SPARK PLUG TECHNICAL INSIGHT FOR STREET OR RACE!

TALKING ABOUT WHEN THINGS ARE ON THE EDGE WITH SPARK PLUGS AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT TO KEEP RACING!
WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND WHAT TO DO.
I get numerous requests for technical advice and if interested, tex me @ 626 203 2712. $100-Half hour to $150-1 hour+ rates. Most calls go over as posted and it is ok. US Pacific time zone.

[@georgeduarte3240]

Thank you again Ben for this lesson. Always learning more and more with you’re instructional videos. I just switch to NGK’s last week, before watching this lesson.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks George!

[@Mike-FoxsAbroad]

I fought with my car for two years trying to get the tune correct with using Autolite plugs. The AFR's said one thing but the plugs were saying the opposite. I was chasing my tail. I installed some NGK's and was elated because the plug color was finally making sense with the AFR and the jetting changes. It was easy to tune after that point and swearing off the Autolite's. This was something I learned the hard way a bit over 10 years ago.

[@chestrockwell8328]

Nice channel you have messing with the Lima engine.

[@Mike-FoxsAbroad]

@@chestrockwell8328 Thanks, but it's slow for updates. The new valve springs and other parts missing in the mail since last year. Also the machine shop taking forever for the balancing. All part and parcel to doing things overseas.

[@chestrockwell8328]

@@Mike-FoxsAbroad I can relate, my machine shop took forever to get my block, crank, heads, pistons/rods back...2 years. though I wasn't in a big hurry, though wasn't up for a 2 year wait either.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

@@Mike-FoxsAbroad Parts are hard to come by today and difficult everywhere!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

@@chestrockwell8328 I am having the same difficulties today and seems like everything is out of stock!

[@yurimodin7333]

Ben, you are gonna put yourself out of business giving us all your secrets for free......once again, PURE GOLD.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yuri, there are more so sometimes I am thinking what is safe to show and not beat myself in the process! lol Thanks again.

[@79beans347]

@@benalamedaracing2765 no dont hold back give us all of the knowledge you wont never hafta race me for sure 🤣😂 I wouldnt have a chance if I did 🤣

[@theodorgiosan2570]

I have an engine that needs to run surface gap plugs. The ones with no heat range that are completely flat on the bottom. Pain in the ass to tune with but even the coldest conventional plugs will cause this engine to detonate. Subaru EA71S pushrod flat 4. The plugs are mounted in a part of the head with no water jacket. Even an NGK 11 heat range plug will overheat and cause detonation. But this is an engine with primitive combustion chambers that requires 40-45 degrees of timing to make power.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I am not familiar with that engine. Is it NA and what year was it built?

[@gabrieldimarco9646]

Thank you Ben. It's always good to hear when a person with more experience than me confirms that I'm on the correct path - and when I'm not on the correct path.😁

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Glad i am able to help with your projects! Stay in touch Gabriel.

[@79beans347]

Getting really close to 3k subs congrats man you have earned everyone of them with the tips,tricks and knowledge you have shared. Keep them coming Im absorbing all of this info 😁👍

[@benalamedaracing2765]

At first I thought the technical videos would work but so far it has been really good! Thanks again.

[@79beans347]

@@benalamedaracing2765 yeah your putting info out that most of us doesnt think about that will help us be more competitive

[@alltherpm]

I like how u show to measure cut electrode gap at a angle makes sense, and to bend it forward to shorten it

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@richdouche8253]

These are the type videos that should be kept in a racer's archive for all future references. Things that shouldn't be lost or ravaged by time.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Rich for the comments and appreciate it much sir!

[@AdinSLaboy]

Great video Ben also thanks for the spark plug video I save my engine b series Honda turbo the I was using bk5 and it was very lean I change them for bk7 and gap them to 30 and now my car wake up

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Glad to be of help and happy it worked out well. Where you running a wide gap at the time and increasing boost makes it impossible to jump the spark gap and also going colder on the plug definitely help! Thanks Adin.

[@lawrencejones4161]

Ben, you tell great stories. Some guys just don't want to go fast. LOL you are patient.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yes sir and if they drive slow or slower and watching my videos something is not right! lol

[@Comet-hn3gm]

NGK has been my plug of choice since the mid seventies. Ben it's called a Otoscope.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for reminding me perhaps I am getting old and forgetting these things!

[@GroverBoysRacing777AdamGrover]

I go through the same thing with trying to help people lol. Personally i try to use a wide band and read the plugs to see how they look together.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Relying on just the computer to tell us the AF ratios is dangerous for the high horsepower group due to the fact it does not take much to melt a piston or blow a gasket both or other worse things! So we pull and look at them closely.

