Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

[Chester C.]

In other words, will an R45 plug cause an engine to run hotter then an R43 thus raising the temperature of the fluid in the radiator.

[Michael W.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

No. The only thing that runs hotter are the tip of the centre electrode and part of the ceramic insulator. Such plugs are used to keep the electrodes free of deposits.

[Leif A.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

And, you want to run the R45...the R43 is much too cold a plug for normal driving.

[Mark E.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

And, you want to run the R45...the R43 is much too cold a plug for normal driving.

I thought R43 is the normal heat range plug. For example, isn't R43 the standard plug for 1970?

[Michael J.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

Depends on the engine, my '64 L76 uses a 45.

[Mark E.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

Right, it depends. So doesn't this mean Chester needs to select a heat range matched to his engine and intended use?

There are some good threads in the Forum about this.

[Michael W.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

43 heat range has proven to be one step too cold for many cars. 44s would be just right but can be hard to find so many owners choose a 45 as it's not too hot.

Why am I thinking of Goldilocks and the Three Bears all of a sudden?

[Donald O.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

[QUOTE=Michael Ward (29001)
Why am I thinking of Goldilocks and the Three Bears all of a sudden?[/QUOTE]

Oh Mikey......
Play nice now or you'll be sent to your room without dessert.

DonO

[Gene M.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

I found I like the non resistor extended tip 44. They run nice on 327 in my 65. It has flat top pistons. I'm not sure of there usage in dome piston engines. Most driving is highway or country roads.

[Chester C.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

They are telling me they don't have the 44's anymore, that the 43 is the same as a 44. According to my 62 owners manual (can't find my 63 manual) that for town and country driving use the AC 45. My engine is a 327/300

[Mark E.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

There are some good discussions about this in the "similar threads" below. For example, in "C3: Need a hotter plug?":

All sixties vintages 327s called for AC44s, but they are too cold for the street. AC45s are just right, so I suggest you go with R45s or equivalent.

The TI will create a spark on plugs that are too fouled for a single point to fire, but 43s are way too cold for the street. I used 43s when I hot lapped Kent with my L-76 SWC back in the sixties, and they were a good heat range for road racing, but they would literally foul on the way back home.

Duke

[Frank D.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

You want the 45s.
I don't know who "they" are but they're wrong...

If you use the 43s then buy some 45s at the same time as you'll be doing a swap very soon....

[Stuart F.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

What ever works for you. I've used 44's in my L-76 63 Convertible all it's life (47k). The last time I changed was about year 2000 or 2001. I'm planning to change plugs one last time when the weather cools down. I'll be using NGK B6 S's (AC44 heat range). If they work as well as the AC's and last 15 years, well I won't. So that's why this will be my last plug change. Why do they last so long for me? Try electronic ignition for starters. I'm only changing now because I am afraid the AC's will rust into the heads. I used to use Champs which may have lasted even longer and not rusted in.

P.s. Maybe they run cooler in convertibles.

Stu Fox

[Frank D.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

I actually run NGK-XR4s in both cars. I've seldom seen plug brand changes make an operating difference...but i swear both cars idle smoother and a tad more responsive swapping from the AC to NGK plugs...

[Michael W.]

Re: Do hotter plugs cause water in a C2 radiator to run hotter

Oh Mikey......
Play nice now or you'll be sent to your room without dessert.

DonO

Hey- Dyno Don! Get back to work, right now. Who else is going to prove that the laws of physics apply to everyone?