Reading sparkplugs and making Andrew's mini bike faster than it should be!

[@logancarter2134]

I'm 61 and grew up in the country. In our rural neighborhood there was an old school mechanic/hot rodder. He tried to explain this to my 16 yr old self and I just couldn't get it. From your explanation and video I do now. Brought back some great memories, THANKS!!!

[@powellmachineinc]

Very cool!

[@garyscavone-o6l]

I appreciate the schooling on reading spark plugs. Never new that what a great tool. Thank you.

[@tonyalto1014]

Great video! Metric twist drills correspond with jet numbering on slide carbs like mikuni and keihin. A 115 jet is 1.15 mm. A 45 jet is a .45 mm.

[@powellmachineinc]

Cool, thanks

[@leebornaman5508]

Guess you have clarified a simple but exact science to us old coders. I am 70. You can bet I will eyeball every plug I change till I die. Way cool. And, beautiful countryside.

[@powellmachineinc]

💯

[@inthegarage342]

Man....been reading plugs wrong for 3 decades. Thanks for breaking this simple thing down where my simple brain understands it.

[@powellmachineinc]

Absolutely

[@RobertCooksey-g1e]

You are the first one I have seen cutting plugs apart. To get a proper reading on it thank you for the lesson on how to read a too lean mixture. Again first time I have seen it. I am 54

[@Charger1908]

Damn I’m in my Kate 60’s and I’ve been wrenching and building engines for over 50 years and I never learned to read plugs like you do but I’ll be damned if it’s not a better way. Kudos sir for teaching an old dog a new trick.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad it helped!

[@Mr688895]

Ran a chassis dyno for 15 years and this corresponds exactly with what I always saw. Great video.

[@powellmachineinc]

Tyvm!

[@lornebaer4523]

First time in 55 years you explained and showed me the right way to check feul line and heat line, thanks for the lesson 😊

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad it helped

[@BillyWillicker]

The smoke ring and strap anneal line are the two key features. GREAT job covering this. This is the most clear and concise video I have watched on plug reading. I do more 2-strokes than 4-strokes, smokers like the strap anneal line at the bend in the strap, smoke ring usually should be similar for gasoline between 2T/4T.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DavidLeslie65]

I remember learning this 40 years ago in school but didn't enjoy mechanics so I had forgotten about it. I'm sure s lot of kids are on Amazon now buying drill bits and pin gauges to go with the plug cutter on mom and dad's bank card

[@jcnpresser]

One of the better plug reading videos I’ve seen. I love learning from the pro’s on this topic. I was confused, I thought the ring went the other way! Thank you sir!

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hughobrien4139]

I enjoyed this one every bit as much as the rest. That’s beautiful country you call home.

[@powellmachineinc]

Absolutely

[@jim8027]

Well I was never taught this method, so It's a great learn! The minibike seemed to pull the hill way better on that last run. As others have said, that is is some damn nice country where you live. Thanks for the video.

[@powellmachineinc]

Absolutely!! Ty

[@zacharymorris9917]

I've watched a bunch of your videos over the past week or so. Haven't caught a mistake yet. Very rare.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you like them!, I'm there's plenty, keep watching!

[@davidholcomb9961]

Awesome information that i definitely needed! I'm almost 60 years old and never knew how to really read a spark plug. Big thanks to you!

[@powellmachineinc]

Very welcome!

[@ericstalker7973]

I finally finished watching your jet drilling video on Andrews bike. That takes me back to when I used to do that with my Q jet carburetor trying to fine tune the little 307 Oldsmobile engine in my 1982 Cutlass. I eliminated the feedback carburetor and four wire distributor with earlier pre computer carb and distributor. I must have pulled the carburetor off and apart to drill the jets and trying different metering rods over a dozen times. I really didn't how to read the spark plugs in such the way you have explained it. I went with the performance I could get out of the car. I finally got it to were I was happy with it. It was definitely a night to day difference performance from the factory

[@johnfry9010]

That was the most clear and best example I have ever seen , Thank you !

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OBD01]

You threw some schooling on me! That fuel ring part was great, I knew about the heat ring/mark and how timing would change it. I liked how you described the timing as heat in or out of the cylinder. Explained it better than I had heard in a long time.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad it helped

[@eddiebranham8070]

I watch every video you put out. It helps me at work. I was Auto mechanic for almost 30+years now work at AutoZone in Winchester VA. Thanks for all the information. In those years I worked in a machine shop. Thanks for the video

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad to help

[@mrf246]

I never ever saw this explained, thank you. You know your stuff Daniel.

