Clean the sparkies, or replace
What's the best way to clean spark plugs? Just scrub 'em? Use a little
brake cleaner? Or since they're cheap - just toss and go?
I've got my rebuild kit and replacement float on the way. I had
requested them by phone at one AMC shop, but got no call back. After a
week I placed an online order at another AMC s. shop, but got no
confirmation on the order and my card was never billed. I sent a
follow-up e-mail with no response, so finally went with The Carburetor
Doctor. Didn't want to go outside AMC vendors, but had to this time.
(no meanness - they're probably just out at shows or taking
well-deserved vacation time)
Anyway - parts are on the way. I pulled the plugs and they are very
black from running rich. I'm figuring I'll check the distributor cap,
rotor, plugs, spark plug wires, air filter and tune it when I pop the
rebuilt carb back on. (Pertronix, so it should be easy). Just trying
to decide between cleaning the plugs or replacing them.
(I'll probably just replace the whole shooting match and keep the old
stuff in a box in the trunk "just in case") - it's only got maybe 2K
miles on 'em. What's the general thought? Replace and save as backup,
or clean and go? Tom - what plugs are you running in your 195.6?
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Bruce,
I'm hope you remember the pledge you made in a solemn ceremony when you bought your Rambler:
I, as a tight-wad Rambler owner, pledge to use every part until there is absolutely no useful life left in it. After that, I will inspect it and try to use it some more or sell it to another Rambler owner who will try to get a few more miles out it, so help me George Romney.
Yes, you should clean those plugs and re-use them. With 2k miles they would probably go back in the boxes and on the shelf for resale at your nearest Rambler dealer.
Joe Fulton
--- On Tue, 7/27/10, Bruce Griffis wrote:
From: Bruce Griffis
Subject: [AMC-list] Clean the sparkies, or replace
To: "AMC, Rambler, Nash, Jeep and family"
Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 7:15 AM
What's the best way to clean spark plugs? Just scrub 'em? Use a little
brake cleaner? Or since they're cheap - just toss and go?
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Joe's right, and it's OK to use Elmer's Glue on broken plugs. You
don't really want all 6 cylinders running at once anyways it uses more
gas.
(If they're new and fuel-sooty, and you get it tuned right that stuff
will likely just burn off in the next 500 miles. You could swish the
ends in a container of solvent or a squirt of carb cleaner might get
most of it off.)
If the vendors are on vacation, their voicemail or webpage should say
so, and a courtesy call back even too late doesn't hurt. Business
works two ways -- respect gains respect. I've had occasional similar
experiences. I tend not to call back those that are unreliable
communicators. A few people are part time, "kitchen" type operations,
or just plain hobbiests like me, and when that's clear, I'm far more
accomodating -- I'd want the same thing! Full time business though,
come on, answer the phone or return calls! (or accept email).
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i recall, hundreds of years ago, you could buy a spark plug
cleaning device, this one made by Champion. It did a
sandblasting kind of thing and of course they sold the sand
too.
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:36:24 -0700
From: tom jennings
To: "AMC, Rambler, Nash, Jeep and family"
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] Clean the sparkies, or replace
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Joe's right, and it's OK to use Elmer's Glue on broken plugs. You
don't really want all 6 cylinders running at once anyways it uses more
gas.
(If they're new and fuel-sooty, and you get it tuned right that stuff
will likely just burn off in the next 500 miles. You could swish the
ends in a container of solvent or a squirt of carb cleaner might get
most of it off.)
If the vendors are on vacation, their voicemail or webpage should say
so, and a courtesy call back even too late doesn't hurt. Business
works two ways -- respect gains respect. I've had occasional similar
experiences. I tend not to call back those that are unreliable
communicators. A few people are part time, "kitchen" type operations,
or just plain hobbiests like me, and when that's clear, I'm far more
accomodating -- I'd want the same thing! Full time business though,
come on, answer the phone or return calls! (or accept email).
-
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You can still get them. Aircraft mechanics use them very often because of the long life and replacement expensve (and lead in the fuel) for light plane spark plugs.
