Read my spark plug [pics]

Posted By: pacifica

Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 04:19 PM

So I raced my car Wednesday night and I took a plug out to inspect today.

Any opinions on how it looks like it running based on the pics?

There is a red color on the porcelin center that I am wondering about

Attached picture 5419107-1968hemichoke036(Small).jpg

Attached picture 5419107-1968hemichoke036(Small).jpg

Posted By: pacifica

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 04:21 PM

pic #2

Attached picture 5419113-1968hemichoke037(Small).jpg

Posted By: pacifica

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 04:22 PM

Last #3

Attached picture 5419115-1968hemichoke038(Small).jpg

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 04:34 PM

You need to look down in the porcelin to see what its
doing

Posted By: pacifica

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 04:50 PM

Quote:

You need to look down in the porcelin to see what its
doing

Mr P. The porcelin looks the same all the way down [identical from top to bottom]

The metal or ground inside looks slighty black with just a few small build up spots [very minor]

Posted By: radar

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 06:29 PM

I'm no expert, but I'll give it a shot. Maybe it'll 'spark' a discussion featuring more experienced opinions.

The plug looks decently clean, so I'd say you're close to a good tune. The rim looks slightly fuel or oil fouled- maybe you're pushing a little oil in there at WOT, but not crazy. The tip of the strap doesn't look like it is running quite as hot as you want, but hot enough to run pretty clean. No signs of leanness or detonation.

OK, how'd I do?

radar

Posted By: Quicktree

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 08:14 PM

oil, oil and more oil

Posted By: Quicktree

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 08:17 PM

forget the porcelain, maybe this will help you

http://cochise.uia.net/pkelley2/sparkplugreading.html

Posted By: Quicktree

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 08:20 PM

hard to tell but the base ring looks wet black, if so it's oil. if it's dry black sooty it's rich

Posted By: Quicktree

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 08:22 PM

the red color is probably the fuel you are using but tells little about the tune..

Posted By: Garceau

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 08:32 PM

How much idling around have you done since the last run?

Posted By: dartman366

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 08:32 PM

Quote:

forget the porcelain, maybe this will help you

http://cochise.uia.net/pkelley2/sparkplugreading.html

that is what I base my plug reading's from also, look's a little oily to me also.

Posted By: Bigcube

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/15/09 08:37 PM

Another good read is here

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 01:08 AM

If it shines after several runs there is oil in the combustion chamber

Which will slow the car down compared to no oil in the chamber. I agree on the red color, probally fuel dye and being run a little rich at one time or another

Posted By: BobR

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 01:29 AM

You really need a spark plug magnifying tool to correctly read your plugs. You can't always see tiny specks of aluminum, ect with the naked eye and it's these small specks that tell tales.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 01:52 AM

here also
http://www.4secondsflat.com/Spark_plug_reading.html
this is how I've been reading my plugs for years

Posted By: 11secondC

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 02:49 AM

Ok so after reading all 3 links...the first link says ground strap shows heat range and the other 2 links say it shows timing...so which is it?

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 02:54 AM

Quote:

Ok so after reading all 3 links...the first link says ground strap shows heat range and the other 2 links say it shows timing...so which is it?

This is the internet... you might get some more ideas
BUT I've use the strap as a timing indicator... as
in the link I posted

Posted By: pacifica

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 02:57 AM

Thanks everybody, been gone all day, took the car on a long cruise with 2 friends just got home. Will read all the links you guys supplied. Thanks again!

Also those were not new plugs and they have been in the car for at least a year/2k miles.

Posted By: 68roadrunner

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 04:10 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Ok so after reading all 3 links...the first link says ground strap shows heat range and the other 2 links say it shows timing...so which is it?

This is the internet... you might get some more ideas
BUT I've use the strap as a timing indicator... as
in the link I posted

i also use the stap to check timing. on gas that is. iam getting ready to run my fist alky motor, how will this affect it?

Posted By: Garceau

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 12:27 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Ok so after reading all 3 links...the first link says ground strap shows heat range and the other 2 links say it shows timing...so which is it?

This is the internet... you might get some more ideas
BUT I've use the strap as a timing indicator... as
in the link I posted

i also use the stap to check timing. on gas that is. iam getting ready to run my fist alky motor, how will this affect it?

Alky makes it harder to read, it will burn considerably cleaner because it doesnt have any additives in it. I run NGKs with alky and many use the threads to judge it. You will have to google it up and see what I mean, cant think how to explain it right now.

Posted By: mcat4321

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 02:35 PM

i would guess you are running an octane booster by the color, it looks alittle fat to me.. plus the tip of the strap looks like it is hot, maybe try a cooler plug. the timing mark on the strap should be right on the arch/bend and i would say your valve seals are going ..but im prolly wrong

Posted By: B1KILLER

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 02:50 PM

LOOKS LIKE OIL TO ME

Posted By: blownzoom440

Re: Read my spark plug [pics] - 08/16/09 03:25 PM

the fact that it has 2K mile on it is a joke.the oil could be just from startup too rich or like said valve seals going...put some fresh plugs in it and check it a few times.