Spark plug replacement is interesting to me particularly on cars that I drive a
lot. That is because as you say, the condition of the plugs when you take them
out is VERY revealing. If the cars just sit around a lot and only get started
occasionally without being driven this will tell you next to nothing.
Most generic shop manuals give a page or two of color pictures that show what
various plug conditions indicate.
Paul
In a message dated 3/16/2004 9:06:21 AM Eastern Standard Time,
kmoore12@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> Fellow Imperial aficionados,
> I have been "listening" to all the discussions and comments on spark
>plugs and thought I should throw in a couple of my pennies. Recently, I have
>been fooling around with my timing trying to get rid of some pinging. The only
>way I could get rid of it was by retarding the timing :( Then, I came across
>one of my Grandfather's old Petersen shop manuals (1975) and it says,
> "Plugs with PLATINUM or other fine wire electrodes and surface gap
>plugs having no side electrode should not be used unless specified by the
>manufacturer."
> Guess what kind of plugs I took out of my car? I now have the O.E.
>champions J-13Y and my timing is no longer retarded. The '66-71 used the same
>plugs (J-13Y) and '59-'65 used J-14Y; '72 used J-11Y all of 'em are gapped
>.035". So I have to agree with Paul, unless the plugs are old or something is
>wrong with the engine, plugs don't fail. In fact, according to the same book,
>plugs are an excellent indicator of what is
> going on inside the combustion chamber.
> Anyway, whatever works for ya'-- Do it!
>
> Keith
> 1970 LeBaron
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