C-1 Spark Plugs
My 59 230 HP PG has AC 45 in the car now. I just pulled one to check the condition and they nice and clean. The owners manual calls for AC 44 for town and country driving and AC 46 for city. There are no issues with the plugs, but was wondering if the engine might run a bit cooler with the AC 44's. The engine was rebuilt about 8 years ago ad is 0.30 over As long as the car is moving air through the rad is runs around 180-190. Traffic is a no no. Any thoughts
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Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
No keep the 45 plugsFounder - Carolinas Chapter NCRS -
Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
Don't think the plugs will have any effect on you running hot in traffic. Many threads on here about overheating problems - lots of things to check. Good luck.Comment
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Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
Stay with the 45's or 45S's. They help burn all that corn on your gas tank.
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Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
Agree with the others the plugs are not your overheating problem. Timing, old radiator, fan relation to shroud are just afew things to check. As mentioned before there are several articles on this subject.Comment
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Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
The heat range of the plugs has nothing to do with either the temperature of the coolant or the heat of the spark. It simply means the rate at which the plugs retain/lose their heat. A hotter plug tends to hold heat longer and tends to "self clean" better. However, a plug too hot will cause pre-ignition (pinging) and is not good. For Chevrolet engines a 5 heat range is probably the best unless high rpm's are a regular event such as for racing or constant highway driving and then a colder plug might be better. Big block cars originally came with 3 heat range assuming the car would be used hard.
JeffComment
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Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
Jeff, the heat problem is a problem. I have a 59, 230hp, all original. I am in Oklahoma where a good day in summer is only 90 degrees. I have spent hours on a Sun machine setting distributor curves. I have a new Dewitt direct fit radiator. I have closed all gaps between the radiator and the fan shroud. I have a higher flow 5 blade fan. When i come to a long stop light the temp goes straight up. I finally broke down and installed an electric fan with a thermocouple and when the car gets to +/- 200 degrees the fan kicks in. My theory, fwiw: these cars were built to run on leaded gas. Even if you can find non-ethanol in your area, we are lucky we have it everywhere, you are still not getting "leaded". You are getting "gasahol". Of course I have to have an alternator to handle the amperage for the fan.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.Comment
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Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
E10 has nothing to do with your heating problem unless the engine is detonating. Neither does spark plug heat range. High engine temps can always be traced to cooling system component issues and the spark advance map. You appear to have a good radiator and fan, and spent "hours" on a Sun distributor machine, but how is the distributor set up.
Does is have an OE equivalent cam? What's engine vacuum at idle speed... format as xx" @ yyy RPM?
What VAC is installed, and does it pass the "Two-Inch Rule"?
DukeComment
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Re: C-1 Spark Plugs
I know this is kinda rair but your talking 50+ year old motors, are you sure you are getting good flow thru the motor? A friend had this overheating problem until hr had the motor rebuilt. The place that did the rebuilding said they never saw a block so full of crud. Just a thought, but I agree that throwing new parts at it is not always the answer, start with the basics. These cars did not have heating problems as a rule when new!Comment
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