[@GroverBoysRacing777AdamGrover]

@@benalamedaracing2765 that and youre also talking about somthing thats calibrated, whos to know if its off by .01 or .5 etc. Its a tool to HELP with tuning. Not to rely on. Some people dont understand that lol. A buddy of mine went to a tuning class and mentioned the plug and the wide band told 2 different stories what should he do, and these people think that the wideband tells all. Lol.

[@rogerpaulll1451]

wow i can see ive made some spark plug mistakes thanks ben great information

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Roger, we all learn from our mistakes and glad you are more informed and aware now.

[@theshed8802]

Great stuff Ben. Really enjoy your technical videos. I certainly agree with you about reading NGK plugs. Certainly a lot easier than most of the others. My other favourite plug is Nippon Denso. Not readily available where I am anymore, and comparatively expensive, where I am. That said, I find that, as a street/performance plug, they have a much wider operating temperature range than anything else that I have tried. Due to availability issues, NGK is the plug that I use for just about everything nowadays. You will never go wrong using them. Regards Greg

[@benalamedaracing2765]

The NGK is very sensitive and shows the changes when we are testing and when you have lots of horsepower? We need to have something that is reliable and consistent in its coloring indications.

[@matthewtucker2806]

Thanks ben for the lesson. I deal allot with spark plug reading and we have people mis diagnosing timing and spark plug heat range all the time. Most of the time the problem isnt the carburetor! Talk to you soon. Thanks

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Matthew, sorry for the delays seems to be the norm today. LIke my answers above people are having difficulties trying to get parts!

[@SouthlandPerformance]

Thanks Ben. Great info.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks as well SP!

[@dalelockett2619]

Once again, thanks Ben for all this knowledge you're sharing w\ us! 👍👊

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Dale, receive your payment and thank you appreciate it very much sir!

[@kennykirby3598]

Really enjoy litening too you,you make it sound easy,thanks again,you should go on drag boss garage

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Kenny!

[@bulldogbradford8081]

Great video Ben!!!!

[@robertclymer6948]

Hello Ben! Thanks for your valuable info and teachings. Cheers from Motown/Dearborn.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Robert! Nice pony there i see.

[@gregsidel3557]

Thank you Ben

[@Jvcomet]

Always good info

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks JV!

[@jrsgarage3244]

Teacher your really helping me learn a lot , Thank you ♥️ love your super Wisdom 👍

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thank you! 😃

[@brynedolor8015]

I love N/A motors

[@benalamedaracing2765]

It is really the hardest builds specially if you are restricted by rules because you cannot rely on chemical or boosted assistance big time! Thanks for your support Bryne!

[@carlking3964]

Very very great content ben. I've learned more and more about the whys that was going on with my 66 gto! Half stock car 455, and half 400 ho's. I guess it really didn't know what to do hmhmhmhm, but scream it always did, it was a handfull. Thank you sir, for your time and info!! SO.ILL. 😊

[@benalamedaracing2765]

That is awesome!

[@ВасилийУткин-л4н]

Thanks for knowledge!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@stuartwall8212]

Thanks Ben. I have taken pictures of spark plugs with my phone, and then zoom in on the picture.....you see stuff that the naked eye can not see.....But I am still learning what any of it means.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Stuart, that is a great idea if I do not have my plug scope with me. I got to try that sometime and thanks for the suggestion! Like I says all the time, we all learn from each other.

[@NPOSK]

Thank you kuya Ben, here we call the cut negative terminal sidegapped.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

That seems to be a nice description to the process and thank you! We did this years ago when nitrous systems where crude and inconsistent and it save us from melting the plugs starting with the ground strap.

[@robertheymann5906]

Awesomeness. Thx again

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thnks Robert!

[@Bbba724]

I do that at the electrode round is detonating. This is great! The 2 threads is great and the puffy ring around the bottom of the electrode. Is a 9 too cold on a street / strap at 11:1 FE? As NGKs go up in numbers the colder they are. I run 7s in my bike.

[@paul44235]

Ben, I've been watching all of your videos since I found your channel. Awesome information with a different point of view. Not the same thing everyone else says time and time again. It is also great to have detailed Ford experience and tips. Can you recommend a NGK plug for my Windsor please? 4.060, TFS 11R190 heads, 12.1:1 static, 8.9:1 dynamic, with a 44 quench. N/A street car running 93 octane, 93 Foxbody T5, 3.73 gears. I would appreciate your help.

[@paul44235]

I forgot to add, I'm running an AED 750 HO 4150 style carb.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

What is the recommended spark plug make to they specify and crossover to an NGK . Let me know here and I will look for it and forward to you.

[@paul44235]

Hello Ben, I believe most people run Autolite 3924. I know I will need to adjust temperature ranges, but what plug would you suggest I start with?

[@davehaas6830]

Quench Question is .035 to tight for steel rod 351w 7000RPM Thanks Ben

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I run them as close as .027-028 as long as the piston rock is not excessive. You are safe with that Dave!

