Mechanics class 101 Spark plug change

[Kim K Kaiser]

Hi again,,

next adventure into car repair,,tomorrow,, spark plug change,, 

as noted in prior post, i put in the petronix,  it states a 45 spacing,  car manual says 35 so i m gonna put in mew plugs for petronix specification,  

i have now learned from prior experience,, no such thing as a quick or easy repair,

so my question is in re plugs,, other than pulling them out screwing them in, are there any other pitfalls as they relate to the 63 cdv,, it looks cut and dried, but............

Sincerely

Kim

[2o93f8rdftyzj]

Geez Tony, 045 thou is a fairly big gap. Not saying you're right or wrong either, but I set mine @ 032 thou and I use a wire gap tool rather than a feeler gauge. 

[Kim K Kaiser]

according to the Petronix instructions, they suggest setting at that gap due to the electri=onic ignition, at least that is what there instructions advise, that is why i was using that figure, despite the manual for stock and points is 35

[2o93f8rdftyzj]

Geez Tony, that all seems to make sense to me using a eeeleectwonic ignition.

[Jason Edge]

I ran the Pertronix Ignitor II ignition and Flamethrower II coil for 5+ years, now have run the Petronix Ignitor III ignition and Flamethrower III coil for the last 5 years and have never seen Pertronix state to specifically set the spark plug gap to .045".

If running the Flamethrower coils there site and installation instructions states
"For performance applications, the spark plug gap may be increased up to 0.010" from manufacturer’s specifications to take advantage of the extra energy, produced by the Flame-Thrower coil. Since PerTronix cannot test every configuration, the end user must determine what spark plug gap works best for their application."

As far as the ignitor ignition, there information on the website states:
"What should I gap the spark plugs to?
The Ignitor has no set specification in which the spark plugs should be gaped at. Every engine responds differently to spark plug setting. In most cases increasing the factory recommended gap by .005 improves the engine performance."

My suggestion is:
- If you are running only the Ignitor II or III ignition, experiment between .035" and .040"
- If you are running both the Ignitor II or III ignition AND Flamethrower II or III Coils, experiment between .035" and .045".
For my 64 CDV with the III series Ignitor and Flamethrower, I have dialed it into .042" for best performance.

[Kim K Kaiser]

i got it set them set at 40,  i have the Ignitor 1 with a letter behind it,, its not the "1" though.  it may be like a 1 and and half.. and the new coil, so i thought 40 would be a good start, 

i think i read from someone, that i WILL NOT have to reset timing after the new plugs,, is that correct,, no additional timing check???

[24ro8f5mbs2jc]

Why do you think timing will change if you only replace spark plugs?

[Kim K Kaiser]

i have no idea,, i haven't figured all the interworking relationships out yet between the working parts,  that is why I was asking,,,

[24ro8f5mbs2jc]

The timing is set by the distributor. You have replaced the regular points by electronic points and set the correct timing. That's the change. Your changing of spark plugs have nothing to do with the set point of the distributor. Unless if you moved it. And why would you do that if only replacing plugs?

However, there is nothing wrong with checking your timing. You can do that every day if you like. But a change of spark plugs will not affect timing.

[2o93f8rdftyzj]

Hey Kim, always better to ask first rather then bugger up something...... Sometimes, its not too hard, to work it out yourself and your workshop manual will go a long way to helping, but a simple question to confirm or dispel something, is always a really good idea.  Don't forget the help pages either, lots of proven knowledge in there.

I've only had our Fleetwood for a year, and in the early part, I was asking all sorts of stuff.

[Kim K Kaiser]

thanks for the information,, 

i got the plugs  changed out,, i am guessing that there is something to be learned from plugs on removal.

most looked almost like new, guessing changed in last year or so. some carbon deposit on some, just some light buildup.  but the two on the back of the engine on passenger side, the strap part was solid white, while all th other s were a dark grey or black look .

Would that discoloring indicate anything in particular??

[2o93f8rdftyzj]

Every spark plug tells a story..... Can you post some pics and the brains trust on here will be able to determine a reading...... Just a hint too, don't over tighten the plugs and the tiniest bit of "never-seize" on the threads is always a good idea..... Been a while since I've had to read some spark plugs, so I may might not offer an opinion, but several on here will offer some great advice.

[Kim K Kaiser]

ok.. see they are,, i lost one, but you can see one one the end is white not so much,, little gunky, one or two, but these are straigt out of engine,

took care for a ride,,, gave it some good accelerator time, up to 78 or 80, ran really good, haven't been that fast but a time or two, seemed to get to that speed a little quicker,,  just felt a little peppier,, maybe my imagination, but it rode nicely, engine sounded good, didnt notice the carbon spot today either,,,,