cleaning spark plugs

[krumpelsaurusrex]

I just replaced my spark plugs because my truck started running real rough, and then not at all. The plugs were completely coated in carbon, and I am assuming the fuel mixture was set to rich. After replacing the plugs with new ones, it seemed to run great. Drove it for about 10 miles, and it keeps stalling now, and running rough. I am going to set the fuel mixture on the carburetor with a vacuum gauge so the mixture is correct, however I need to pull the plugs again because I am almost positive they have some carbon build up on them. Can I just brush them off with a wire brush and re-gap since they only have 10 miles on them if there is carbon buildup?

Also with a 360 and electronic ignition, what is your preferred gap setting?

[jesseb24524]

If you clean them with some sort of oven cleaner they will work better but not as well as new. choke being stuck open can also turn them black, what kinda plugs are they?

[krumpelsaurusrex]

i can't imagine them being to built up, 10 miles shouldn’t do to much to them... I would think. I have a Holley Carb with electric choke (199R-7948-5) so I assume the choke is being taken care of. I am running the basic Autolite 45 Copper plugs. This isn't a daily driver for me so I didn't see the need to go to platinum plugs.

[jesseb24524]

then you can wipe them clean and re gap them if you need. platnium cant be gapped because you will remove the platnium on the plug if you do so. mine was an electric choce but it is broke and has a cable which would some times pop out and choke would open when i was driving. i went through two sets of plugs before i figured out the problem

[jesseb24524]

stall can be the points have you changed them the chilton manuel recomeds that every 12 months also maybe the fuel filter. if the plugs are sparking then it could be a fuel delivery problem. carb ect..

[krumpelsaurusrex]

I have a Mallory electronic ignition system, so no points to deal with. There is a cable that runs from the intake manifold into the cab, I think this is the choke, however it is not hooked up. I just assumed it was overridden by the new carburetor.

[krumpelsaurusrex]

Also the in line fuel filter is clear. I have not been able to remove the filter on the pump. I tried by hand to remove it, but it would not turn, I am going to need to get a small oil filter wrench to remove it

[70_F100]

If you do decide to clean your plugs, DO NOT use a wire brush.

The brush will leave small (almost microscopic) particles of metal on the plug, and when they fire, the spark will jump to these particles, giving you a weak spark.

[krumpelsaurusrex]

If you do decide to clean your plugs, DO NOT use a wire brush.

The brush will leave small (almost microscopic) particles of metal on the plug, and when they fire, the spark will jump to these particles, giving you a weak spark.

Thanks for the tip! It makes sense! I will refrain from the wire brush. I'll probably pull them this evening or tomorrow.

[mrsnicks]

I've seen a "tool" at my friends workshop. It has some type of material in it (I assume sand) , and allows you to hook up an air hose and screw in the spark plug and it "sandblasts" the spark plug clean. Not sure what it's called or where he got it.


Did a google search and found Harbor Freight carries them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... zmap=32860



Patrick

[george worley]

Back in the day a lot of small garages had thosw type plug cleaners. the Mobil station in my home town had one. I used to pull my plugs and take them up there and clean them myself. If I bought gas from him he didn't chargefor the use of the cleaner. I have been told that it rounds off the electrode and pits the porclean. I guess it depends on how long you "blast" the plug. I thought it did alright. I had some gas fouled plugs on my truck a while back and I cleaned them with carb cleaner. The porclean was still black but after I ran them a few miles they looked like new.

[Banjo]

If you're just cranking it on rare occasion and not really running it, that's why your plugs are fouling, not having a chance to burn off contaminants. Run it 30-40 miles non-stop and let it cool and pull them and see if any difference.

[flyboy2610]

If you're just cranking it on rare occasion and not really running it, that's why your plugs are fouling, not having a chance to burn off contaminants. Run it 30-40 miles non-stop and let it cool and pull them and see if any difference.

Gas prices now a days that's a weeks worth of paycheck!
I just finished changing mine out this afternoon, and they all looked clean except #4 & 5. I recently installed a Pertronix Ignitor and new cap/rotor combo. The truck runs pretty good! I am thinking that it may have been arcing inside the distributor cap between the 4 & 5 posts, causing a spark that wasn't strong enough to burn off all the junk.