[@79beans347]

That was some very good info on the sparklers 😁 i like the strap to be short and off to the side of the electrode. It seems to work and u just confirmed it. The cam I have has a 106 intake centerline with a 110 lobe separation angle. Would you advance this cam+4°? Just checking before I dig in 🤣. Dont want to go slower 🤣

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I think you are fine the way it is but to do the change and test will removed all doubt if it is correct. Sometimes when It looks good on paper does not look good at the track. Then we are all dammed. lol Just test it and it will answer your question as well as the same for others.

[@79beans347]

@@benalamedaracing2765 Ok thanks I think Ill leave it the way it is then. Ill know next time if its 110 icl to advance it 4° because you was sure about that , im just trying to learn when to advance or retard the cam and what to look for so that ill know and if u dont ask you will never know. Thanks

[@randywl8925]

What is the reason NGK plugs are easier to read. Are they just as good for street engines...... I mean, if a guy tested AC, Autolite and NGK on a 300 HP daily driver....... Could he tell the difference? Like all of them, this was great info. I loved the guy that switched back to his regular plugs because liked to run slower. 😂

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Randy! Yes the NGK's are way above everyone in coloring and giving hint on where the tune should be. I have seen many try the different brands but when we switch they are hooked because the clocks tells them they are going in the right tune direction! Of course, except for that guy! lol I could never get over that and I still see him once in a while slower as usual. smdh.

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

Great info as usual! May have to try those NGK’s in my street driven 454. Just had it freshened up after knocking the thrust washer off the crank with a ballooning factory Tq converter.....running 702 cast iron oval ports closed chamber heads and flat tops for 9.6:1 CR & 0.039” quench, Clay Smith HR 221/235 @0.050” 0.578”/0.578” 109 LSA, 40* total advance, 3310 flowed 830 cfm by DaVinci, AirGap intake with no room to try a spacer. I apply your knowledge where I can....Thanks for sharing!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Sounds like your BBC should be responsive and killer for the streets!

[@Bbba724]

Ben, you mentioned that Turbos are a cushion vs NA . If we have 2 engines of 850 HP, one turbo and the other NA. Would longer connecting rods cushion that TDC period, I know that the dwell at TDC is longer and I wonder if long rods would cushion the same way in a sense. On topic the little fluff line around the bottom in the crevice is what I look at. I run Motorcrafts BF32 and read them and I use a light and look for the fluff in the crevice. Am I wrong doing that way. I ran NGK non resistor with caps on my motorcycle. And they read great, I can see and they are simple.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I like long rods for most applications and the drawback is excessive weight that may be present if the rod is really wrong but makes the piston lighter because of the shorter skirt. Like anything too much can be a step back where you have the point of diminishing returns...

[@elvingoertzen8261]

Good video Ben. I thought spark plug gap might play a role in making more or less power or is it a minimal issue having the spark plug gap off a few thousandth?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Plug gap does not really effect power if it is not too large or too small both will create a probable misfire! On our high compression/boosted/nitrous engines we actually decrease our gaps so that it can jump across it instead of the wires or caps crossfiring. Stock engines or mild combinations will respond to large gaps and you can vary those from as far as .060 to as little as .032 without much negative consequence. With racing engines the smallest spark will create the big burn front because of the volatile mix inside the chambers and it does not make much spark to get the cycle going.

[@laytonturpin864]

Ben, in another video, which I can’t seem to find, you recommended an NGK R5671A plug. You also mentioned making it two steps colder. I went to the NGK site, and I couldn’t make any sense of it. Apparently you may have left some information out I guess. So my question is, what is the part number for two steps colder? Thanks a million in advance for your reply.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Call up the NGK tech line and tell them what kind of engine you have and they will give you options on heat range. One thing you have to remember NGK's goes the opposite on their heat range numbering compared to just about everybody.

[@laytonturpin864]

@@benalamedaracing2765 Thanks a million, Mr. Ben!

[@lollipop84858]

Any chance you can post a link to your spark plug reading tool please?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Will do these on the short videos. Thanks!

[@FiteTheGoodFight]

One of the engines that has the most controversy on spark plugs is the ford 3 valve with the long snout spark plug. Everybody says to stick with the Motorcraft plug, but are NGK plugs better on them too?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I like the NGK's for racing and that is all but that is altogether a different scenario. I see nothing wrong with the motorcrafts as long as you wipe on some anti-seize on the threads before you install them.

[@charlesperkins8654]

You didn't say what to do about the lean condition as to bigger jetting the carb ,or even if that's the right or wrong direction to deal with the lean condition. Just wanted to know!? Luv the spark plug fix though!!!haha hah yup!!! luvittoughtmesumpin.....

