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ENGINE - How to choose spark plug heat range


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Can anyone tell me how to properly choose the heat range for spark plugs? Is there a tutorial on the web somewhere? Also, is there a guide somewhere which shows the heat ranges for the different plug manufaturers and how the part numbers correspond to the heat range?

 

In my '71, the plugs are a little black even though judging be the exhaust, the car is not running rich. I'm wondering if the plugs are running a bit cold but I don't know how to check this or what plugs I should use instead.

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

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Give me some info on your set up. some combos will leave a lite coating of black soot on the plugs. unleaded fuels don't "read" on the plugs like in the old leaded days. carb'ed non computer engines won't read like a late model FI will. late FI's run so lean that if a carb'ed set run that lean it would damage the engine. the computers do a lot of timing changes to stop detonation the whole time the thing is running.

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This is what I got:

 

-400 small block with flat top pistons (approx. 9.5:1) and stock rods.

-Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, heads, cam and 1406 carb (600 cfm). Cam is installed straight-up.

- 1 5/8" headers into 3" pipes with cross-over.

- MSD 6A ignition module with a Pertronix trigger.

 

I don't remember what the plugs are but I can check tonight.

 

I'm running 93 octane unleaded. Timing is 8 degrees at idle with approx 36 degrees total.

 

 

------------------

Huibert

http://home.twmi.rr.com/hmees/monte_index.htm

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Check this out:

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/sparkplugs.html

http://www.motocross.com/motoprof/moto/mcycle/plug2/plug2.htm

http://www.splitfire.com/plugtips.htm

http://www.sa750.com/plugs/plugs.htm

http://www.in.net/~eholman/ngkplugs.html

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/techtips.asp#heat

 

------------------

71 Monte 383 "The Full Monte"

86 Monte LS ZZ4 "The Gray Mouse" FOR SALE!

Andreas' Monte Carlo Site

Member NMCOA, FGMCC (Event Coordinator)

---------------------------------------

"It ain't a car if it's not a Monte"

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Thanks, Rice Racing. One thing I forgot to mention, I also use a MSD Blaster 2 coil. Would you still stick with the .035 gap or would you go larger? Wouldn't the higher voltage allow for a larger gap or is there no advantage?

 

Is there a particular brand which you would recommend? What about Platinum? When you say "extended tip", do you mean extended versus stock plugs? Thanks again.

 

 

------------------

Huibert

http://home.twmi.rr.com/hmees/monte_index.htm

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Yes even with the MSD coil stick with the .035 gap. The extended tip means the electrode is further out of the shell, for a good example next time you go to the parts store look at an R44T ac plug its standard then look at an R44TS it is an extended tip. the 6 series boxes are better than stock but even they are not a "hot" ignition, besides it's not the size of the spark it's the intesity of the the spark that matters. a small "hot" spark will ignite the mix far better than a large "warm" spark. In the race stuff with the race only MSD set up, 7AL3 box, pro power coil, etc. etc. I only use .035 gap any larger and it will mis fire at high rpm. granted my mix is harder to fire 14.5 to 1 compression, but the principal is still the same. the NGK V-POWERS work great.

Rice Racing "Don"

 

[This message has been edited by Rice Racing (edited 02-27-2002).]

 

[This message has been edited by Rice Racing (edited 02-27-2002).]

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