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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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spark plug help!!!
Houston!!!....I'm scared we have a problem!!....
can you fine gentlemen help me troubleshoot my plugs '67 250, petronix ignition, single barrel rochester, timed 10*, not road worthy yet i've been tinkering and reading the forum until spring break; when i plan on painting. i will "tinker" and start my pickup just to run it and dream of cruising'. i started noticing the dreaded fuel smell in my oil. i've read the threads about this and plan on a new fuel pump. today i wanted to look at the plugs to see what they would tell me about how things are going so far. here's where you guys punch me with some knowledge...... plug 1, 2 and 3 have lots of soot. 4 is starting to clear out and 5 and 6 look brand new any thoughts for a rookie
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" Last edited by stevenfromtexas; 02-09-2018 at 07:22 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
#6
also.....gap set at .035
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" Last edited by stevenfromtexas; 02-09-2018 at 06:39 PM. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Post a picture of your engine , Starting it and running for a few minutes won't allow it to get up to operating temp so playing with it for a few minutes will result with soot on your plugs, unburned fuel . rotate the plugs to see if there is any difference , what type choke is on it ? be glad it's not oil
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#4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
yes sir....
it does smoke for a little while (white) until it warms up. from what i've read that is fairly normal. i'll take some more pic after i change the oil and fuel pump. it is a manual choke
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bowser
Posts: 13,621
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Re: spark plug help!!!
You need to change that oil cap out for a breather type cap.
Your pcv won’t work otherwise. If you don’t there’ll be some oil leaks from blown gaskets. |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Quote:
i just looked up a breather style fill cap...thank you!! ill be getting one this weekend
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#7 | ||
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,177
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Re: spark plug help!!!
The gas in the oil could be bad rings. How old is the oil?
I'd do a leak down test before changing anything. https://mobiloil.com/en/article/car-...-leakdown-test And here is a guide for reading spark plugs yourself. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/about-n...d-a-spark-plug Both of these responses are also great. Quote:
Quote:
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"Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
oil is actually a year old. i scribed the oil filter a year ago this month.
i've only started it occasionally just to hear it run while i was doing other things (wiring, brakes,......), 10 minutes at a time give or take... thank you for the link about the plugs. the first and second pic look like mine. i was worried there were other things happening internal that would constitute a big set back...( machine shop )..... ![]()
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
"leak down test" is this a compression test? if so, ok i'll try that.
my apologies........i went back and looked at your first link
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Campbellsville, KY
Posts: 888
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Re: spark plug help!!!
If it starts and idles remotely right on all 6, don't judge anything about your engine's state of tune until you can drive it. And you aren't doing it any favors by just idling it repeatedly like that. It likely won't hurt the old 6 but it won't help it any, either - maybe once every few months, but even at that rate run it until the thermostat opens. Once you get it road worthy change the oil, take it out for a jaunt with some highway running, then pay some attention to your plugs.
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Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue. |
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#11 |
Senior Member
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Location: Gods country East,Tn
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Re: spark plug help!!!
I know you see a bunch of guys running those little air cleaners but I'd find one a little larger to help it breathe .
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Quote:
yes sir..... i'll look for a bigger one. thank you
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#13 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,404
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Re: spark plug help!!!
If it doesn't get run under a load, and experiences extended idling, the plugs can load up, especially with a manual choke. As was mentioned, get it on the road and under load, pushing wind. I bet it'll clean up. If you don't have water in the oil from condensation because the engine didn't get warmed up enough, that is good. Venting the crankcase via the PCV valve also removes those vapors. I've seen vehicles with foamy oil due to extended idling and not getting hot enough, especially near large bodies of water.
White when warming up is water vapor, most likely. Also, for the air cleaner, it looks like you need an oil filler cap that has a hose connection to go to a filtered air supply for the PCV valve. Look at some of the other 6 cylinder engines for examples.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#14 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Quote:
after that i'll only have a few things left before i can drive it...."fingers crossed" for june!!!!! ![]()
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Quote:
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#16 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Campbellsville, KY
Posts: 888
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Quote:
Hope you get her road worthy soon! That engine looks purdy. What kind of plugs are those?
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Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue. |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
absolutely!!
thank you for the compliment.... it's been a lot of fun and have learned a ton from you guys and trial and error ....standby and i'll check...."plugs"
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Autolite 65
...hate to poke a sleeping bear... like i said, i'm a rookie and "just bought some random plugs"..... once i get this guy rollin' i will switch the plugs around per grumpy's advise and see how things go fixing to open the pivotal can of worms....... any advise on a certain plug you guys use?
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Campbellsville, KY
Posts: 888
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Re: spark plug help!!!
There's certainly variety in plug choices. The only input I'll offer is that I've never seen a set of Autolite plugs that wasn't visibly eroded - even iridiums in calm modern car/van V6's, and they couldn't have all been 120K+ miles old. Which also coincides with the fact that they're usually one of the cheapest options in a given application. And that your leisurely six won't have any problem with good ol' copper plugs.
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Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue. |
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#20 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Quote:
"copper plugs" any suggestions?????
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,271
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Re: spark plug help!!!
With the PerTronix ignition you should be gapping your plugs at .045 just like HEI, or any other electronic ignition. [.035 is for points only.]
Ignitor I or II? I use Densos now that ACDelco went South of the Border. Their QC fell off the face of the known universe. Also what viscosity oil are you running? For the Southwest [I'm in Tucson], I recommend straight 30 SAE. I run Valvoline Racing [VR1] SAE 30 in my '68 292 L6. Engines of this vintage were designed to be run on straight weight oil. On my last 292 (that went 250,000 miles) I started out with 30 weight, then 40 weight after about 150,000, and finally I was blowing blue smoke rings of pure 50 weight coming up on 250,000, when I decided to pull it out and rebuild. What do you estimate the elapsed mileage at on your 250 L6? [More miles, the thicker the oil.]
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 02-12-2018 at 12:09 AM. |
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
Quote:
ok, thank you for the info!! i'll save this info for when i get "driving". thank you very much!!
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Campbellsville, KY
Posts: 888
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Re: spark plug help!!!
NGK is regarded by many as one of the best. I've put plenty of their platinum and iridium plugs in newer engines with fine results, but both my old Chevy V8's have AcDelco's in them. Copper is the common term for the traditional plugs with the large, square center electrode. You could research or contact the ignition system company and ask their recommendation on plug type and gap because as '68orange said, the stock gap specs may no longer be ideal for your setup.
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Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hewitt, Texas
Posts: 444
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Re: spark plug help!!!
thank you thank you and.....thank you!!!!
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Steven '67 SWB, 250ci, 3OTT.......this is my first build...... I wonder if my grand kids will say, "I would give anything to have my grand dads 2005 Chevrolet Z71" |
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#25 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,271
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Re: spark plug help!!!
The Densos I use are a copper electrode type. The advantage over your 'triple-sparker', platinum, iridium, depleted plutonium [whatever] plugs is that you can't touch them up with an ignition file like you can with copper plugs. The fancy plugs will lose their fancy plating, and who knows what the base metal is?
This is vintage technology. Stay within the vintage parameters. Also don't leave the ignition key on long w/o running with the Ignitor I. It will burn out. Ignitor II's solved this gripe. [But mine burned out after 7 years in the AZ desert.]
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 02-12-2018 at 12:57 AM. |
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