Darn autolite plugs

For those using the higher output ignitions, it is smarter to go with the premium spark plug...(platnum, V-groove, etc.), they can handle the hotter, as you call it, spark. Yet for us with the old points still in, .035 gap, Autolite 46 (hotter plug than the 45's) and at $1.80 for two, you just can't beat that. From a poor-man's point of view. And on top of that, my 200 still runs smoother than the EFI engine in my work truck. Have a good one.

Kirk '73 bronco
 
I hear that. My next stop is going to be at the parts store to pick up some plugs. I have a feeling these stock Autolites will probably burn up a bit faster with a hotter coil anyway. I wanted to give the new coil a shot to see how it worked. They were just changed out a couple of weeks ago, so they are brand new.

It works great, it will work even better with new plugs.
 
well we covered alot about spark plugs, but how about the distributer cap...i use a brass stud one rather than aluminum, but it still seems to foul up rather quickly with some sorta black stuff, is this normal or does it have to do with where the timing is set at or what?
 
Hey Slade, what gap are your plugs at? ANyone else with a DSII/MSD /hot coil combo..same question.
 
I set mine at .058, but I just did the upgrade today, so it's too early to tell.

Runs like stink now, the way I think an engine should run. I'm probably gonna put some NGK V-grooves in and watch them for a while.

I also need to get a cap with brass contacts, that seems to be a given with the higher voltage.
 
Thanks for the comment guys.
Car SEEMED to be OK after new plugs, but I swapped in an old but serviceable Carter YF that was gathering dust.
Big improvement especially in the low end range.
Wondering if I should just use it, but I don't know if they make an electric choke conversion. Original is electric choke with vacuum pulloff and bowl vent back to gas tank.
Can I just convert the Carter to electric and not worry about vent line?
Thanx in advance.
 
Tex, the Carter YF is a good, reliable carb. I ran one on my 70 Maverick, I had no probs with it.

You might just wanna use that one for a while and rebuild your Holley. I rebuilt the Holley on my Fairmont when I bought it, and it's been a champ ever since. They're real easy to work on, and plentiful if you need another one.

Go ahead and convert to electric choke, mine works fine, starts even on the coldest days, fires right up.
 
OK, update on the plugs.

I had Autolite 46 in it, gapped to .058. Only reason I gapped it that big, some of the guys on the Eagle forum had tried theirs at .060 in the 258 I-6 and had no probs. It ran fine for a couple of days, but then started running rough. Pulled the plugs, very white, def too hot. Regapped to .050, made no difference. Plugs probably fried at this point. :evil:

Replaced the plugs with Autolite 45(colder), gapped to .050. Runs even better than before. Next step will be better plugs, just gonna play with it for a couple of days now. I'll probably go with Autolite Double Platinums, they work really well in my Aerostar, get over 50k on them easily.

Many thanks for all the comments we've read on this thread. You guys' experience is invaluable to us neophytes.
 
Well I work for a ford dealership and let me tell you a little thing I have learned......... when we have a vehicle come in for a miss then the first thing we look at is plug brand if it is autolite we look no farther and throw plugs in it, 85% of the time this fixes it, the other 15% we kinda figure that is is the plugs and wires before we start (they usually have cheap autozone wires on them). So my advice is don't use autolites the only other brand that is worse are the gimmicks like Bosch +4's and shit like that.

The best thing I have found (and some will laugh)

1. Non-Nitrous Bosch platnums
2. Nitrous Bosch coppers (cooler heat range depending on amount)
 
What kinds of probs are you seeing with the Autolites? Or do you just assume they're crap and you go ahead and put the high buck dealer plugs in them? I want to make it clear I'm not flaming you, I'm asking a legitimate question.

Shoot, I put over 50k on the last set of Autolite Double Platinums I had in my Aerostar, and they didn't look too bad when we pulled them out.

On the Bosch coppers, I agree, I used them quite a bit in the imports I've owned, they performed well.

I figure spark plugs are kinda like religion, people sometimes get into some interesting arguments over them. I don't adhere to any brand loyalty, I just use what works for me.
I'm still debating what I ought to be using with this hotter coil.
 
Well as far as the actual problems with them from what I am seeing there are 2 differant problems one is the heat range seems off on them (often will see "stock" heat range autolites white, or to hot) and the elctrodes will be burnt off, the other is an actuel break in the plug for no apparent reason. by break I mean an internal problem where there is not continuity between the tower (where the plug wire attaches) and the ectrode, not sure why but it seems to be pretty common on autolites and I haven't seen this problem with any of the other major brands.

Well obviously being a ford dealership we use motorcrafts and I think the last ones I put in where about $1.75 each so yeha they are more expensive, but not that bad, but it isn't the price factor that I am talking about it is just my experiances with them.

Yes you are right plugs are just like religions everybody has their own beliefs and gets pissy when you start questioning them ;) I am not saying change them if you have them and they are working, heck if it ain't broke don't fix it, I have seen several sets of autolites working great, I am just saying don't ever rule out a miss as being caused by the plug even if they are new.
 
Thanks, gopher, now I'll know what to watch for. I was only joking about the "high buck" dealer plugs. ;)

I'm wondering about the heat range, I think you have a point about the Autolites. I suspect they won't hold up to the higher voltage coil.

So, is the group consensus to go with Bosch platinums or NGK V-groove?
 
63DropTop":1jcxiidi said:
Hey Slade, what gap are your plugs at? ANyone else with a DSII/MSD /hot coil combo..same question.
Click to expand...

Here is my set up:

DS2
8mm wires
Flamethrower coil
MSD Digital 6+
Bosch Platinums
9.5:1 CR

With that, I've tested quite a few gaps. I would open them up from .035 and keep opening them up .005 at a time until I went too far. I've found that for my set up that .052" seems to be the best gap for that set up.

Slade
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Bosch Platinum 2 Plugs
Replies
5
Views
588
StrangeRanger
S
A
spark plugs
Replies
13
Views
2K
Anonymous
A
T
Mustang Update:
Replies
15
Views
2K
Anonymous
A
Back
Top