spark plugs found this

[kwisor]

What is in your Model A Ford? How are your Plugs Burning?




Submitted by rlawson on Fri, 2011-07-15 22:04


The above picture shows a comparison of the replacement plugs with the Original 3X and a NOS C-4 porcelain (just for more reference). The BEST match for the Original 3X turns out to be the W18. The second is the TT10/3076, which appears to be a little better match with the C-4 and then the W16Y, which is the COLDEST of the plugs. Also note the hair crack in the above C-4 porcelain. This could cause a misfire plug.

The above picture shows a comparison of the W18, and the Original 3X with the 3077/TT11. As can be seen, the porcelain cone is significantly longer than the W18 which means it is a hot-hot plug which may be used for an oil burner or a rich runner. If you have a bad running car, the first thing to check is what plugs you have AND does it run a little rich (probably not very good mileage either). Try the W18’s.

Now the question is… How are YOUR plugs burning?

If your porcelain is…

WHITE…Too hot a plug
TAN/LIGHT BROWN…Just Right
BLACK…Too cold a plug

Recommended spark plugs for the Model A:

Reproduction. Champion 3X - $27

Champion W18 (Equal to Champion 3X - $13

Autolite 3076 (Hotter than W16Y) - $2.50

Motorcraft TT10 (Same as 3076) - $4



NOT Recommended for the Model A:

Champion C-4 (Ref. Ford S/B Aug. 1932)\

Champion W16Y (Equivalent to C-4) (Too cold) - $9



900 – 1500 deg. F. is the optimum heat range for plugs.

A 10 deg. spark advance from a particular advanced position will raise plug temperatures by 150 – 200 deg. F. For example assume that you have advanced the lever to a 20 degree advanced position and the engine is running at a certain plug temperature, then further advance the spark 10 degrees to a 30 degree advanced position (about full advance), then the plug temperature will go up an additional 150 to 200 degrees.

Spark plug gap for a standard compression Model A is .035". Reduce plug gap to .030” with 5.5 of higher compression ratio.

The insulator nose length of a Champion 3X is 0.875” - just right for the “A”.

Note: The reproduction 3X plugs have a terminal nut that is smaller than original; however, all the “A” supply houses carry the correct nuts for a few cents each.

[C26Pinelake]

Are these accurate prices today? Wayne

[Ray Young]

It might be just me but I don't see any pictures.

Ray

[700rpm]

O'Reilley's was selling 3X for about $19.70 ea. a couple years ago. They also offer a 2% senior or veteran's discount. Not much, but something.

[katy]

NOT Recommended for the Model A:

Champion C-4 (Ref. Ford S/B Aug. 1932)\

Champion W16Y (Equivalent to C-4) (Too cold) - $9

That's strange, where I lived (Winnipeg, Manitoba), back in the '50s, Champion C-4 were the preferred plugs for a Model A.

[emf]

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Originally Posted by kwisor

NOT Recommended for the Model A:

Champion C-4 (Ref. Ford S/B Aug. 1932)\

Champion W16Y (Equivalent to C-4) (Too cold) - $9

I thought the C4 was the replacement for the Model a in 1932 when the Model B engine hit the streets. Can you explain why the C4 is not recommended?

Frank

[barnstuf]

The August 1932 Service Bulletin has an entire page devoted to spark plugs. Because the V8 engine introduced in 1932 had the same thread size for spark plugs as the Model A and the Model B, many feel that the C-4 spark plug which was introduced for the 1932 V8 engine was also a replacement for the 3X spark plug. The 1932 Service Bulletin explains this situation and for that era recommendation was the 4 cylinder Fords continue to use the 3X. Yes, it is true that as the years went by the spark plug manufacturers pushed the C-4 over the 3X for their own business purposes.

[goodoldvic]

C-16C's run nice also, I went with a little colder plug, Blue Crown 2's with a 5.5 head on my car and they run nicely also. I've run the C-4 w/o issue.

[Tinbasher]

Good info, I'll do some follow up.

JP

[emf]

I hope I'm not the only one confused with this last post...

Box is marked 18-12405-B. The paper below the photo shows the use of B-12405 and 18-12405. Do the paper instruction just above the C4 plug pertain to the C4???

Frank

[goodoldvic]

Yes they do, they come with the NOS C-4 plugs

[SeaSlugs]

I think i bought the champion 3x off amazon a few years ago for $16 a piece... Ebay has some interesting good buys on old sparkplugs right now BTW (im not selling)

[Mike V. Florida]

How to determine the temperature your plugs are running;

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...83&postcount=1


Heat ranges of plugs;

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...20&postcount=1

[wmws]

this is how my W16Y plug looks. Does it look OK to all you plug readers out there? I hope the picture comes through.

[JOHN CT]

Originally Posted by Ray Young

It might be just me but I don't see any pictures.

Ray

Yep I've been checking for the pictures and still can't see them. But anyhow I've tried all sorts of plug types and I have the best luck with the Champion 3x

[larryf]

Look pretty good. I wouldn't change