Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Does altitude effect spark plug choice? #1614964
05/02/14 02:16 AM
05/02/14 02:16 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 733
Nampa, ID
MadMatt Offline OP
super stock
MadMatt  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 733
Nampa, ID
I'm doing my first tune up on my Dart since I moved from about 500 ft. above sea level to my current 2600 ft. above sea level. Would this change what I should select for a heat range? My motor is a 364 ci SB with ported 308 iron heads, about 9.75:1 compression, full length headers and Comp Cams hydraulic cam, and MSD 6AL with Blaster coil. I've been running Autolites or NGKs gapped at .050. Anybody have any specific suggestions?


Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
Re: Does altitude effect spark plug choice? [Re: MadMatt] #1614965
05/02/14 02:34 AM
05/02/14 02:34 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY Offline
Truck Nut
340SHORTY  Offline
Truck Nut

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
No, but you do need to address the carb jetting and possibly the timing.


I am truckless..
Re: Does altitude effect spark plug choice? [Re: 340SHORTY] #1614966
05/02/14 02:42 AM
05/02/14 02:42 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 733
Nampa, ID
MadMatt Offline OP
super stock
MadMatt  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 733
Nampa, ID
Quote:

No, but you do need to address the carb jetting and possibly the timing.




I was thinking of advancing the timing about 2 degrees to see if I can get a bit more cylinder pressure to make up for the altitude. Am I on the right track?


Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
Re: Does altitude effect spark plug choice? [Re: MadMatt] #1614967
05/02/14 02:45 AM
05/02/14 02:45 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY Offline
Truck Nut
340SHORTY  Offline
Truck Nut

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
Nope, will probally induce spark knock..


I am truckless..
Re: Does altitude effect spark plug choice? [Re: MadMatt] #1614968
05/02/14 02:49 AM
05/02/14 02:49 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,317
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,317
Bend,OR USA
Think about the spark plug and what it does at sea level and again at the higher altitudes I wouldn't be afraid to try another step hotter if your running a cold plug before, say a RN6YC compared to a RN9YC or a Autolite #72 or 73 switching to a #74 or a 74 I've done just the opposite of what your doing, ran the same motor at higher altitudes and then took it lower, one heat range colder made the differences of the motor pinging or not at the lower altitudes How do the plugs look now compared to what they looked like at the lower place?

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 05/02/14 02:42 PM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Does altitude effect spark plug choice? [Re: Cab_Burge] #1614969
05/02/14 03:05 AM
05/02/14 03:05 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 733
Nampa, ID
MadMatt Offline OP
super stock
MadMatt  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 733
Nampa, ID
Quote:

How do the lugs look now compared to what they look like at the lower place?




Haven't actually pulled them yet. I figured I'd go parts shopping tomorrow and then do a tune up on the weekend, but I guess it would make more sense to pull a plug and have a look first.


Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
Re: Does altitude effect spark plug choice? [Re: MadMatt] #1614970
05/02/14 11:50 AM
05/02/14 11:50 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
R

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
As said with the thinner air drastically lowering the density which is going to change cyl psi/pinging point I would retune the dist/carb. Get the carb reasonably close (A/F ratios) then fine tune the timing: initial/same total (if correct now)/springs/vac adv. then fine tune the carb a bit more as needed. (1) staying just under the pinging point (2) correct or near correct A/F ratios


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1