[@powellmachineinc]

Ty!!, I appreciate that

[@BigMikesGarage]

That's some beautiful countryside! Great info, thanks! I have found advancing the timing on those predators from the stock 24 degrees to about 30 degrees makes a good difference.

[@chiefcliff]

I'm not an expert but lived 60 years around a lot of expert mechanics and I've never heard them explain spark plugs like this. Great info. And Wong Fu carburetor ... lol!

[@powellmachineinc]

Lol, tyvm!

[@georgedreisch2662]

Dude, y’all flashing me back better then 50 years… Learned the hard way, as jet diameters get bigger, it takes less of a jump in size, to make the same incremental difference. Had a set of drills back in the day, think were intended for jewelry / watch makers, that had finer increments then number sizes. When splitting hairs, I’d sometimes use valve grinding compound on a piece of wire, to hone to the desired size. On some applications, it seemed you couldn’t get enough jet, and was for the circuits being maxed out, and I’d drill / ream the circuits. Want to be careful for the jumps in size here, as a little’ll will give a shit ton difference. Sometimes chamfering / deburring circuits was enough. Also, don’t see it talked about much, anymore, but it’s important to get a spark plug of the proper heat range, to be able to read it properly.

[@powellmachineinc]

💯!!

[@HarleySLA]

You guys showed up in my suggestions, insta subbed. My kind of folks, wrenchers. A few oddities, first I can tell you're from my neck of the woods by the way you say cobb-urator, second I have a valknut tattoo also, third you gave it away- them overworked roads look like home or close to it (DOT will get around to it when they're done with 85, so basically never), if I had to guess I'd say Anderson. Cheers mates, from a mobile mechanic, starting a year out of college trying my own business 🍻 Cheers from Pickens. Small world, Im only guessing the county but I know yall are upstate folks and that blows my mind. Be blessed guys. -Regards, Harley.

[@powellmachineinc]

Tyvm, yep, south of Anderson, welcome aboard!

[@josecarreira8934]

Good little mini bike to scoot around the country side, that last pass the mini bike sounded a lot happier seamed to go with ease and another way on reading spark plugs👍 and a bit of knowledge for your son. Nice country side area.

[@powellmachineinc]

Totally agree

[@Hjfvvdst]

Awesome, Andrew is getting a great life long education. Along with many others.

[@powellmachineinc]

I sure hope so

[@StuartBlake-iz6rf]

Daniel, I echo all the comments and want to thank you for pouring out your knowledge. God Bless.

[@powellmachineinc]

You are very welcome

[@franksprecisionguesswork501]

That was a great video. I wonder if you could weld a threaded bung on the exhaust pipe and rig up an o2 sensor to venture into a more techie side of this project. Reminds me of a project mini bike project I worked on a zillion years ago, milling the head on a brigs then welding up the cam to re grind a more radical profile. The next phase was using an old smog pump as a supercharger. But never got to that. Lord knows what would have happened had I gotten hold of a milling machine in 1972 instead of discovering girls! I just love that country setting.

[@powellmachineinc]

Ty, yes, we could add a wide band no problem

[@knoxvillevolfan]

I learned so much from this video. You are a great teacher, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Love your channel.

[@powellmachineinc]

Ty, we try hard!

[@howdydoo8921]

Great fun! Thought it sounded better on the last run too. I've never seen it done this way. Makes me want to go pull my plugs!

[@powellmachineinc]

Go for it!

[@freeidaho-videos]

Excellent explanation. Thanks for cutting the plugs apart for the explanation. I put myself through school working in a bike shop when 2 stroke motocross bikes were king. This concept is really hard to explain to the customer. Nicely done. The last plug has the fuel line further toward the electrode it can be seen with an optical loop without dissecting the plug.

[@powellmachineinc]

Great point!

[@greg.goergens6315]

Awesome video! I honestly now know that I had no clue how to read spark plugs! I know now! You are an excellent teacher with your presentations and descriptions!

[@powellmachineinc]

Thank you! I try hard

[@donaldhalls2189]

Would have been great information back when I was working, thank you for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones

[@powellmachineinc]

We really appreciate that!, glad it was helpful

[@cjespers]

Outstanding video! I learned a lot. Well done. All your videos are great.

[@powellmachineinc]

Tyvm!!

