Spark plugs?

[marty in Ohio]

Mikes Affordable Parts sells a W 18 plug (part number A12405). Snyders sells a W 16 Y plug with the same part number. Both are Champion. Is Mikes plug hotter or better?

[Patrick L.]

You should be able to get whatever sparkler you like at your friendly local spark plug store. I prefer the extended tip plugs. I tend to like Autolite 3077.

[mshmodela]

I believe there is a thread that states W16Y plugs are a hotter plug and W18.... I own both types and and running W16Y as the Motorcraft TT10 but were too cold.

[goodoldvic]

HOTTER DOWN TO COLDER - Spark Plugs
For those who may be interested, the following 7/8"-18 spark plugs will fit the Model A and were available as of a few years back. They are also not all the ones that I know of.

Champion (hotter down to colder):

W95D
W89D
W16Y
W20
W18
W14
W10
W85N
W80N

Also the original 3X and W18 which Champion lists as norm. Also according to Champion, the W16Y is hotter than the W18 at low speed but cooler at high speeds over 5500 RPM....(over 5500 RPM? ... maybe Speedy ED J, Pete, George Miller, Dennis Pierce would be interested... maybe even Brent)

Motorcraft (hotter down to colder):

TT15 (the same as Champion W89D)
TT10 (the same as Champion W14)
TT8 (the same as Champion W14)
TT4 (the same as Champion W10)

Autolite:

3076 (the same as Champion W14 and Motorcraft TT10)

Mopar (hotter down to colder):

P-9-7S
P-9-6S
P-9-5S

Prestolite (hotter down to colder)

78-10
78-8

Stitt (hotter down to colder)

137 BSP
197
147 B
13/10

Range is a key word when one speaks of heat range.

Reading these Champion numbers is not real difficult. For example, W20 or W18, etc.:

The W is the shell design and it always means 7/8-18.

I should also add that Champion has made changes over time. For example a C-16C, used in many a Model A, starts with a C, BUT it is a 7/8-18 plug. It was discontinued about 1979 and replaced by the W16Y. There are many like this.

The number is the heat range and the lower the cooler (unless other letters immediately follow, like Y for example, which depending on the letter or letters can change or affect the heat range):

1- 25 = Automotive and small engines

25 - 50 = Aviation

51 - 75 = High Performance

75 - 99 = Industrial and Special Applications


Larry B.
Last edited by Larry Brumfield; 06-30-2010 at 12:40 PM.

[Greg Jones]

I know Larry B has posted this before and he certainly is not prone to making things up but my experience has been that the W16 actually runs colder than the W18. I also find that the W18 runs subtley different (hotter?) than the 3X. Now, those are just seat of the pants conclusions from driving and running the car so not terribly scientific. Larry is quoting Champion and I am guessing they know what they are doing. Just saying, with my setup (HC heads 5.5 and 6.0) that is my observation. YMMV

[edmondclinton]

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Originally Posted by Greg Jones

I know Larry B has posted this before and he certainly is not prone to making things up but my experience has been that the W16 actually runs colder than the W18. I also find that the W18 runs subtley different (hotter?) than the 3X. Now, those are just seat of the pants conclusions from driving and running the car so not terribly scientific. Larry is quoting Champion and I am guessing they know what they are doing. Just saying, with my setup (HC heads 5.5 and 6.0) that is my observation. YMMV

I was reading tonight on the Ahooga site where Mr. Brumfield posted basically the same info to one of his customers but he also had the following to say:

"Here is a list of a few 7/8"-18 plugs and the heat range according to the manufacturers. Also, according to Champion, the W16Y is hotter than the W18 or even a W20 at low speed but cooler at high speeds over 5500 RPM... which obviously will never apply to most Model Aers.

Moreover, most people report that the W16Y runs cooler than the W18 on a Model A at any speed. However, Champion's results would no doubt be determined under controlled conditions where the air/fuel ratio, spark intensity, etc., etc. would be near perfect which is not the case for most Model A's. So it's still best to use the following as a general guide but do your own tests and reach your own conclusions and opinions when running these plugs in a Model A."

[marty in Ohio]

Wow!
Thanks guys. That's more info than I expected. Goodoldvic, it looks like you've done your homework. This gives me a lot to think about.
Marty

[Fred K-OR]

Another basic question about plugs from the guy that needs help.

Does it depend on the type of driving a person does? In other words if a person makes short drives (maybe less than 5 miles), should a person use a different plug that a person that goes 50 miles or more in a drive?

Thanks

[mshmodela]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Another basic question about plugs from the guy that needs help.

Does it depend on the type of driving a person does? In other words if a person makes short drives (maybe less than 5 miles), should a person use a different plug that a person that goes 50 miles or more in a drive?

Thanks

I recall in Les Andrews' book that shorter trips need a hotter plug...

[Anteek29]

I've always been told that shorter trips need a hotter plug.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

Wow!
Thanks guys. That's more info than I expected. Goodoldvic, it looks like you've done your homework. This gives me a lot to think about.
Marty

I suggest you buy at Autozone or TSC and save the shipping. Wayne

[Fred K-OR]

Thanks guys. I need a new set so will get to it.

BTW is there an easy way to clean a plug other than using a wire brush on it? You can see I don't know what I am doing.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

...BTW is there an easy way to clean a plug other than using a wire brush on it? ...

With one of these:

[Fred K-OR]

CarlG, looks like a great idea. What is the brand name or where does a person get it?

Come to think about it, I had one something like that years ago.

[CarlG]

I got mine on eBay, that picture is from Harbor Freight. I've also seen them on Amazon.

[Quigley1930]

I bought one from Harbor Freight and the hole for the plug was way to small. It came out as I was trying to insert the plug. Took it back and they returned my money.

Sewall Tyler

[marty in Ohio]

A friend of mine also found a plug sandblaster, but the hole was too small. We just put a couple slits in the rubber so that the big plugs fit in it. Works good.
Marty

[Quigley1930]

Thanks Marty, I may get another and give it a try

Sewall

[Tom Wesenberg]

I use my regular blast cabinet to clean plugs.

[glenn in camino]

I run restored Champion 3Xs.