I was hoping someone can evauate my spark plugs. These were installed by the engine builder. They must not have checked the gaps on the plugs because they are all over the place. The #2 seems to be the darkest. These were champions. I have a pertronix ignition. These have 1000 miles.
I had planned to go with AC delco 45s .50 gap I have been reading about. But after looking at these I'm not sure. I seem to have a little spark ping when I WIde open throttle as it get going. By the looks of the spark plugs, could I do anything to improve that?
All the spark gaps should have a 0 in front. Sorry. Example .027
I'd clean those up then gap at all at a consistent .45 or .50, reinstall and read again. #2 is the worst and my#2 fouls more than the others. Swap out #2 plug with one of the others. Your other plugs look fine. I'm saying use same plugs after regap and re read after another 1000 miles. See how engine responds.
And I am not a fan of Champion plugs. They are fine for lawnmowers and weed wackers. I like the AC 45s you mentioned. Not every engine will respond the same to the same plug.
I'd also make sure your ground electrode is centered over your center electrode. I also use dielectric grease on the boots.
IMO....the ping is from the small and inconsistent plug gap. Open them up and try WOT.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
I have 3 lights..an Actron and Sunpro both older (15 plus years) with advance dial on back and a Ferret stealth. The Action and Sunpro both work fine after years and years but the connector on the bottom has a tendency to uncouple. If you're going to use it alot... drop the $110 for a quality light or $40 for a light with an advance dial. I believe you can find the Actron and Sunpro used for $10 to 20 on ebay.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
I ordered the below timing light and vacuum guage last night. Seemed like they had a good price on the 5568. Hopefully I be able to learn how to use them well.
Definitely need to inspect timing if you've got some pinging going on.
As mentioned before, with a high output coil you can safely gap the plugs to as much as 0.050.
I'm sure others may chime in, and this is dependent on each individual engine, but my initial timing is 17 degrees advanced, warmed up, vacuum disconnected, total advance sits at about 36 degrees at 2200-2300 RPM's.
Jeff I don't have a high output coil. It is a stock coil using the pertronics Ignitor ignition. That is why I set the gap at .035 to try.
I now have consistant spark plug gaps and I will check the timing later this week. I hope the hot plug and inconsistent gaps may have a roll in the WOT pinging.
Harold, I would also recommend "power timing". After you get the timing set, mark the cap with masking tape and sharpie lines and advance/retard to where the engine idles smoothest. Note that mark. Then you advance until engine starts pinging at WOT and back off a notch from there. That was the old H&O Racing receipe back in the 80's when I dealt with them.
When you say mark the cap, are you meaning the harmonic balancer right?
I have been studying up on timing and leaning to re curve the distributer. I ordered some tools and timing tape and may start messing with it.
Yesterday I messed around with timing and initial was set at around 11-12. I back it down to 9. I put some better fuel in and WOT pinging may have got better. More testing to come.
Setting all the spark plug gaps to a consistant .035 seemed to improve power some. Could that be possible?