range.
 
P

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,158
59
91
Hey, Soy, haven't seen you around lately.

A really good place to look at spark plug use is the race track. Check a local dragstrip, since drag cars vary wildly, and the people and equipment are easy to get near.
Even in the professional ranks, you'll find that most use regular Autolites, or whatever they feel like running, unless they have a contract with another company. Plugs don't matter, or all the racers would use which one is the "best".

 
M

Mungla

Senior member
Dec 23, 2000
843
0
71
Bad things happen when you don't have the correct heat range. Just recently, I went to replace the NGK plugs on my bike, but couldn't find any. So, I had to settle with Champions, which were cross-referenced from the NGK's. Let's just say that cross referencing on spark plugs DOES NOT WORK!

Typically, I use +1 heat range plugs (+1 from stock) and they work great during the cooler months. But, the Champions were like +2. Let's just say, I was cruising along one day and the engine started balking and died on me. I was finally able to get the engine to start and made it home. Once I got home, I pulled the carbs (I thought maybe a diaphragm popped loose or a main-jet fell out) and found them to be alright. Then, I remembered the Champions that I put in the week before. Sure enough, the center electrode on one plug was completely melted off and stuck to the side electrode. Then, on another plug, the center electrode showed signs of overheating. Pre-ignition sucks! Now that I have +1 NGK's back in the bike, she's running great.
 
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Soybomb

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
9,506
2
81
Heh I've not been around as much with work lately. I still try to stop in. Now if notfred would just go back to his fs/ft thread and trade me a desktop for a laptop :D ;)

Btw I find autolite 65's run great in a mildy massaged 2.2l turbo dodge in case anyone was wondering :)
 
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