[@jimmydavis6254]

Great video! You explained plug reading very well!...That little bike would be a lot happier with a 30 series torque converter...I swapped one onto my grandsons minibike and it really made it a lot more fun to ride.

[@powellmachineinc]

Great point!

[@welldc]

Great explanation. As you say, visual learning makes it so much easier to understand.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you think so!

[@yosmith1]

Not sure I had ever heard about the fuel ring. Alot of good info here. Thx for sharing

[@powellmachineinc]

Any time!

[@chrisminter271]

Great stuff. I've seen people looking at plugs with a magnifying glass ???, there's a lot more to reading plugs than I thought.

[@ky8465]

Great video! I really learned a lot! I have been reading plugs all wrong for all these years. Now I just need an easy way to cut the plug!

[@powellmachineinc]

They make a special cutter you can use with a drill

[@jeffreydurham5342]

I noticed you were careful not to reveal the ratio on that speed demon! Great video, thanks!

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimflammer9370]

Great video, nice to have a dad that helps you go fast! Nice scooter!

[@powellmachineinc]

Thanks 👍

[@mike-ws4hl]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge I really appreciate it!! I now have a idea what to look for I have the very same carb and jet set and didn't really understand how to read the plugs . I can hardly wait to see what else I can learn and I already have 2 keyway's to advance the timing. I have been trying to figure out what CDI box to use on my 6.5 predator thanks again for the information !! I'm just a old guy playing with minibike'S

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad to help

[@anthonyiannone7618]

Nice video , i would realy like to hear a more indepth explination as to how adding more or less fuel makes the line on the plug move , it sounds facinating that it could be so precise . Like whats actually causing that line to be formed and how / why is it so consistent . Thanks!

[@powellmachineinc]

The line is unburned fuel

[@davidjackson4112]

Thank You Daniel in sharing this knowledge and clearing up misconceptions about reading spark plug.

[@powellmachineinc]

You are very welcome

[@eric63377]

Hello from Ohio. Good job man sometimes we got to make do with what we have to get the job done properly.

[@powellmachineinc]

Facts!

[@mikediamond1522]

Ben Alameda say's, only NGK will give you a correct reading! Calculate: not just the diameter but the volume of the jet and percentage of change. What's the float level? Is the flow sufficient from the supply? Fuel filter, etc.??? A fine stone and take off the sharp edge (outside corner of drill bit, especially on brass will keep it from digging in and drilling oversize). Mike

[@powellmachineinc]

Correct is relative, consistent is all that matters.

[@bobwhite4344]

great vid with excellent explanation and example images. i'm old and i learned some things.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

Awesome video Mr. Powell! I enjoyed the tech side and the mini bike 👍

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-gi9cl5yt4w]

A great intro to plugs, keep doing what you're doing!!!!!

[@powellmachineinc]

💯

[@bobbyabbott3035]

Thanks a million i will watch this again and again. Till it soaks in!

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

Ok this is new to me. I’m learning a lot I didn’t know. Thank you. That’s some pretty scenery out there.

[@powellmachineinc]

You bet

[@BrendanMX]

We run across this a lot on our race quads. When we go up on carb size we always have to jump huge on mains. As much as 15 sizes at points from the stock carburetor. Seems to be due to the drop of vaccum on the Venturi?

[@ronosga4391]

On a NA methanol injected BBC I have always been told to keep the timing line from going around the bend on the strap. Also reading the surface color on the end of the ring to see the anodizing is burned off, but methanol is much more tricky to read has been my experience.

[@JimSampson-y6v]

Yep... reminds me of my dad and our 4- cycle go carts. Long time ago ! Never ran anything but avgas (100LL ) so was easier to tune. More consistent quality of gas.

[@powellmachineinc]

Definitely

[@monsterdong7520]

Awesome! I just put a 301cc on an 80cc monster moto for my son it’s crazy fast lol

[@powellmachineinc]

Sounds fun

[@shanefluhr6454]

Wow this is great information my brother's an engine builderi'll pass this on

[@powellmachineinc]

@shanefluhr6454 good deal

[@stuartsullenbarger2023]

Great video on reading spark plugs but my only question is the heat range of the plug have anything to do with how the engine runs along with jets....Andrew has a sweet Bike..

[@powellmachineinc]

Good question! I'm going to do a separate video on that

[@danielweinbaum]

That is some beautiful country ? Reminds me of the greater Greensboro area! GREEN !

