mg-t
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: FW: Spark Plug Choice

To: MG-T <mg-t@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: FW: Spark Plug Choice
From: Chip Old <fold@bcpl.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 12:30:33 -0400 (EDT)
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:58 -0400, Parkinson,Ron wrote:

> For my $.02, I have a modified late TD, and use the shorter reach plug 
> (colder) because of the higher compression.  The theory as I remember it 
> is that the longer reach (hotter) plug can act as a glow wire like in a 
> diesel and cause a pre-detonation or knock.
>
> Remember if you are using a sport coil you can run a wider gap than spec 
> as the addition volts will still arc and that will help.
>
> I don't have many miles since it returned to the road but it is running 
> great!  That is my experience.

You're confusing "reach" and "thread length".  They aren't the same thing. 
The original question was about the correct thread length for an XPAG 
engine with a Wolsely head on it.

"Reach" refers to how far into the combustion chamber the electrodes 
extend.  These days an extended reach plug is preferred for most 
applications.  Extended reach does not equate to "hotter".  Like standard 
reach plugs, extended reach plugs are made in a large range of heat 
ranges.  An extended reach plug usually works well under a wider heat 
range than a standard reach plug because the plug tip is more exposed to 
the cooling effect of the incoming mixture on the intake stroke.

Thread length, as the name implies, is the length of the sparl plug's 
threads.  The cylinder heads originally used on the TB, TC and early TD 
require plugs with a 1/2 inch thread length.  Due to a casting change the 
late TD and TF head requires plugs with a 3/4 inch thread length.

If you use 1/2 inch plugs in a head designed for 3/4 inch plugs, the 
electrodes are recessed within the longer plug hole, so they aren't fully 
exposed to the mixture.

If you use 3/4 inch plugs in a head designed for 1/2 inch, 1/4 inch of 
thread on the plug extends beyond the plug hole.  Once it carbons up, the 
plug will be difficult to remove.  Under some circumstances (especially if 
you use an extended reach plug) the piston can colide with the plug.

-- 
Chip Old               1948 M.G. TC  TC6710  XPAG7430  NEMGTR #2271
Cub Hill, Maryland
fold@bcpl.net

///  unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net  or try
///  http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
///  Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/mg-t


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>