Optimal Spark Plugs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AJ_Shore · 07-06-2017, 02:01 PM

Hello All:

I am a new owner of a 1972 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special. This is a 3/4 Ton 2dr Fleetside Pickup with a 5.7L V8 350/175hp engine, and an Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor.

The truck was sitting for a while, and I would like to do a full tune up of the vehicle - change spark plugs, rotor, distributor cap, and wires.

Question - What is the optimal spark plugs I should consider? One that might resist fouling? I could be wrong. But, I believe the stock plugs for the engine is an ACDelco - R44T. Not asking for the brand. But more so, the best type of plug to install.

Please let me know if you need more information in order to answer my query.

Thanks in advance.

Alex V. · 07-06-2017, 02:16 PM

I'd go with whatever the stock replacement is, or one range hotter if it burns some oil or it gets putted around at low speed most of the time. I run stock application plugs in all my Chevy V8's and they perform more than satisfactory.

demian5 · 07-06-2017, 02:26 PM

AC Delco R43 or R44 TS or TSX

toolboxchev · 07-06-2017, 03:40 PM

There is no super simple answer to spark plugs. AC Delco brand is worth sticking with.

If you are for sure that is a bone stock engine with no mods the R43 would be the norm.

If you need a hot spark to burn off oil consumption than I choose an R45TS. I am running an HEI with Pertronix ignition module and Accel super coil. I want a hot spark with E10 fuel.

The TS stands for tapered seat and is not stock for my 70 chevy with a 350. I found NGKs in my truck when I first picked it up. I do not think the PO really cared about it. At one point I was up to 12-13 mpgs with clean plugs and a tune!

Wrenchbender Ret · 07-06-2017, 03:45 PM

I would use the extended tip plugs. They run cleaner & resist fouling. R44ts or if you want a hotter plug R45ts. I believe AC is the best plug for these engines.

AJ_Shore · 07-07-2017, 06:40 AM

Thank you all for the responses and the recommendations. As far as I can tell, the engine is stock and without any modifications. It was restored about 10 years ago, but has only about 3,600 miles on it.

Since I got this beautiful truck about three weeks ago, I have had to change the fuel pump, battery, accelerator pump, alternator, and voltage regulator to get the truck moving. However starting this past weekend, the truck started showing some signs of slow acceleration, loss of power, poor fuel economy, and engine misfire.

At this point, I am hoping that just a full tune up - new wires, plugs, rotor and cap will fix the issue. I will go with the AC Delco R45TS plugs for the plugs.

Thanks again.

crabman · 01-17-2018, 10:20 AM

Has anyone tried the AC Delco Rapid Fire Platinum plugs in their C10?

Sweeet67 · 01-17-2018, 10:28 AM

How bout you play nice and show us some pics of your new toy?

**Grumpy old man** · 01-17-2018, 12:01 PM

Are you still running a points distributor ? or has it been switched over to HEI ?

crabman · 01-17-2018, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Are you still running a points distributor ? or has it been switched over to HEI ?

I've switched over to HEI but otherwise the motor is stock.

**Grumpy old man** · 01-17-2018, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabman

I've switched over to HEI but otherwise the motor is stock.

I wouldn't waste the time or money to use platinum plugs or any type of synthetic oil , I would regap the plugs to at least .045 with HEI some guys go even higher ,060 ?

RichardJ · 01-17-2018, 01:13 PM

>> had to change the fuel pump, battery, accelerator pump, alternator, and voltage regulator<<

>>hoping that just a full tune up - new wires, plugs, rotor and cap will fix the issue.<<

Time to stop throwing parts at it.

With a points ignition, the points need replaced or cleaned/adjusted every 10-15,000 miles and timing checked/adjusted. The other parts generally only need visual inspection or cleaning. Good time for oil change and maybe air filter, but throwing parts and money at it doesn't guarantee a good tune-up.

**jocko** · 01-17-2018, 05:25 PM

I didn’t read the op’s process as all an effort to solve poor acceleration and bad fuel economy (ie throwing parts at that problem), I read it to mean he had to install all those parts just to get it moving at all. Now that it’s actually moving under its own power, he wants to tune it up to address poor accel and bad fuel economy.

