Got an Education on Sparkplugs today.

Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member
I stopped by my local independent autoparts store today to get a new set of plugs for the 310 dozer.It had 2 AC-C86s and two Champion D16s in it when I tor it apart.
He asked what was in it, and I told him. Also told him that I didn't want new champions, as everyone condems them. He asked about the condition of the plugs which I told him had deposits on them. He asked if the deposits were black carbon, and I said yes, and continued to tell him that the rings were shot, and now I have all new pistons and sleeves, plus a completly rebuilt head with all new seats, valves, rotors, and guides. He is not your typical auto parts guy. He asked if the engine was a 148, without going to any books or computer. Probably now you guys are thinking "wow", but He has a really nice original VAC14 with M10 mower, and a nice original 311B with a 291B loader. (A Case Guy)
Getting back to sparkplugs, he told me that Champion now recomends D21 plugs which fire much hotter. The reason being that when D16s were recomended, we had leaded gas and the lead deposits on the plugs made them run much hotter. Today the plugs have a higher resistance to make them fire on no-lead gas, and required the ignition system to be in top condition, to fire them. He said that Champions were just as good as any other brand on the market, as long as you used the proper heat range plug, compared to other brands, in the same heat range. (Apples to Apples comparison). He said way too many people go to TSC and other places and buy what their outdated manual said was recomended.
Anyway what he told me made sense to me, but he did sell me a 4pack of 386 Autolite plugs, that were less than 8 bucks includeing tax.
Loren
PS-- don't pay any attention to the untitled link highlighted below. It has started to show up on my posts and have no clue why.
Untitled URL Link
 
Loren;
I have taken to running about the hottest Autolite plugs in my antique AC engines. Work good. I suppose if one was hooked to a plow all day that would make a difference. I have 180deg. thermostats in them, but any heavy use is only momentary.

AC engines NEVER liked Champion spark plugs.
 
Yes I know. It just shows up sometimes when I make a post. I don't key in a URL link or try to post pics. It's got me swinging, cause there are times I would like to post a URL link and don't know how to do it.
Loren
 
I have been using C86 in my old Masseys and Wisc. etc. for years and an occasional D16, had good luck with both of them, they are a little on the cool side, recommended for severe service. Few years ago I got talked into Autolite 3116's there equivalent to a C87 or a Champion D18Y, there recommended for normal service, they work good to, can't tell any difference. I have never read any thing about leaded or unleaded gas, seems to me it would require a hotter plug to stay clean with leaded gas. If I remember correctly A/C and Champion are owned by the same company, Autolites are made in Mexico. Just installed a set of 3116's today in an OH job.
 
As the guy explained it to me the lead deposits retained the heat in the electrodes of the plug and basicly made it like one of todays hotter plugs, but without lead in the gas nowdays the D16 became too cool of a plug in older engines.
Loren
 
In 1978 I had a lot of trouble with spark plugs. During a service school we had a presentation by a rep from champion. I asked him about the problem and he told me to go to use projected tip plugs. So instead of D-16 use D-18Y. The spark plug problems all went away when I did that.
 
Loren, Campion plugs were made in Toledo, Ohio then they moved, I still buy some but the quailty in not the same. I purchased a set for my mini van an 3 of the 6 were faulty. Now I mean insulator broken, 3 eletrodes pushed shut. Took them back to the store and showed the sales person, He gave me replacement plugs. Ask him if they send them back he said no they do not have a person to look at things .
Jerry from Ohio
 
I've had bad luck with all heat range Champions and autolites my best luck with Farmalls and Cases is AC C-87. Just my opinion. Paul
 
Albert Champion started both Champion Ignition Company, late re-named AC Spark Plug and later AC Delco when General Motors acquired them and Champion Spark Plug Company.
 
I have used AC's, Champion's and Autolite. I have never had a problem with any of them unless I drop one on the concrete floor.
 
I have run Champions for years. My Dad was a mechanic for IH his whole life and swore by champs. I have run D21's in both my dc's and all my IH stuff and even out a set in my 38 Allis b hand crank. I have never had any problems with the champ's. The tractors all start easily and runs clean.... That's my 2 cents worth ..Kenny
 
We used to run lots of Champions. But a couple decades back quality went way down. It's not that they don't work, it's just that they're often cracked or otherwise poorly made IME.
 
The only problem I have had with champion plugs is twisting them off at the base. The AC plugs seem thicker at the base than champions.
 
Just fixed a buddies Husky chainsaw. Just quit while sawing firewood. No fire. Took plastic cover off plug and cranked and whole plug shaking around. Center porcelain broken loose and leaking compression so bad it had no compression. Junk plug and not that old because Huskys didn't come with Champion. Could very easily dropped electrode down in cylinder and caused catastrophic damage.
 

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