might as well change spark plugs

[ek_lektro]

i’ve got some Bosch Platinums that look kinda burnt, last changed about 8 yrs (20,000) miles ago.
The burn might be because the distributor was gummed up, running too advanced (and for who knows how long).
((Sure, maybe these plugs could clean up OK, but a few of them look a bit borderline, with the tips looking a little pitted.
Anyway, I’m changing the cap/rotor and wires today, so why skimp on the plugs?))
The GMCMI parts digest lists a bunch of compatible plugs with .080 gap (for the ’76 455 engine).
So... should i buy a set of these and gap them at .045? .060?
or should i buy different plugs that are already gapped at .045?
Not sure if it makes a big difference, so any info appreciated, thanks!
Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles

 

[Jim Hupy]

Unless you like to replace electronic components, do not gap ANY spark plug
at .080". .040 is way better. .045, is ok, but absolutely NO LARGER.
Jim Hupy

On Tue, Jul 23, 2019, 4:00 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist
wrote:

> i’ve got some Bosch Platinums that look kinda burnt, last changed about 8
> yrs (20,000) miles ago.
> The burn might be because the distributor was gummed up, running too
> advanced (and for who knows how long).
> ((Sure, maybe these plugs could clean up OK, but a few of them look a bit
> borderline, with the tips looking a little pitted.
> Anyway, I’m changing the cap/rotor and wires today, so why skimp on the
> plugs?))
> The GMCMI parts digest lists a bunch of compatible plugs with .080 gap
> (for the ’76 455 engine).
> So... should i buy a set of these and gap them at .045? .060?
> or should i buy different plugs that are already gapped at .045?
> Not sure if it makes a big difference, so any info appreciated, thanks!
> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[chris tyler]

Check on the heat range, you may have a little too hot. Was it pinging under load?
THe original recomendations for HEI was 60 theoreticllay to help lean ignition [and in some applications a ridiculous 80 gap!] but thats hard on
components.
I run 45 with a patterson setup. I believe thats wht he recommended.

--
76 Glenbrook

 

[Jim Hupy]

Dick Paterson and I sing off the same sheet of music. What Dick says, you
can take to the Bank.
He likes those expensive spark plugs, though. (Grin)
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or.

On Tue, Jul 23, 2019, 4:54 PM Chris Tyler via Gmclist <

> Check on the heat range, you may have a little too hot. Was it pinging
> under load?
> THe original recomendations for HEI was 60 theoreticllay to help lean
> ignition [and in some applications a ridiculous 80 gap!] but thats hard on
> components.
> I run 45 with a patterson setup. I believe thats wht he recommended.
>
> --
> 76 Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Ken B]

I installed a set of AC Delco #7 plugs about 15 years ago gaped at .040 which is what Dick Paterson recommended at the time. AC Delco changed
supplier and he now recommends a different one made by the same supplier and the previous AC Delco #7s. I pulled a couple of plugs once just for
grins and they look new. If someone does not post his new recommended plug #, I will go see if I can find it.

BTW, .040 is a lot easier on the the coil and module and no mater what plug you use I would use .040" or .045" gap on it.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[scott nutter1]

I believe they are the NGK iridium IX.https://www.amazon.com/NGK-IRIDIUM-Spark-Plugs-7355/dp/B0043BIFZE
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas

 

[scott nutter1]

8 New NGK IRIDIUM IX Spark Plugs XR5IX # 7355 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043BIFZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_ramoDbJA080WZ
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas

 

[emerystora]

Here is what Dick Paterson told me way back in 2012.

The spark plug issue was that AC DELCO changed suppliers for their spark plugs and the Rapidfire #7 'platinum ' plug was still made but was no longer a 'needle point' style similar to a Bosch -it now comes as a regular plug configuration in the electrodes .

Here is what Dick Paterson said
> I like the features offered in the Bosch style so I crossed to NGK (who used to make plugs for AC Delco) .
> I have been using NGK for several years on my oval track 355 chev customers ---tune and set-ups and they are a first class plug.
> There are 2 levels for the OLDS/GMC heat range application----first is an NGK "V" groove XR5 or the premium series NGK # XR51X (7355).
> I would check the gap and look for .038-.040----- if not avail locally ----both available from Summit on line .
> regards dick

I purchased the XR51X at O'Rielly's. They ordered them and had them in one day. The same price as Summit but without the high handling charge.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> I installed a set of AC Delco #7 plugs about 15 years ago gaped at .040 which is what Dick Paterson recommended at the time. AC Delco changed
> supplier and he now recommends a different one made by the same supplier and the previous AC Delco #7s. I pulled a couple of plugs once just for
> grins and they look new. If someone does not post his new recommended plug #, I will go see if I can find it.
>
> BTW, .040 is a lot easier on the the coil and module and no mater what plug you use I would use .040" or .045" gap on it.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[emerystora]

It makes a big difference. GM had recommended .080 because of some problems they were having with misfiring.
But .080 will burn up you module quicker.
Nowadays we use .038 - .040.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> i’ve got some Bosch Platinums that look kinda burnt, last changed about 8 yrs (20,000) miles ago.
> The burn might be because the distributor was gummed up, running too advanced (and for who knows how long).
> ((Sure, maybe these plugs could clean up OK, but a few of them look a bit borderline, with the tips looking a little pitted.
> Anyway, I’m changing the cap/rotor and wires today, so why skimp on the plugs?))
> The GMCMI parts digest lists a bunch of compatible plugs with .080 gap (for the ’76 455 engine).
> So... should i buy a set of these and gap them at .045? .060?
> or should i buy different plugs that are already gapped at .045?
> Not sure if it makes a big difference, so any info appreciated, thanks!
> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[john r. lebetski]

AC Delco R46SZ copper. No fancy platinum. (Platinum is useless as ground electrode still burns away gap widens . Only dual platinum are worth it as
designed for new vehicles). Gapped at .038.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II