Spark Plug Washers

[DonP]

Autolite 65's in a small block. Should you always use washers? On another thread someone mentioned the small end points to the cylinder. Also seen during my search, people commenting on indexing plugs. How many out there really do this?

[goldfevr]

I have to index my plugs in my 451 because the reach is so close to the piston. I learned this after I smashed the reach on number 6 after 10 passes. I don't know if it was the motor breaking in or not, but after I started indexing the plugs I picked up .04 in e.t. and 1 mph

Jeff

[dwc43]

Originally posted by DonP
Autolite 65's in a small block. Should you always use washers? On another thread someone mentioned the small end points to the cylinder. Also seen during my search, people commenting on indexing plugs. How many out there really do this?

It is not a washer it is a gasket seal. IT must always be used and the smaller side as you called it does go towards the cylinder. Idexing turns the open end of the gap towards the intake valve so that the fuel air charger will pass right through the gap so it ignites better when the plug fires and reduces some turbulence that the plug creates when the charge hits the plug at speed.

[fulchat]

How is indexing done? Please. And was goldfevr's problem solved due to indexing or something else? Thanx

[dwc43]

Indexing can keep a plug from getting hit by the piston, but this is rare and his heads must have some serious milling for this to have happened.

You need an indexing kit. Has all the washers ans such ans instructions with it. Check your speed shops.

[MAXAXE3]

indexing plugs will on average is worth about max 5 horsepower as rated on a dyno per any engine reputable engine builder.

some engines respond to having the plug indexed to the intake side and some to the exhaust side.

if your trying to squeeze every ounce of horsepower from the engine it may be worth it to go through indexing the plugs, but you have to be on the dyno to see any measure of change.

[goldfevr]

yes it did help on #6, thanx for asking. I had 85 runs on the motor after this happend and not a problem one. Yes I did have my heads , 906's, milled quite a bit. I took them pretty close to max since this is the last year that I am running them and now they are only back ups. Going to the Eddy aluminum.

Jeff

[fastmopars .inc]

you don't need an indexing kit.
just mark the top of the ceramic with the way the ground strap faces and go buy some lock washers at the parts store. than just add a washer and get it as close as you can, maybe add another, try get different thicknesses.
its not hard and it doesn't have to be dead on to make a difference

[dwc43]

Originally posted by goldfevr
yes it did help on #6, thanx for asking. I had 85 runs on the motor after this happend and not a problem one. Yes I did have my heads , 906's, milled quite a bit. I took them pretty close to max since this is the last year that I am running them and now they are only back ups. Going to the Eddy aluminum.

Jeff

I thought so !

[dwc43]

you cant use lock washers on your plugs. You need an indexing kit. The plugs wont get a good seal to the head using lock washers. Use the right tool for the job. The stock plugs use that gasket(washer ) to get a good seal to the head.

[345Dart]

Lock washers would be only for use on aluminum heads

[Twisted360]

Moroso has everything to index your plugs. Tool part # 62160. Washers are part # 71910. Just happened to have my Moroso catalog on my desk.

[Dart]

Ummm exactly how far would that put the plug out of the hole if you used a lock washer? That thing between your ears is there for a reason.

[Twisted360]

I didn't want to say anything, but putting lockwashers on the plugs sounds a little strange to me to.