[@benalamedaracing2765]

If you are at a sea level track make sure your jetting is what it comes with if your carbs are used and somebody might have messed with them. If you need 4x bigger jets or smaller start looking for a problem. Vacuum leaks or too high a float will give you these troublesome issues so make sure all is good then you go from there!

[@robertheymann5906]

Thx Ben!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@cam3002]

Just found this channel, I'm subscribed. Interesting observations about dome pistons. On some engines, the head has room for a second plug. I've been told that you can run an extra point of compression with the same gas when you duel plug it. I'm specifically thinking of air cooled Porsche and BMW motorcycle engines. Any experience or thoughts on duel plug engines?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

A second plug on opposing sides of the chambers will do wonders because the lean areas around the intake valve closest to the cylinder wall is where secondary ignition sources emanate from! Having another plug in close proximity to this general area will eliminate this possibility of pressure and temperature spikes wherein the closer spark plug will allow this area to be consumed by the ignition flame front propagating in here instead of being last in the flame burn front. This is where is is really important. I have seen dual plugs on a SBC which did not really do much good because it was side to side instead of opposing each other in the chambers.

[@jamesandannschmitt6835]

Do you ever read the plug by the flame ring inside the plug?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yes sir always do specially with high horsepower levels you got to look at all corners and sides for the correct hint of its burning characteristics. I kind of hold back in respect to 2 of my team cars that run extremely hard, winning a bunch of races and I am sure they will not appreciate me going thru the fine details of plug tech... Most I show is the video when I pulled them after a run.

[@dondotterer24]

Thank you for the valuable information. No wonder sometimes reading plugs with a checker I had problems. Does this apply to regular plugs and platinum and others? Yes I'm going to run NGK for now on do you reccomend platinum or others?I will tell my friend that builds race engines about you videos.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for supporting my channel. I do not run platinum and just run standard non resistor NGKs because on the very fast cars we run once on a set and change plugs... Sometimes but rarely we will do 2 passes specially if we aborted the run and will do it again perhaps showing us what needs to be adjusted.

[@dondotterer24]

@@benalamedaracing2765 Thank you.

[@Backfire10]

Hi Ben, what is to much compression on a NA? Is 11.5:1 ok do you think. 37 Stroker/E7

[@benalamedaracing2765]

That is easily done specially with a juice cam and aluminum heads. If you are cast iron step up the duration and end up the same.

[@Shademax4273]

I always liked ngks too. Would running the same plug but with non projected tip give similar effects of running an additional washer? Ive read it also effectively retards ignition timing slightly compared to a projected tip plug.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

It does not change the timing.

[@sorshiaemms5959]

gotta find some nkgs for old 351 w heads if there available

[@benalamedaracing2765]

What plug are you running now number?

[@sorshiaemms5959]

@@benalamedaracing2765 Using a RF14 YC MOTOR HAS ABOUT 9.5 compression

[@claytonstoolbox]

Great video! Do you use anti-seize on your spark plug threads with aluminum heads?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Clayton, I do very little so it does help but largely unappreciated by racers who run them dry. Then the threads go bad...

[@edeburnmustang]

Is indexing spark plugs still a thing or not worth it ?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Depends if you have a big chamber with a big dome to get high compression! I always do when I am trying everything to get every little bit. On nitrous it does not seem to matter as much but on NA stuff it has some worthwhile benefits.

[@joe-hp4nk]

Are non resistor plugs any advantage?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

That is all we use at the track during testing.

[@joe-hp4nk]

@@benalamedaracing2765 Ok thanks, how about wires?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

@@joe-hp4nk I always use what MSD or whatever ignition system you are using recommends. This way there will be no side issues.

[@WillKlaver]

.. hell, a Torch is better than a Champion, that's still no Recommendation, tho .. 🙄🤭🚫

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I stay with one plug NGK because I can accurately determine what is really going inside the chambers. Now how to interpret what we are looking at is a different story with several opinions.

[@WillKlaver]

@@benalamedaracing2765 .. same ..

[@AndryshakGarage]

Ben Alamedas black magic 🪄. Lol as always thank you for your time. My boss mentioned something about cutting my cylinder on an angle. Is that beneficial on a street engine or worth doing.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks! I do not seem to see what you are stating cutting the cylinders at an angle???

[@79beans347]

@@benalamedaracing2765 maybe angle cutting the cylinder heads

[@benalamedaracing2765]

@@79beans347 I do not like angle milling because it costs a lot of money and the head bolts sits at an angle after all that work. So now we got to re machine the saddles as well... Too much work and just install a thinner gasket and maximized the quench!

[@79beans347]

@@benalamedaracing2765 Yeah i thought about doing it on mine one time but the machine shop couldnt figure out how to do it on his equiptment so I just got him to mill it the normal way as much as possible

[@flappingflight8537]

@@benalamedaracing2765 I think he speaks of so called softening of the quench areas .