Read my plugs

[drooartz]

So here's what my plugs look like. They're all roughly in this condition. The pictures in the Haynes book seem to indicate this is about where they should be. Thoughts?

 

[jlaird]

Not bad Drew, you do that? Just a bit rich and I mean just like half a flat.

How does the inside of the tail pipe look?

 

[smaceng]

I would say a bit rich.
clean them up, turn the mixture nut 1/2 to 1 flat clockwise, and then try again. I have heard that if you are going to read the plugs, run the car 5-10 miles, then when you get home, just drive in and shut it off, don't idle. You want to read what the plugs were like during the run, not the idle mixture, which could load them up.
Also, check the mixture when warmed up by raising the pistons a 1/16" (use the little button on the side). Engine speed should stay about the same for a couple of seconds, then go down.If idle speed stays the same, and doesn't eventually decrese, that is too rich. If idle speed immediately goes down, that is too lean.
Good luck
Scott in CA

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Drew they look pretty good, you want to look at the color of the ceramic, one of mentors who taught me years ago to read plugs, used to say " son you're looking for turkey crap golden brown" (cleaned up for BCF standards ) and thats about how your's look. You can certainly play with leaning it a bit, to see if the car runs better there, but you are real close, not bad for workbench settings

If memory serves me right we used a #3 needle in your carbs, which very simular to the stock AN until you get the lower stages where it's richer at more open throttle positions. I would have set the jet heights at aprox. .070" down from the bridge in the carb, you could easily try .060" down from the bridge and see how that works.

 

[drooartz]

Not bad Drew, you do that?

Nope - that's how Hap had the carbs set. He is the man.

I'll take a look at the tail pipe in the daylight when I get home from work, and will report back.

 

[DrEntropy]

Tailpipe may be deceptive here, Drew. You've JUST come off the break-in running. Trust the plugs.

not bad for workbench settings

Reminds me of the: "Hey! How come you charged me $300 and all you did was push <span style="font-style: italic">one button</span>?!?"

"You're paying for my expertise. It's not the time I spent, rather its knowin' <span style="font-style: italic">which button</span> to push."

:thumbsup:

 

[drooartz]

So my deeper question here is what do the plugs tell me? Is it just mixture and heat range of the plug?

I'm at a point now where I'm trying to fine tune the engine tuning, and am faced with a lack of experience at knowing the signs that the car is running properly. I've never had a properly running car before this, after all, so I'm feeling a little lost.

I would have set the jet heights at aprox. .070" down from the bridge in the carb, you could easily try .060" down from the bridge and see how that works.

Where do I measure this?

 

[Billm]

Drew
I wouldn't play with the mixture right now- the plugs look pretty good and it is WAY safer for your engine to run a little rich than ANY lean!!
Give the engine a couple of thousand miles before you do too much carb adjusting.
BillM

 

[jlaird]

Do not mess Drew, it is so close. Check again next year about the same time.

Would like to know what the exhaust pipe looks like though.

Enjoy.

 

[drooartz]

I'm not going to mess with it, mostly just wanted confirmation that I'm at least close to where I should be.

I'll post pic of tailpipe once I get home and get the car out in the sun.

 

[DrEntropy]

The color you will see ideally is a "Cadbury/Sudbury" chocolate brown. Black is an indication it's rich. For now, it is good to know they're not running lean. Otherwise leave 'em be and drive some more. :laugh:

 

[drooartz]

For now, it is good to know they're not running lean. Otherwise leave 'em be and drive some more. :laugh:

Doing my best -- another 50 miles after work today.