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Spark Plug time

Forum: C4 Engines, Driveline and Handling

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Spark Plug time

Posted: 12/20/13 5:54pmMessage 1 of 9
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Trooper
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Hermitage, TN - USA
Joined: 8/8/2010
Posts: 280
Vette(s): 1990 C-4 Coupe Polo Green Saddle Interior L-98
recently I was entering an Interstate and saw that the traffic coming up beside and behind me was wall to wall thick and I was gonna have trouble merging in. the road in front of me was clear so I dropped a gear and hit the gas to get out without problems. I noticed thru the rear view mirror a large amount of blue smoke. I thought about it for a second and realized I have had this car for 3 years and only driven it 5,000 miles. Everyone tells me I need to change the plugs because they have not been fired enough (I am no mechanic.) I bought the ac delco double platinums. I plan on changing them myself, are there any special tricks or requirements that I need to know before I tackle this job.........

Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 12/23/13 6:59amMessage 2 of 9
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windrider1200
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Clifton, NJ - USA
Joined: 10/3/2003
Posts: 142
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe Ontario Orange Black leather interior LS-5; Turbo 400
Blue smoke would tend to indicate crankcase oil entering 1 or more cyclinder on the intake side.  Could be intake gasket, rings, or intake valve seal.  I don't beleive changing plugs would change that. 
 
By pulling & examining the existing plugs might indicate which cylinders are involved.  Further diagnostics, ie compression test / leakdown testing should identify any cylinders with ring issues, replacing the intake gaskets & valve seals would eliminate those  potential sources.
 
IMHO, I would change all valve seals.
 
Hope this helps abit.

1972 T Top 454; "Boomer" Latest "upgrades": 1 1/8" front Stabilizer bar. Rebuilt SS calipers with O-ring pistons. Under car Chambered exhaust. Fiberglass rear spring (360lbs/in). Bilstein Rear Shocks. 3/4" Rear Stabilizer Bar. Tow hitch. Performer manifold with 600 cfm Holley. Comp Cam 262 .499 lift. L-88 Hood in process

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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 12/23/13 6:32pmMessage 3 of 9
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wingnut-C4
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Naples, FL - USA
Joined: 6/19/2011
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1984 C4 Mild mods.85 fuelpump,Accel ignition, TCI, shiftkit, ramAir, Boshplat plugs, duels straight, VP 106 fuel mix, 1990 wheels,, Silver/Gray 1996 LT 4 Stock muffler eliminators Torch Red ZR1 Wheels
Smile I am thinking of changing my plugs, any sugestions??? 96 LT4 I have 50,000 miles on orignal ones, Jegs said Bosh plat. ??Question
Wingnut
 
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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 12/26/13 10:45amMessage 4 of 9
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windrider1200
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Clifton, NJ - USA
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Posts: 142
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe Ontario Orange Black leather interior LS-5; Turbo 400
After doing searches on a number of Vette forums, I'm going with the Denso IT-16 Iridium plugs.  About $7 a shot.
 
I guess if one stuck to the major brands, and away from the "multiple ground" plugs, results would be comparable..
 
Beer
 
Cheers

1972 T Top 454; "Boomer" Latest "upgrades": 1 1/8" front Stabilizer bar. Rebuilt SS calipers with O-ring pistons. Under car Chambered exhaust. Fiberglass rear spring (360lbs/in). Bilstein Rear Shocks. 3/4" Rear Stabilizer Bar. Tow hitch. Performer manifold with 600 cfm Holley. Comp Cam 262 .499 lift. L-88 Hood in process

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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 12/26/13 11:02amMessage 5 of 9
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22714
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
No reason to use anything other than AC/Delco plugs on these, unless you have some serious mods to the engine...imho. I'm a firm believer in using whatever the factory used in any of my vehicles. They've done all the R&D on the engine systems, and spec'd a particular plug for it for a reason, and not just because they were the cheapest. Extra cash on Bosh, NGK or any sooper dooper platinum 4-electrode plugs is a waste of money....you don't need it. While it's true that some plat plugs will burn/survive a little better in an oiler, if you have one that's oil-fouling the plugs, a high dollar plug won't fix the oil problem...
Just my .002 Wink

Joel Adams
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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 1/1/14 9:37amMessage 6 of 9
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marks146
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I couldn't agree more with "Adam's Apple". Put in the exact same plugs the factory installed.




--  Mark

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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 1/2/14 7:46pmMessage 7 of 9
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windrider1200
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Clifton, NJ - USA
Joined: 10/3/2003
Posts: 142
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe Ontario Orange Black leather interior LS-5; Turbo 400
Since the factory sparkplug was selected 17-19 years ago, I decided on the Iridiums because of the potential for better exposure of the spark to the rest of the combustion chamber, due to the smaller size of the electrode and the mground strap.  In theory. 
 
I wonder what type of plugs come in a 2014 vette..

1972 T Top 454; "Boomer" Latest "upgrades": 1 1/8" front Stabilizer bar. Rebuilt SS calipers with O-ring pistons. Under car Chambered exhaust. Fiberglass rear spring (360lbs/in). Bilstein Rear Shocks. 3/4" Rear Stabilizer Bar. Tow hitch. Performer manifold with 600 cfm Holley. Comp Cam 262 .499 lift. L-88 Hood in process

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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 1/3/14 5:25pmMessage 8 of 9
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396c4
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Well, I'm going to disagree with the need to use the original. There are reasons to change not the least of which is tendency to rust externally. You have to remember that GM will save a buck anywhere they can. That said, you don't need Iridium high mileage plugs to do 5K a year. Also, GM picked a heat range for a wide variety conditions including dead of winter. If you're not driving in the winter, you might benefit from a little colder range but you have to watch the plugs. Speaking of which, never pull plugs from an engine with aluminum heads when it's hot.

There is some evidence that E-3's will propagate a faster flame front which is power. I switched to them successfully and no issues yet. I think a little more spark advance might negate that but if your're not going deeper, you might pick up a little.

The blue smoke is definitely un-related. My guess is hard valve guide seals but the other steps described are worth looking into. Pulling the plugs will tell you which cylinders have the oil issue.
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Re: Spark Plug time

Posted: 1/3/14 6:11pmMessage 9 of 9
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Trooper
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Hermitage, TN - USA
Joined: 8/8/2010
Posts: 280
Vette(s): 1990 C-4 Coupe Polo Green Saddle Interior L-98
There is a reason you guys do what you do and I dont. Turns out you were right about the plugs, they werent related. My Brother in law (who is a mechanic) sent me to the Parts store and told me to buy a new PCV valve. So after $3.30 I came home and put it on. Took the car out for a test drive and scared the shit out of myself... No more smoke, and I had no idea my power had dropped so bad. Dang car took off like a bat out of h***. Punched it from a slow rolling start, tires broke loose (They hadnt done that in about a year) and acceleration was through the roof. Made me a very happy man. So I put the plugs in the cabinet till needed later........ Thanks for causing me to ask more questions guys, saved me a lot of hard work and made me happy for an entire $3 bucks....

Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

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