Although most of our customers now run diesel engines, a significant number still operate spark ignited gas engines. These engines are often found in lift trucks, as auxiliary engines in older sailboats, and even power generation plants running on digester gas produced in land fills. This Tech Tip, one of a number we publish, deals with the care and maintenance of the lowly spark plug. Old timers may chuckle as we go over familiar ground, but read on.

Removing Plugs

First, clean out the dirt around the base of the plug with compressed air to avoid it falling into the combustion chamber. Remove the old plug carefully from a cool head with a steady continuous pressure. Be careful not to use too much force which could result in stripping of threads and/or breaking the top of the plug. Once out, inspect the plug for the condition of the installation and the color of the deposits. Wet, oil soaked plugs are as bad as dark, soot laden plugs. If the present plugs are going to be re-used, carefully clean the threads and apply some anti-seize.

Installing the Plugs

Use a wire type spark plug gap measuring tool. Check your owner's manual for the recommended gap and then carefully thread in the new plugs by hand. Tighten with a torque wrench to the specs given below.

Once clean, re-gapped plugs are back in, check your wires. Ignition wires will deteriorate after a couple of years exposure to heat, oil, grease, and vibration. New premium wires are an inexpensive way to upgrade your system. We recommend and stock ACCELL ignition wires. They're a favorite of performance people. Premium wires will go a long way to enhancing engine performance.

Another upgrade worth considering is to convert from a point style distributor to a solid state. See Foley Tech Tip # 26 for a discussion of our solid state conversion kits. Finally, many customers have reported good success with ACCELL Super Coils and electronic spark enhancers.

Please call, fax or email us with any questions.