Yes, R43 or R44 is a good choice. I prefer AC Delco. If HEI, increase gap as recommended above. But before you do ANY of that... pictures. I’m a Custom Campaholic

07-06-2017, 02:01 PM	#1
AJ_Shore Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Fair Haven, New Jersey Posts: 2	Optimal Spark Plugs Hello All: I am a new owner of a 1972 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special. This is a 3/4 Ton 2dr Fleetside Pickup with a 5.7L V8 350/175hp engine, and an Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor. The truck was sitting for a while, and I would like to do a full tune up of the vehicle - change spark plugs, rotor, distributor cap, and wires. Question - What is the optimal spark plugs I should consider? One that might resist fouling? I could be wrong. But, I believe the stock plugs for the engine is an ACDelco - R44T. Not asking for the brand. But more so, the best type of plug to install. Please let me know if you need more information in order to answer my query. Thanks in advance. Last edited by AJ_Shore; 07-07-2017 at 07:01 AM.

07-06-2017, 02:16 PM	#2
Alex V. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Campbellsville, KY Posts: 888	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs I'd go with whatever the stock replacement is, or one range hotter if it burns some oil or it gets putted around at low speed most of the time. I run stock application plugs in all my Chevy V8's and they perform more than satisfactory. __________________ 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.

07-06-2017, 02:26 PM	#3
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs AC Delco R43 or R44 TS or TSX __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

07-06-2017, 03:40 PM	#4
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs There is no super simple answer to spark plugs. AC Delco brand is worth sticking with. If you are for sure that is a bone stock engine with no mods the R43 would be the norm. If you need a hot spark to burn off oil consumption than I choose an R45TS. I am running an HEI with Pertronix ignition module and Accel super coil. I want a hot spark with E10 fuel. The TS stands for tapered seat and is not stock for my 70 chevy with a 350. I found NGKs in my truck when I first picked it up. I do not think the PO really cared about it. At one point I was up to 12-13 mpgs with clean plugs and a tune!

07-06-2017, 03:45 PM	#5
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs I would use the extended tip plugs. They run cleaner & resist fouling. R44ts or if you want a hotter plug R45ts. I believe AC is the best plug for these engines.

07-07-2017, 06:40 AM	#6
AJ_Shore Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Fair Haven, New Jersey Posts: 2	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs Thank you all for the responses and the recommendations. As far as I can tell, the engine is stock and without any modifications. It was restored about 10 years ago, but has only about 3,600 miles on it. Since I got this beautiful truck about three weeks ago, I have had to change the fuel pump, battery, accelerator pump, alternator, and voltage regulator to get the truck moving. However starting this past weekend, the truck started showing some signs of slow acceleration, loss of power, poor fuel economy, and engine misfire. At this point, I am hoping that just a full tune up - new wires, plugs, rotor and cap will fix the issue. I will go with the AC Delco R45TS plugs for the plugs. Thanks again.

01-17-2018, 10:20 AM	#7
crabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Blairsville, GA Posts: 28	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs Has anyone tried the AC Delco Rapid Fire Platinum plugs in their C10? __________________ 1969 CST/10 396

01-17-2018, 10:28 AM	#8
Sweeet67 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Idaho Falls, ID Posts: 233	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs How bout you play nice and show us some pics of your new toy?

01-17-2018, 12:01 PM	#9
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs Are you still running a points distributor ? or has it been switched over to HEI ?

01-17-2018, 01:13 PM	#12
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,466	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs >> had to change the fuel pump, battery, accelerator pump, alternator, and voltage regulator<< >>hoping that just a full tune up - new wires, plugs, rotor and cap will fix the issue.<< Time to stop throwing parts at it. With a points ignition, the points need replaced or cleaned/adjusted every 10-15,000 miles and timing checked/adjusted. The other parts generally only need visual inspection or cleaning. Good time for oil change and maybe air filter, but throwing parts and money at it doesn't guarantee a good tune-up. __________________ '67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC

01-17-2018, 05:25 PM	#13
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Optimal Spark Plugs I didn’t read the op’s process as all an effort to solve poor acceleration and bad fuel economy (ie throwing parts at that problem), I read it to mean he had to install all those parts just to get it moving at all. Now that it’s actually moving under its own power, he wants to tune it up to address poor accel and bad fuel economy. Yes, R43 or R44 is a good choice. I prefer AC Delco. If HEI, increase gap as recommended above. But before you do ANY of that... pictures. I’m a Custom Campaholic



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