Joe Fulton
--- On Tue, 7/27/10, C The wrote:
From: C The
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] Clean the sparkies, or replace
To: amc-list@amc-list.com
Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 12:21 PM
i recall, hundreds of years ago, you could buy a spark plug
cleaning device, this one made by Champion. It did a
sandblasting kind of thing and of course they sold the sand
too.
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:36:24 -0700
From: tom jennings
To: "AMC, Rambler, Nash, Jeep and family"
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] Clean the sparkies, or replace
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Joe's right, and it's OK to use Elmer's Glue on broken plugs. You
don't really want all 6 cylinders running at once anyways it uses more
gas.
(If they're new and fuel-sooty, and you get it tuned right that stuff
will likely just burn off in the next 500 miles. You could swish the
ends in a container of solvent or a squirt of carb cleaner might get
most of it off.)
If the vendors are on vacation, their voicemail or webpage should say
so, and a courtesy call back even too late doesn't hurt. Business
works two ways -- respect gains respect. I've had occasional similar
experiences. I tend not to call back those that are unreliable
communicators. A few people are part time, "kitchen" type operations,
or just plain hobbiests like me, and when that's clear, I'm far more
accomodating -- I'd want the same thing! Full time business though,
come on, answer the phone or return calls! (or accept email).
-
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Bruce,
Cheapest/easiest way to clean a spark plug is with a little carb cleaner and
sand paper. Spray off any carbon/residue with carb cleaner. Use the sand paper
to reveal a clean shinny surface on electrode and electrode ground. Check the
gap and re-install. There are also devices that will blast an abrasive material
(basically sand blasting for spark plugs) around the entire electrode area to
clean the entire surface. You can pick one of those up from Harbor Freight on
sale for around $15-20.
Spark plugs today are made to last a long time. Most likely a simple cleaning
on a set that only has 2000 miles is all that is needed.
Nick,
Alfano Performance
4849-76 st.
Kenosha, WI. 53142
262-308-1302
262-942-8271 after 6pm central and weekends
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:15:18 -0400
From: Bruce Griffis
To: "AMC, Rambler, Nash, Jeep and family"
Subject: [AMC-list] Clean the sparkies, or replace
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
What's the best way to clean spark plugs? Just scrub 'em? Use a little
brake cleaner? Or since they're cheap - just toss and go?
I've got my rebuild kit and replacement float on the way. I had
requested them by phone at one AMC shop, but got no call back. After a
week I placed an online order at another AMC s. shop, but got no
confirmation on the order and my card was never billed. I sent a
follow-up e-mail with no response, so finally went with The Carburetor
Doctor. Didn't want to go outside AMC vendors, but had to this time.
(no meanness - they're probably just out at shows or taking
well-deserved vacation time)
Anyway - parts are on the way. I pulled the plugs and they are very
black from running rich. I'm figuring I'll check the distributor cap,
rotor, plugs, spark plug wires, air filter and tune it when I pop the
rebuilt carb back on. (Pertronix, so it should be easy). Just trying
to decide between cleaning the plugs or replacing them.
(I'll probably just replace the whole shooting match and keep the old
stuff in a box in the trunk "just in case") - it's only got maybe 2K
miles on 'em. What's the general thought? Replace and save as backup,
or clean and go? Tom - what plugs are you running in your 195.6?
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i will have to go look at the numbers on them, but i found some platinum plugs that work great in a decent tuned 196 with a hot coil. right now im running a procomp 6al box, with an msd blaster 2 high out put coil on those platinum plugs. carb tuned pretty good. other than the rod knocking, casper runs stinkin AWSOME with that ignition system, fresh rings/hone job ect. well, as awsome as a 196 can i guess. if anyone is interested, i will get that platinum plug number. i have found when running high power coils, the normal plugs seem to burn the electrodes faster. platinum plugs are meant for todays cars that have high power coils and all that jiberish. i love them.
dave stohler
www.picasaweb.google.com/das24rules