[@powellmachineinc]

That's not far from us

[@shawnmcatee895]

I raced motorcycles for 40+ years. The rule of thumb on those slide valve carbs is this: from 0-1/8 throttle is the idle or low speed jet. The from 1/8th to about 3/4 throttle is the needle position, from 3/4 to WFO is that main jet. Now, if the main jet is horrifically lean like yours was, it chokes the entire fuel range and moving the needle doesn't change anything. If you nail down the WFO setting and cant get the mid throttle response where it should be, the engine could want a different taper, starting less, or more, etc. The idle mixture screw, whether it's an air screw or a fuel screw, because they're wildly different, the settings are completely backwards from one another. If the mixture screw is on the engine side of the slide, it's a fuel screw. If it's on the air cleaner side, its an air screw that meters the air into the emulsion circuit of the pilot jet (idle/low speed). Those ebay/Amazon Chinese knock off carbs are notoriously poorly metered. You can get genuine Keihin parts and get them closer, The cut-away in the slide impacts that off idle throttle input as that cut away increases or decreases the air speed immediately over the main jet past the needle and acts like an accelerator pump. A little easier than using a parting tool to cut the plug shell, a hole saw with the plug screwed into a block of some sort is a track-side option. Reading that timing mark on the ground strap is probably just as, or more important than the mixture ring. Especially when the compression ratio is pushed up there past about 10:1. But good job on the plug reading thing.

[@RussellCompton-fh3gr]

great video,,,with live action of test run

[@powellmachineinc]

Definitely, it's was a fun video

[@DougSamm]

Enjoying ur vids ! Much more info in depth in plug read ! Old gray beard biker buddy told me just looking at electrode for coffee with cream color. lol. How ever he did say he checked on side of highway by cutting ignition in middle of cruise and coasting to side. Seems like your boy coasted in to driveway. Also, is it beneficial to “Clock” the plugs using copper crush ring ? Heard that ole hot rod racing trick…

[@powellmachineinc]

Indexing can be helpful

[@mikenotforyou6997]

Reminds me of the Rupp I had when I was a kid. Not a hot rod and had a diagram carb but it was fun. Lot fancier road signs then WVa in the 70s, lol

[@bobhudson6659]

Had to laugh. No "Andrews" hurt in this video!!! Well done dad.

[@powellmachineinc]

Tyvm!

[@thegdfp6447]

Most of the 196/212-224 type clones like a 130 main, .055" or #54 drill, needle in the middle, 12.5 pilot, 2 turns out on air screw. Those carbs come on much smaller OHC engines, and the jetting is close for those.

[@thegdfp6447]

What other mods? Billet flywheel, rod, good valve springs? Gearing/tire letting it rev enough/too much?

[@powellmachineinc]

It's all stock now, but more is coming

[@JpJp-zd7vu]

Great tutorial ! Couple questions though . 1) When accelerating prior to pulling the plug , are you holding wide open & then flipping kill switch \ ignition to cut the engine , still while at full throttle & not de-celling w the throttle at all ? 2) What are you doing for the pilot jet \ circuit after drilling the main ? 3) What are you doing w the air\fuel screw as well for these changes ?

[@powellmachineinc]

Main jet only affects the main jet, it doesn't effect idle, yes full throttle pass and cut it off and coast in, (its as critical as u think

[@mjm7187]

Very interesting segnent on spark plug analysis

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you liked it!

[@ZMANPERF]

Excellent educational video. Thank you for doing them.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you like them!

[@JeffWok]

I don't know how you explain it any better than that

[@powellmachineinc]

Ty!! I appreciate you

[@robertbriggs4176]

On my BBC drag car I look for a .100" fuel ring. What's great is it works the same for any gas engine, any make, any size , any year.

[@powellmachineinc]

Yup

[@kylehook8318]

Great video. Time to go out and super tune my leaf blower.

[@powellmachineinc]

Go for it!

[@kevincorkery6292]

Never knew all this about plugs. Thank you!

[@powellmachineinc]

Happy to help!

[@mikechotard3649]

By the way I really enjoy your videos keep them coming thank you and have a great day

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you enjoyed

[@kenhoyle4344]

Video was fantastic 😀. Only rookie question I had was what is easiest way to cut plug open?

