1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Save money on plugs

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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 01:15 AM
  #1  
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Save money on plugs

after a recent fuel pump swap, the carb had a little accident (it pee'ed itself, and filled the secondaries with gasoline.. say a beer bottle worth of flooding)
anyways, as usual, the plugs fouled, the car was lazy when starting hot, and would only start cold on one rotor. The plugs were brand new (about 2 weeks old) and we were pissed at the idea of spending 60 bucks more on replacements, so i devised a plan:

SANDBLASTING.

believe or not: it worked. i photographed the proof. hopefully this will save some dough for those brave enough to mix engine parts with harmful abrasives.

http://sparkie.dalnet.ca/roxy/plugs/
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 01:54 AM
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it sounds like you may have some other problems as well..
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 01:58 AM
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...and which would those be?
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 04:05 AM
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When mine got fouled I just sanded them down with one of my drill attachments. It seemed to help. I did that twice on that set of plugs. They always worked well. I don't see why sandblasting wouldn't do the same thing.
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 04:52 AM
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I just use a wire brush in a drill or dremel, then spray off with brake cleaner. Works great. But if you have access to a sandblaster, more power to you. I know quite a few of the guys on here already do that, but good work figuring it out on your own.
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 08:50 AM
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The tool guys have a small hand held sand blaster designed for spark plugs. Ive had mine for about 10 years works great has a switch to sand blast then air blast. Clean the threads before reinstalling. Worth the money esp when tuning.
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 10:39 AM
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From: in the.. wait no under the hood
or you can just give it a good torching too, that ususally works
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by rlr240sc
The tool guys have a small hand held sand blaster designed for spark plugs. Ive had mine for about 10 years works great has a switch to sand blast then air blast. Clean the threads before reinstalling. Worth the money esp when tuning.
Yeah, I have the same tool. It's saved me so much money in spark plugs, lol. I just can't figure out which way on that switch is air blast and sand blast. I usually just alternate the switch while blasting then hit the plug with carb cleaner to remove any other crap on the plug.
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 08:17 PM
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Can anybody post a picture of this tool? Look like I am going to invest in this tool. Just need to know what it looks like.
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 08:48 PM
  #10  
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This is the one I have:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=32860
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 09:05 PM
  #11  
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well if your having hot start problems, it may not just be bad plugs. im not trying to dog on you or anything, just food for thought
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 10:34 AM
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A wire wheel, when necessary, which as it turn out is not much these days.

It pays to learn how to make your carbs run right; tune them correctly, set up a good strong ignition system etc. Oh, and a redline every now and then, too.
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 11:42 AM
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WOW!!

That is an awesome tool, I am going to get one, or ask for it for x-mas! It will pay for it self in one use, I will be doing alot of tuning and this will save a poop load!
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 12:47 PM
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You know the sad part is that spark plug on the website didn't look fouled.
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 03:18 PM
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You guys are funny. **** I was using a spark plug cleaner before most of you were born,lol.
They are not advertised much anymore because of the so called efficiency of todays motors. Back in the day when I raced my 57 Chevy every weekend I would return to the Gas station that I worked at part time, pull the plugs, clean them and retune the motor.
Remember it's only good for cleaning plugs that are in good shape internally and just have deposits or have been gas fouled.
And as jeff20b has stated. There is no substitution for preventive maintenance. Keep the air filter clean, the fuel filter changed regulary and add a good fuel cleaner such as Redline. Or pull the big guns out when you need a heavy cleaning of the internals and get a can of Bg's 44k...
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 07:21 PM
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Every gas station had those back in the 50s when I was pumping gas. They work good, but eventually they erode the vitrified porcelain on the electrode and then the plugs start to short out, but they extend plug lifetime several times.
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Old Nov 23, 2006 | 06:46 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by SparkienSuggah
after a recent fuel pump swap, the carb had a little accident (it pee'ed itself, and filled the secondaries with gasoline.. say a beer bottle worth of flooding)
anyways, as usual, the plugs fouled, the car was lazy when starting hot, and would only start cold on one rotor. The plugs were brand new (about 2 weeks old) and we were pissed at the idea of spending 60 bucks more on replacements, so i devised a plan:

SANDBLASTING.

believe or not: it worked. i photographed the proof. hopefully this will save some dough for those brave enough to mix engine parts with harmful abrasives.

http://sparkie.dalnet.ca/roxy/plugs/

60 buks for plugs.. u serious.. wow. I pay less than $20 buks for a set of ngk.
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