Spark Plugs

Hello,

Wanted to see what my fellow Deere 2 cylinder collectors do about spark plugs. I have a 1946 B, I use it mainly for snow removal and odd jobs around the yard. Run times vary, though I try to get it to operating temps. I was told AutoLite plugs burn hotter then Champion plugs which i formally used. I find I go through plugs every couple of years. Wanted to see what plugs everyone is using. Currently cant remember what number the plugs are, can get that later. Thank you in advance for your advice.

(quoted from post at 07:25:48 01/09/20) Hello,

Wanted to see what my fellow Deere 2 cylinder collectors do about spark plugs. I have a 1946 B, I use it mainly for snow removal and odd jobs around the yard. Run times vary, though I try to get it to operating temps. I was told AutoLite plugs burn hotter then Champion plugs which i formally used. I find I go through plugs every couple of years. Wanted to see what plugs everyone is using. Currently cant remember what number the plugs are, can get that later. Thank you in advance for your advice.

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I would try to raise the operating temperature by swapping the thermostat or by shielding the radiator with something rather than play around with the spark plugs. If the plug is fouling then try a hotter plug. JMHO's.

I run autolite 388 which are to be the heat range of Champion D23. The 388 is also a resistor plug which is not to be as good for magneto's but I never had any issue with them. I also run copper core plug wires too.

I used Delco C87's in my B when I had it, and they seemed to do ok. Until I rebuilt my carb, I had to change plugs daily because they would foul out unless I was pulling her guts out. Took the fouled ones, and used a torch to clean them off and they were good to go. If you want to go a cheaper route, try a new set of points and condenser. That helped me somewhat, but since you're only going through a set every couple of years, it might help. I change the plugs in my Farmall's every spring as part of regular maintenance anyway, so I'd think what you're experiencing is normal.

Mac

(quoted from post at 15:25:48 01/09/20) Hello,

Wanted to see what my fellow Deere 2 cylinder collectors do about spark plugs. I have a 1946 B, I use it mainly for snow removal and odd jobs around the yard. Run times vary, though I try to get it to operating temps. I was told AutoLite plugs burn hotter then Champion plugs which i formally used. I find I go through plugs every couple of years. Wanted to see what plugs everyone is using. Currently cant remember what number the plugs are, can get that later. Thank you in advance for your advice.

Click to expand...

I would disagree that one brand is hotter than another. Every brand offers their product in different heat ranges. If the manufacturer's specification no longer works because of engine wear or other variables, every brand has hotter or colder plugs available for the application.
Personally, I try to stay with Champions for Chrysler, AC for GM, and Motorcraft for Ford. Anything else I just buy whatever is available. I've had bad plugs out of the box, but not often and not just one brand.
Just curious: have you tried cleaning and reusing your plugs? There are air-powered plug cleaners out there. I've used my sandblaster to clean them. Works ok.

The John Deeres never had a thermostat. And never had good luck with Champion D21 that was hooest we could get and that was working daily under full load, Autolight way better but don't remember number. Had a 46 & 49 B, 38 & 51 A & 51 AR and that was what we had for heavy field work. Spring put in new plugs, first day clean at noon, second day new plugs again, noon clean again, supper time clean again. These were the Champion D21. Switched to TSC brand, did not touch plugs again for 2 years. So know it was plugs and not something else as doing nothing but changing brands and nothing else and not having to touch the plugs again for over 2 years still pulling same plows.

Auto-lite 3116 is what I use. Ron MN

One summer I helped get five gas tractors going again on tractor drives with the hotter Autolite 388 plugs, and I drive a diesel. Not fun when a friends toy stops running right and can't pull the hills when needed.

My case dc is known to be particular about plugs. From way back I know that champions won't work and other case guys will say the same. I don't know what's in there now, but they have been in there at least a decade and work fine.

Never had luck using Champion plugs in my older JD tractors. Use Auto-lite 3116 or equivalent with very good results

For the later B's with the 18mm plugs if its a Magneto I use NON RESISTOR and that in Autolite would be 3116 which is in the heat range as 386 and 388 resistor plugs. If its a battery powered coil distributor and for whatever reason you wanted resistor plugs Id go with the slightly hotter 388 versus the stock 386.

HOWEVER whats more important (then brand of plug) to reduce plug fouling on old Deeres is to use shutters or air restrictors or thermostats etc to get and keep the temp up and above 180 or so plus don't run the carb any richer then absolutely necessary and insure the air cleaner and piping is free of obstructions and the choke opens fully.