[@powellmachineinc]

I do it in the lathe

[@Six_ftdeep32]

Awesome info thank you. Now I can do some tuning on my cr80.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad to help

[@rickj.2638]

Very educational I like it. Keep the videos coming please. 👍👍

[@powellmachineinc]

Thanks, will do!

[@joecraig6056]

such a fun vid....chocked with clues...awsum

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you liked it!!

[@keith6872]

My stock 1976 Superglide would top out @95 mph😅 my father called the bike Superficial. BTW great explanation about plug reading.

[@powellmachineinc]

Ty

[@timmiller260]

Learned more than the motor manual

[@powellmachineinc]

Ty!

[@lazyhoundracing9621]

Thanks for the video. I learned a lot. Now I want to cut up some plugs.

[@powellmachineinc]

Go for it!

[@Expedition18]

Good to c u work on personal fun projects 👍

[@powellmachineinc]

Much appreciated

[@dirk013adfa]

Around the 4:00 mark, you start talking about the ground strap and timing. With the keyway part, did you want to wait until the fueling was correct because that might put enough heat into the chamber to be where you want it to be? Or just making the fueling safe to adjust timing? Hope that makes sense..

[@powellmachineinc]

It didn't affect the timing line

[@watermanone7567]

That is the best visual and explanation of a spark plug reading I have seen. What do you use to cut the plug off to get to the porcelain?

[@powellmachineinc]

A lathe

[@mikediamond1522]

Grind off the area just above the hex using a bench grinder. This will get the job done just fine!: No lathe required! The area where it was peened over during manufacturing. Very easy to do manually or chuck top of plug in hand drill to rotate against the wheel. Mike

[@MyRealDelusion]

MIND BLOWN

[@powellmachineinc]

Lol

[@larrybeussink7737]

Thanks for another great learning video!

[@powellmachineinc]

Our pleasure!

[@100amps]

Man, what beautiful countryside. I had a hard time seeing the ring. - Stevie at Stevie Wonder's Speed Shop.

[@powellmachineinc]

Lol, ty

[@difusekitty3]

awesome stuff, gonna bookmark this

[@bren42069]

thanks for the edumacation, that's pretty interesting stuff

[@powellmachineinc]

You bet

[@robtdougherty]

another awesome video! quick question...... how do you know if the heat mark on the strap is off from timing or just the wrong heat range on the plug itself?? Thanks!

[@keith6872]

Harbor Freight Animal clone is a great design for cart racing. There are a few videos on how to modify to go faster.

[@powellmachineinc]

Definitely

[@davidbright1489]

Bout to go hot rod my lawn mower now, your fault lol. Good video.

[@powellmachineinc]

Lol, when ur wife scolds u just blame it on me!👌

[@scottfritz4988]

Could you do one on picking the correct heat range plug?

[@powellmachineinc]

Will do

[@Prowbar]

Very clear, thanks. One thing I'm wondering about: how can you tell that you have the right heat range? Otherwise you're reading the plug and making assumptions that are wrong.

[@powellmachineinc]

That will be another video

[@cpdevon]

Always grind off the stamped number when drilling out a jet

[@powellmachineinc]

@@cpdevon yep, that is a must!

[@therory6888]

Good video. Thanks.

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you liked it!

[@19815389]

How about regrinding the cam after you get the fuel fixed up , as long as it’s not two cycle of course, very good video

[@powellmachineinc]

It's coming

[@BlindBatG34]

That’s a fantastic video. Thanks!

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you liked it!

[@brianalbrecht4423]

"no Andrew's were hert flim'n this video"...lmao...that was good..!...great video...explaned "real" well..!..!..first learned about drill'n jets..@ 17yo...since than i have never seen ,or herd of "pin vices".?..!..."thank u"...we always put the dill bits in a vice & ran the jets down with r fingers...over 47 years do'n it that way..just learned something new..better..!..thank u Mr. Powell..!.can i get them @ any store...?..hate get stuff on line..just my old ways..!..what would u recommend..?..thanks again 4 share'n your knowledge...!...!

[@powellmachineinc]

Thank you sir!

[@markferguson598]

Darn fun video. Thanks fellas

[@powellmachineinc]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@josecarreira8934]

I will ask you a question would an AFR gauge and oxygen sensor be a good tuning tool also.

[@powellmachineinc]

Absolutely, we tell everyone add it to ur build, it will help tremendously

[@BEANS-O-MATICtransmissions]

He should save up for a CVT clutch setup for that, makes a BIG difference in top AND bottom end

[@powellmachineinc]

Definitely