NGK B2 Spark Plugs

[raycole]

I've had trouble with my spark plugs fouling a lot on my 641. It does burn some oil, but doesn't smoke much once it gets warmed up and working. But every time I've worked it the spark plugs always had a dry, black carbon crust built up on them. That was using AL437s.

I tried NGK B4L spark plugs and the same thing happened. Not quite as quick as an AL437, but still fouled quickly. I don't have it running too rich. I run it as lean as I can without it stumbling when it gets a sudden load.

Got a set of NGK B2 spark plugs in there now. I've worked it twice and checked the spark plugs after each run and the plugs are definitely getting up to a high enough temperature to keep themselves clean now.

Yes, I probably need to rebuild my engine and intend to some day because it does have a little blow-by (mostly at startup). But if someone else out there has troubles routinely fouling their plugs then I thought I'd put it out there that NGK B2 spark plugs (NGK3110) appear to work well..at least for me. If you do NOT have trouble with 'colder' spark plugs fouling then most definitely don't switch. But if you do have fouling troubles you might want to give it a try.

 

[souNdguy]

fluffy black is a rich sign.

ashen white is lean.

oily black is burning oil.

so far everything you have said still points to too rich a mix.

perhaps you have a vacume leak...

soundguy

 

[raycole]

Thanks for the reponse.

I agree that the colder spark plugs have the look of burning a little rich.

It idles at 450 easily, and spraying around the manifold with WD-40 doesn't seem to make any difference (maybe that isn't a good way to test, but I've used that test on some other vehicles to detect leaks - RPMs usually increase if there is a leak as the WD-40 gets sucked in). It doesn't smoke except right after startup (blue smoke then - burns away pretty quick). If I turn the main jet in just a little to lean it out then it'll stumble under load, so I think I've got that correct. It is right about 1 1/4 turns out.

The hotter plugs seem to work well in it though. I don't get any pre-ignition/misfire with them so I think they are going to continue to work out well.

BTW, this is a 641.

 

[Lumpy]

I agree with soundguy. Run a compression test. Your numbers will tell you a lot.

 

[souNdguy]

you can go with a compression test.. but I think after hearing all that she may be a lil laen and pumping oil and it is just buring off prety quick.

on a 134 gasser.. I'd go with anti foul adapters and hot plugs and not lean it out too much as that can cause excess heat.

soundguy

 

[raycole]

Thanks for the responses, guys!

 

[Hobo,NC]

Its not a vacuum leak for sure,,, I would make sure the thermostat is working as it should,,, autolite plugs have sold their sole... You made the right move to go with the NGK plugs...

 

[raycole]

It warms up pretty quickly (thermostat isn't stuck open). I installed the thermostat new about 2 years ago. It didn't have a thermostat when I first bought it.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Then move on to the compression test. I do not use band aids like anti-foules

 

[960man]

just thought i would put this out there.i read somewhere that my 960 with a 172 required AL7 ford plugs originally.i"m a tech at a ford dealership and found out that AL7 crosses over to a motorcraft SP437 and you can still get them.

 

[souNdguy]

yeah and not all of us are pro mechanics with 50K$ of tools out in our garage and all the stuff to rebuild one head to toe in a week on stands...

some of us need a working tractor that smokes a lil and has 10$ of AF's on her that are for sure a bandaid.. but get you by for quite a while.. especially if you have a 9$ spark plug cleaner and keep a set of plugs to swap out every year or so.

remember.. this is a hobby forum.. not a auto shop or nascar shop... some people NEED the bandaids..

soundguy

 

[Hobo,NC]

Certainly they do,,, cuzz they are not interested in how to fix it right... Accept the EZ way and move on,,, course they they can not afford good tools,, only the ones that can make tools make them money could understand that...

 

[raycole]

Yep I use my tractor mostly for keeping my place maintained. Have about 10 acres that I try to keep cut nicely and a driveway to maintain. From time-to-time I use it for other tasks. It otherwise has a rather easy life. I intend to rebuild the engine some day...but given the cost of rebuilding it, it just really isn't a high priority with me right now. It has more than enough power for what I use it for. My financial priority is with my daughters right now. The tractor is a hobby for me. I've done a lot of things to get it fixed up from what it was when I bought it. I've learned a lot working on it. I'm interested in fixing it up correctly. But financial priorities are what they are... A cheap set of plugs keeps things happy for now. Needs the rear main seal replaced for sure...and does have a fair amount of blow-by. Another year or two I'll hopefully have the money to rebuild...and you have no idea how much I'm biting my tongue right now not to state anything political

 

[souNdguy]

i'm sure all of us would love to have a 100% factory restoration with all original NOS parts and all.. every bolt turned..e tc.. type of restoration.. unfortunately.. 95% of us can't afford that and we have work tractors..

soundguy

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 22:07:39 02/19/11) i'm sure all of us would love to have a 100% factory restoration with all original NOS parts and all.. every bolt turned..e tc.. type of restoration.. unfortunately.. 95% of us can't afford that and we have work tractors..

soundguy

I sacrifice,,, drive a cheap truck so I can have nice tools :WINK: ,,, never had a complaint from folks when their chit is fixed right. I have brought a few tractors that were farmerized with plug foulers ,,, they went for the kill and installed them on all the plugs,,, both I cleaned the carb and relined the tank removed the foulers and they have gave good service,,, dum chits tried to cover up a problem with black magic...