Spark plug recommendations?
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Topic author - Posts: 472
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:15 pm
- First Name: Wayne
- Last Name: Jorgensen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout, 1918 Runabout
- Location: Batavia, IL
- MTFCA Number: 31697
- MTFCI Number: 23399
- Board Member Since: 2013
Spark plug recommendations?
I have a 1915 with the stock head and would like to know what spark plugs folks recommend. The vendors sell adapters for plugs with 14mm threads. The 14mm plugs are less expensive, do they perform as well? Thanks.
Wayne Jorgensen, Batavia, IL
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout
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- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
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- MTFCI Number: 23667
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
Edison 14s if you can find them. I am running a set of them in my 1924 and they stay cleaner than the Champion X plugs I used to run.
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
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- First Name: Jeff
- Last Name: Humble
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian built coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, survivor 1924 roadster
- Location: Charlevoix, Mi
- MTFCA Number: 28034
- Board Member Since: 2006
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
Champion x
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- First Name: Dave
- Last Name: Hanlon
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
You can find new repo Campion X or the replacement, (forget the number) on Rockauto pretty reasonably.
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- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Treace
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
Champion 25 is good long reach for Model T cyl head, better than Motorcraft 1/2” plugs. Just take care to finger tight the terminal nut, electrode is glued. But same is true to preserve any plug terminal post, just snug the nut with finger to lock on plug wire terminal, hold nut and then backward twist the wire terminal to tighten. Never use pliers!
As for adapters, IMO, they keep the plug too high, poorer ignition, you want the spark deep into the compression chamber.
As for adapters, IMO, they keep the plug too high, poorer ignition, you want the spark deep into the compression chamber.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
- First Name: Bob
- Last Name: Coiro
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
- Location: Commack, NY
- Board Member Since: 2009
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
There seems to be some kind of mystique surrounding old-stock Champion X spark plugs. When reading about these plugs on the forum, I can faintly hear the sound of angels singing and herald trumpets blowing.
So I purchased a set of Champion X plugs and used them to replace my ordinary, run-of-the-mill, Motorcraft F11 plugs. Surprisingly, the engine didn't like the Champions. It ran rough and with noticeably less power, so I put the Motorcraft plugs back in and the engine was much happier.[/size]
So I purchased a set of Champion X plugs and used them to replace my ordinary, run-of-the-mill, Motorcraft F11 plugs. Surprisingly, the engine didn't like the Champions. It ran rough and with noticeably less power, so I put the Motorcraft plugs back in and the engine was much happier.[/size]
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- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
- MTFCA Number: 28924
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
I guess it depends how correct you want to be. I think there is a ‘mystique’ about Champion X plugs but I have had just as good service with Motorcraft. And they are a lot cheaper. I have some old Western Auto plugs and they run fine. I took them out of my 21 Touring just to keep them and put the Motorcraft back in and they run just as good as the old Western Auto plugs.
To each his own. Same thing goes for motor oil, transmission bands and etc.
I’ve come to the conclusion that each T likes certain things better than others. Seems that way sometimes.
To each his own. Same thing goes for motor oil, transmission bands and etc.
I’ve come to the conclusion that each T likes certain things better than others. Seems that way sometimes.
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:20 pm
- First Name: David
- Last Name: Nebelsky
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
- Location: Valencia, CA
- MTFCA Number: 49476
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
I've been using Champion 25's in my 1915 Touring with no problems. I would like to find a good set of X's just to give them a try.
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- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
Many plugs are fine. Among new plugs, Autolite 3095 is probably the least expensive (about $12 a set). Those are a good cheap start for awhile, but I've had them fail in less than a year. The Champion 25 fall-apart plugs sometimes come unglued and fall apart. I can't report on the new Champion X plugs because they're too ungodly expensive for me. Even at Rock Auto, probably the least expensive source, they're about $100 for a set of four. Yes, really.
Original Champion X plugs from the teens and twenties are often very good after you clean them up, and can often be found at swap meets for $5 each or less. They sometimes also turn up on eBay.There have probably been over a hundred brands of plugs made for your T, and some of the old ones as as good today as they were a hundred years ago. I'm currently running a set of the old Splitdorf ivory plugs, and they're fine. On the other hand, the Splitdorf green plugs look neat but rarely work.
I often use original Champion X plugs because they are plentiful, cheap, and functional. They were Ford OEM equipment, so they outnumber other old plugs by a lot. Here's a page on those: http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG95.html
If I needed new plugs I would use the Autolite 3095 while looking for original X's on eBay or at swap meets.
These are working OK for me.
