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Old 10-27-2019, 04:45 PM   #1
History
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Default Champion 3xs or other plugs?

My engine had the 3xs plugs when I got it and I wanted to ask if that's what I should run it? I didn't realize they were so expensive. Should I put them away and use a more modern plug because of that? I noticed that the plugs were getting covered in black (sut) and read that a hotter plug could remedy the problem. What would you fellows recommend?
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Old 10-27-2019, 05:05 PM   #2
rotorwrench
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

We pay over 100 bucks a plug for fine wire aircraft plugs. Even the heavy electrode ones cost around 35 bucks a apiece but they don't last a fraction of the time a fine wire plug lasts.

If your engine is running rich, it will even fowl a hotter plug. If it's using much oil it will fowl easier. I'm not sure if a hotter plug is available for the 7/8" tpi type plugs. It's more likely than the Model T 1/2" npt plug though. I don't know if any of the modern one piece type plugs are any better but they seem to work OK.
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Old 10-27-2019, 05:06 PM   #3
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

Hi History,


I use modern 'Iridium' plugs from NGK. The cold running is VERY better, and the fuel consumption goes a little bit down. The lifetime is about 60.000 miles if you use non leaded fuel.
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Old 10-27-2019, 05:15 PM   #4
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

Here is the Champion numbers. I use the W16Y Runs very clean and not expensive.

Champion (hotter down to colder):

W95D
W89D
W16Y
W20
W18
W14
W10
W85N
W80N
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Old 10-27-2019, 06:09 PM   #5
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

WMS - where do theChampion3X plugs fall in the series you listed ?

Thanks - JIm
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Old 10-27-2019, 07:44 PM   #6
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

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The 3x are about equal to the W-18 according to this info on Ford Garage. I'm running the W18's now, they seem to run better than the 3X with a 5.5 head (cheaper too!). The 3X seemed too hot for my setup.

Also the W-16-Y should be cooler then W-18 according to this info.


http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/brum...kplugnotes.htm

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 10-27-2019 at 11:10 PM.
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Old 10-27-2019, 09:33 PM   #7
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

I use champion W-18 for years, they work the best for me...
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Old 10-28-2019, 05:45 AM   #8
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

I've been using Autolite 3077 for decades. But now they are very hard to find and 3076 which are readily available are a bit too cold. I should have bought more [ 3077 ] when I could have.

Last edited by Patrick L.; 11-01-2019 at 11:29 AM.
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Old 10-28-2019, 07:30 AM   #9
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

Thanks Wmws. I've been looking for a listing like this. Would you mind if I added it to our Newsletter?

JP
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Old 10-28-2019, 08:32 AM   #10
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

That listing came from The Ford Garage web site as Y-Blockhead listed. There are other plugs shown on the website. I’m sure you can list it for your new letter. Maybe just mention the website.
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Old 10-29-2019, 08:19 AM   #11
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

Will a W89D W95D really work in our monsters. It doesn't look as though it will.
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Old 10-29-2019, 08:58 AM   #12
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

I would think the W89D and W95D would be too hot.
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Old 10-29-2019, 10:35 AM   #13
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

I used to play different spark plugs, would only put the 3X ones in for shows--- then about 30 years ago I left them in, got better fuel mileage and ran better, still using same ones, amortized over 30 years they are cheap

Most likely the original poster has a mixture problem, I have no problem burning the 3x white when I set mixture lean--- I did testing with emissions machine under load to know what gav setting gives good mixture on my car
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Old 10-29-2019, 10:54 AM   #14
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

The heat range list in post number 4 is incorrect . The W16Y is not hotter than the W18 or the -W20 . The W16 Y is mostly TOO COLD for the model A and will run black . If you don't believe it , then go ahead and try the W16 Y and you will se what I mean .

The heat rangelist in post number 4 is larry brumfield BS !!! Vince is just backing up the BS from his buddy larry .

I only post this to save some from wasting money on spark plugs that are TOO COLD .

Most that have used W16Y spark plugs in their model A will know this .
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Old 10-29-2019, 12:52 PM   #15
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

To be fair and accurate, the essay written on Model A spark plugs by Larry Brumfield as linked by "Y-Blockhead" should be read in its entirety, not just selected passages lifted out of context or clarifying words dropped. The pertinent section that relates to what has been used against Larry's experience and recommendations reads:
"Champion recommends the W-18 to be the modern replacement for the 3X as their heat ranges are fairly close. Concerning the W16Y, according to Champion, the W16Y, being a projected nose plug, 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 A’ers.
However, most people report that the W16Y runs cooler than the W18 on a Model A at any speed. [I added the bold face to emphasize the critical statement in this discussion] I doubt very seriously though that Champion’s engineers were using a Model A engine, as these plugs will work in several different engines, and their results would no doubt be determined under controlled conditions where the air/fuel ratio, spark intensity, 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 heat range tests and reach your own conclusions and opinions when running any of these plugs in a Model A engine."

Larry and Purdy, then, are in agreement about the heat range of the W16 plug as being colder than W18. I'm not sure what all the vituperative language is all about when someone agrees with you.

Note also that Larry states in parentheses next to the W16 plug in his list: "For Model A engines it [the W16 plug] ought to be nearer to W14". So he is saying the W16 in practice is not hotter than W18. It's closer to W14, which is on the cold side.

How all of this translates to BS is beyond me. I must be missing something. Rather than being classified as "brumfield BS", I'd say Larry's assessments are more a case of experience talking than of selective editorializing.

Marshall
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Old 10-29-2019, 01:06 PM   #16
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

As stated in post #4 I use W16 Y and it runs very clean. I have never had to clean a spark plug in my A. That is all I know.
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Old 10-29-2019, 04:13 PM   #17
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

I use Champion 18. Fairly priced at parts store. My engine runs well with them. Save the 3X for car shows.
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Old 10-30-2019, 07:04 AM   #18
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

Thanks wmws. I'll mention the site. JP
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Old 10-30-2019, 10:22 AM   #19
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

I've been using Champion W eighteen for several years and they run clean , not so with W sixteen Y .
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Old 10-30-2019, 11:09 AM   #20
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Default Re: Champion 3xs or other plugs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft View Post
The heat range list in post number 4 is incorrect . The W16Y is not hotter than the W18 or the -W20 . The W16 Y is mostly TOO COLD for the model A and will run black . If you don't believe it , then go ahead and try the W16 Y and you will se what I mean .

The heat rangelist in post number 4 is larry brumfield BS !!! Vince is just backing up the BS from his buddy larry .
I'm sorry but doesn't the article state that "W16Y (For Model A engines it ought to be nearer to W14).

The article also states "Concerning the W16Y, according to Champion, the W16Y, being a projected nose plug, is hotter than the W18."

"According to Champion!" I don't see any BS on the part of Larry or Vince.

Last edited by Ruth; 10-30-2019 at 11:26 AM.
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