TO30 Spark plugs

[smrtnez]

Just curious on what brand and type spark plug do you prefer to run in your TO30 tractor? My starter just went out so I am dropping it off later to my local electric motor shop to get rebuilt. And so I figured in the mean time I'd catch up on some maintenance on it.

 

[Jim L WA]

My TO-20 is running Autolite 386's I had to buy a 7/8 inch deep socket to remove them so I could clean and gap them. Turns out they were just fine.

 

[Jerry/MT]

(quoted from post at 15:01:30 12/26/22) Just curious on what brand and type spark plug do you prefer to run in your TO30 tractor? My starter just went out so I am dropping it off later to my local electric motor shop to get rebuilt. And so I figured in the mean time I'd catch up on some maintenance on it.

I have found that Autolite 3116 work best on the Z series Continental engines. phil(Va), a contributor to this forum, pointed this out to me about 20 years ago and I found it to be true for my TO-30 (since sold). The recommended Autolite 386 is a resistor plug and never performed that well for me.

 

[Tom Bowman]

I have used both Autolite 3116 and NGK AB-6. Both seem to work fine.

 

[Steve@Advance]

More important than the brand is to match the heat range to what the engine needs.

If it's tired and using a little oil, or never gets worked hard, the plugs run black, go with a hotter
plug.

If it is still a working tractor, they are clean and light brown, use the factory recommended.

The best time to check the color is immediately after running it, up to temperature, carb and timing
adjusted properly, and doing its typical work load.