One of these days I'll try some Horseshoe or other old brand plugs. I'm still hunting for enough of those Edison 14's to make a set.
Original Champion X plugs from the teens and twenties are often very good after you clean them up, and can often be found at swap meets for $5 each or less. They sometimes also turn up on eBay.There have probably been over a hundred brands of plugs made for your T, and some of the old ones as as good today as they were a hundred years ago. I'm currently running a set of the old Splitdorf ivory plugs, and they're fine. On the other hand, the Splitdorf green plugs look neat but rarely work.
I often use original Champion X plugs because they are plentiful, cheap, and functional. They were Ford OEM equipment, so they outnumber other old plugs by a lot. Here's a page on those: http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG95.html
If I needed new plugs I would use the Autolite 3095 while looking for original X's on eBay or at swap meets.
These are working OK for me.
One of these days I'll try some Horseshoe or other old brand plugs. I'm still hunting for enough of those Edison 14's to make a set.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
I was chasing a drivability issue this summer, turned out the float level was low.
I took out an early NOS set of Xs and tried a older new set of Autolite 3095s. No problem with them, but I think I will put the Champions back in next spring.
I took out an early NOS set of Xs and tried a older new set of Autolite 3095s. No problem with them, but I think I will put the Champions back in next spring.
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
If price is important (you mentioned 14mm were less expensive -not counting the inserts) consider to buy from RockAuto (AUTOLITE 3095 < $2.50; CHAMPION 525 <$8+). Spark plugs are only as good as the rest of the ignition system.
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
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- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
As John Regan has occasionally reminded us, laying the plugs out on top of the engine isn't a real spark plug test. It doesn't show you whether the plugs actually work in the car under compression. A plug tester is the tool for that.
70 psi is more pressure than you're likely to have in a Model T. If you get a good spark there, it's good to go.
The center dot is the actual spark. The two little ones are reflections.
A lot of old plugs clean up very nicely.
70 psi is more pressure than you're likely to have in a Model T. If you get a good spark there, it's good to go.
The center dot is the actual spark. The two little ones are reflections.
A lot of old plugs clean up very nicely.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:52 am
- First Name: Reuben
- Last Name: Kugel
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring 1926 RAJO Speedster
- Location: Pewaukee WI
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
I have run both the Motorcraft F11 and Autolite 3095 in both my Ts. The F11 just seems to run a little better than the 3095. At least in my Ts. Both cost about the same.
1915 Touring
1926 RAJO Speedster
1926 RAJO Speedster
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- First Name: Marty
- Last Name: Bufalini
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring
- Location: Michigan
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
Ok, so let's hear from those using the Edison 14s. I was lucky enough to find a box of ten NOS of these but have yet to try them. I'm running the Champion Xs now.
Thanks
Thanks
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- Posts: 2385
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
- MTFCA Number: 30944
- MTFCI Number: 23667
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
The engine in my 1924 has a stock high head and nominal compression ratio aluminum pistons. I run a Truefire ignition and gap my plugs to 0.030". The Champion X plugs I originally ran fired OK, but would look sooty after a few hundred miles when I took them out to inspect them. I switched to the Edison 14 plugs and they stayed clean, which implies to me that the Edison 14s are a hotter heat range than the Champion X. After inspecting the Edisons a few times, I finally decided to just leave them in and have run several thousand trouble free miles without touching them. I have not run into any pre-ignition or after-running issues that might be indications of too hot a plug.
Am I running my carb (Kingston L4) too rich? Possibly, but I have tried leaning it out and when I do I start getting lean misfire problems at Idle.
Am I running my carb (Kingston L4) too rich? Possibly, but I have tried leaning it out and when I do I start getting lean misfire problems at Idle.
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
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- Posts: 1922
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- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
I use spark plugs in my Model T, and can highly recommend them !
"Get a horse !"
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- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Jablonski
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
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Re: Spark plug recommendations?
Mark and Marty... I do run a set of Edison for teens in r26 runabout and also very pleased with their performance. We also installed a set of Edison 14's in the 22 touring at the Edison estate in West Orange New Jersey, and also no problems noted. I have always set the Gap to 0.025", and also observed by Mark the Edison 14's do run a lot cleaner then the champion x plugs. Availability of NOS Edison 14's is getting very scarce. If you do find used they do clean up very good and will give good service.
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- Posts: 2385
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
- MTFCA Number: 30944
- MTFCI Number: 23667
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Spark plug recommendations?
Edison 13s will also work in a T, but they are even harder to find than the 14s. The 13s are physically larger and have dual ground electrodes. I have no experience with how they run.
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)