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#1 |
Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,673
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I recently bought a new 1403 carb and want to make sure everythings adjusted right for my engine. However, my sparklers are fairly new and being the cheapskate I am, I want to clean them and put them back in to gauge if I'm running rich or lean. Is there any way to effectively clean a spark plug in order to do this or do I have to buy brand new ones?
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 10,670
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
Cheap way I just spray on carb cleaner and a brass wire brush. Done that a few times other than that buy new plugs.
Aaron |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,280
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
AAron's right, but sometimes you might also want to dress the center electrode with a very thin ignition file taking off just a little metal to get a clean surface. (This doesn't work w/ platinum, I'm told) Make sure your gaps are perfect. Check the threads for signs of crossthreading.
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 10-10-2006 at 04:56 PM. Reason: dyslexia |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SOMERSET KY.
Posts: 6,427
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
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junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. ![]() LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST |
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#5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
i've still got my little sparplug blaster that i got from jcwhitney its a handy little tool/ i think they may still sell them??
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
they are still sold
Last edited by mbgmike; 10-10-2006 at 07:10 AM. |
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#7 |
What's that funky smell?
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 610
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
I bought one for less than $10 at Harbor Freight last year.
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Mike S 68 C10 Long Step (Pretending to be a Long Fleetside) Grandpa's Farm Truck 3 on the tree, 307, No power brakes or steering Factory Options - HD rear spring and Ammeter/Oil Gauges My truck blog My Car Domain page |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boise ID
Posts: 609
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
I also bought one from Harbor Freight for under $10. It is A handy tool for around the shop!
Gary
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"72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES" ![]() |
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#9 |
Post Whore
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Owensboro KY
Posts: 11,905
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
So is it ok to sandblast a plug like that? It won't hurt it? Our lawnmower is really bad about fouling plugs so that might be something that would be nice to have. But currently just use the bench grinder with a wire wheel on it, works alot faster than the hand brush.
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Drew '71 Chevy 350/TH350 Hugger Orange Currently just a rolling frame, body work soon to follow!!! Check out my Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212927 Daily Driver: 1997 Chevrolet S-10 with more gears than pistons ![]() |
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#10 |
Licensed to Thrill!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northwest, GA
Posts: 1,673
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
![]() I just had to run the hound out of it to get it hot - it "unfouled" luckily. ![]() Riding ATV's/dirtbikes you foul a lot of plugs - our method was always the same. Find a woman with a finger nail file and go town. Hey - it'd get you back on the trail. Then we all looked like a bunch of manicurist with our fingernail files on the trails. I suppose my response isn't respected well. ![]() |
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#11 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
Just make sure you clean the plug out real good... don't want sand to fall down into the engine.
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#12 |
Alright Alright Alright
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 1,672
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
just this past weekend, i cleaned a set of plugs with the gel aircraft paint remover on them. it ate every bit of oil and carbon off and they looked brand new.
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1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies |
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#13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Blountville, Tn.
Posts: 3,904
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
Hey just a little word to the wise. I bought my spark plug blaster from Harbour freight also. Works great by the way. What I was wanting to say is, They don't use sand as an abrasive. I believe it is aluminum Oxide.when I purchased mine it came with a small bag of this stuff. But still like Longhorn Man said you should use an air nozzle and blow it out before you put back your motor.
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#14 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
Now, with all this said... I generally don't bother. Plugs are what... a buck and a half each? if I'm gonna go through the hassle of removing plugs... I generally screw new ones in.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,859
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
New plugs are best. No doubt. On the other hand, those little sand blasters are quite handy for lawn mowers, weed eaters, and the like. If you already have a spark plug blaster, use it. If you have never used one, the blaster has a two position switch. One way blasts the plug with media and the other way blows it off. The plug should come out very clean.
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'70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60 |
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#16 | |
Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,673
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
Quote:
Thank you all for your suggestions!
__________________
1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... |
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#17 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 100
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Re: Is there any good way to clean spark plugs?
I've always just ran them through the wire wheel mounted to a chuck of my drill press. Works quickly and leaves the electrode looking like new.
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