John T

I may as well throw in my few cents worth in also. and I don't want to write a big long story. I have quite a few of these old tractors from the 1950's like over 30 running ones. I would say 90 percent have champion plugs in them. plus these tractors came from factory with champions. when I buy plugs I ask for champions. few years ago I bought a w400 . I checked the plugs and compression in it as I always do in my stuff. it had 3 champions and 1 autolite in it. but the autolite was seized in the head. I used a long breaker bar trying to get it loose. then it broke off at the threads. I thought ooh no now i have to remove the head. but anyhow I got my easy outs and worked at it for a few hrs. and did get it out, without removing head. the thing I am pointing out here is that the autolite plugs have less metal around the porcelain. I compared both champion and autolite by breaking them down and the champion is a better built plug.
but for fouling now, these tractors never get worked long enough to even get hot and turn the plugs brownish grey, as a plug should be burning. plus the carbs are never adjusted for optimum performance, once the other settings are done, compression check, valve lash, points and timing. I have john deere's also. and when running they with a steady rythem or beat at idle. no misfiring. they have champions in them also. I don't care what plug you have , once it gets fouled and black it will not fire properly. plus plugs can be cleaned in a sand blaster and the electrode is to be filed flat then regapped to spec. you want the electrode flat not rounded from use. this gives you the best spark. I have pulled many plugs out of the garbage can and used them. as for autolite or champion I don't see any difference in engine running using the same heat range plugs.

(quoted from post at 10:25:48 01/09/20) Hello,

Wanted to see what my fellow Deere 2 cylinder collectors do about spark plugs. I have a 1946 B, I use it mainly for snow removal and odd jobs around the yard. Run times vary, though I try to get it to operating temps. I was told AutoLite plugs burn hotter then Champion plugs which i formally used. I find I go through plugs every couple of years. Wanted to see what plugs everyone is using. Currently cant remember what number the plugs are, can get that later. Thank you in advance for your advice.

Click to expand...

No plug will stay "clean" if the coolant temperature is below 195F .
Our 60 parade tractor has non functional shutters . I am getting close to removing the mechanical fan and installing a 12V pusher fan and a 210F stat .

I used to plow snow with out '51 A and could never get it up to temperature. Back when FIL was farming he plowed snow all winter and it ran worse and worse. At pring plowing time it took a few acres to get it cleaned out. Forget Champions, I don't use them in anything any more. I've broken exactly two spark plugs in my life and both were Champs.

How about a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator sized so as to give you about the right temp?

I use NGK AB-6 in my stock G pulling tractor. It doesn't get up to temp or run very long usually and they seem to work good.

I'm probably the only guy in the world that uses Champion plugs. Use them in my 45 "B" and 45 "AR". They work fine for me. The "B" gets used the most for everything from hauling firewood to working food plots. My main reason for using Champion is that the hex that you put the wrench on sticks out of the head a little further on the Champion. easier to get a wrench on. Very rare to have trouble with either one.

I'm probably the only guy in the world that uses Champion plugs. Use them in my 45 "B" and 45 "AR". They work fine for me. The "B" gets used the most for everything from hauling firewood to working food plots. My main reason for using Champion is that the hex that you put the wrench on sticks out of the head a little further on the Champion. easier to get a wrench on. Very rare to have trouble with either one.

Back when our 51 A was the loader tractor and field tractor dad ran AC C86 plugs. The A was relieved of loader duty in 1970 so this was awhile ago and a lot of you know what our gasoline was like 50 years ago. Those were the days of the white inside of the muffler. The tractor would foul the plugs once during the winter. When I ran it in the winter I closed the radiator shutters, when dad ran it he opened the shutters (grrrr). When field work came around the plugs never gave trouble. It had a Delco distributor by the way. We ran C86 s in the 630 too and never fouled a plug but the 630 was the work horse back then. Then I got hold of some D16 Champions for free and I gave them a try. No difference compared to the ACs. Then the new gas came to be and Champion D18 became the plug of choice. The D18s have given me good service, I have not replaced them since I dont remember when. But I am not recommending or promoting Champions just because they work for me. If these Champions conk out I will most likely be throwing in Autolites just because they have to be good if they are Autolite.

I'm with you ! I have a tattoo of a Champion plug !