FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

I just spent "too much" time on the web "researching" Champion "Ford" plugs, including reading about litigated cases touching on Ford's manufacture of plugs being in restraint of trade as it were. What years was the name "Ford" emblazoned on Champion plugs? I found no hard evidence on the subject. Inquiring minds, and all that... Lawson

Re: FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

Lawson, no documentation has been found on the Ford script plugs, which are otherwise identical to the two rib H10 “coke bottle” plug, starting with the 81A block of 1938, replaced by the five rib plug during WWII. They may have been offered only as a service replacement, but even that is uncertain.

Re: FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

Thanks Alan. I certainly couldn't find anything. No wonder. LOL

Re: FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

C-4, C-7, and 7 Champion three-piece plugs with Ford in block letters on the insulator likely existed back into the '32 model year through the '37 model year, which was likely the last year for three-piece (take apart) Champion plugs. Surviving examples aren't common, but not especially rare either.

Re: FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

Alan is spot on within his response.
I am only guessing here but came to the conclusion (possibly incorrectly so) that the reason so little documentation exists on this is because most of the prints, etc. were held by Champion, not Ford.
Lord knows, I'd searched and searched and came up with nothing in regard to FORD on the plugs.
Dave, what do you think? Am I full of poopy or might there be some merit in my theory?

Re: FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

Lawson, the 1985 V8 Times Vol 22 No 6 Nov/Dec has a 5 page write up on the champion spark plugs,with pictures of the plugs used from the model T through the 37 Ford.

Re: FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

Mike,

There's no doubt in my mind that the engineering drawings for the spark plugs were created by and proprietary to Champion in Toledo, Ohio. However, usually in such cases of supplier-designed components duplicates of the drawings and most certainly the engineering release forms were part of Ford's records. In the case of Champion spark plugs my confidence in this is based on having seen engineering drawings and engineering release forms for the running changes in both four-cylinder and V8 spark plugs during the '32-'34 model years in Ford's archives. (Unfortunately, I was looking for type changes [3X to C-4, C-4X to C-4, and C-7 to 7] rather than for the absence or presence of FORD on the plug porcelain cores.)

Re: FORD spark plugs, by Champion
 

Thanks David. I always appreciate and value highly, your input.
I did find drawings for the H-10's but nothing on them relating to FORD being placed on the porcelain.
That omission made me lean in favor of FORD being service plugs. Still, with no proof, I'd made mention in my book the possibility of them being factory installed and / or service parts.
I suppose, at least for the moment, we will have to accept the fact that we do not know for certain one way or the other.