What kind of spark plugs are y'all using? What gap do you use if you have an electronic ignition module installed? Thanks ..

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

Hi,  That's a nice looking '56.  I had a similar one back in the 60's.  Regarding plugs, with a basically stock Y-block there is no particular reason to deviate from the stock Autolites.  I can't speak for the others on this site as to what they are using, hopefully some of them will chime in.  If you have a favorite brand, then give them a try.  Here are some part numbers that will fit your engine:

Autolite: 46/ BSF82C   Bosch: 7551/ DR10BC   Champion: 21/ F14YC  Motorcraft: 30/ BF82C (old p/n)  631/ BSF82CF6 (newer p/n)  NGK: 2438/ WR5

The first number is the stock number used at the auto parts stores, the second is the actual plug number. 

I would open up the gap to .040" or .045" if you are running a sold state ignition module.  A longer spark will help somewhat.  I also believe in "indexing" the plugs, that's where you orient the gap so that the incoming air/fuel mixture sees the open gap, rather than the back side of the ground electrode.  I think Ted is going to do an article about this in Y-Block Magazine.  Good for a few HP at high RPM.

All of the plugs I've listed are fairly hot in heat range, for performance use and to reduce detonation I'd go a heat range colder. 

Have fun,  Nick Brann - K.C., MO

Thanks Nick. That's just the info I needed. I was sort of partial to Bosh's but I think Motorcraft is pretty hard to beat too. I need plugs in my Navigator and it's gonna get Motorcrafts. Thanks again ..

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

While the standard heat ranges are generally available, the slightly colder #s seem harder to find.

What I have NOT seen in any of the Y-block/early-bird literature is a comprehensive range-chart detailing the suitability/availability/reliability/interchangeability of the various brands' colder plug options. It's almost as if the manufacturers encourage this kind of confusion!

Personal experience details related to various Y-block engine modifications would certainly be helpful, especially if you have a worn motor with some cylinders that run lean, and others that foul the plugs?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Its been awhile since I looked, but I believe NKG has a good heat range chart.





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Paul.  I deleted both posts.  Not a problem.

 

And for everyone else, be cautious of just walking into the parts store and asking for a set of spark plugs for the Y.  I recently did this at O’Reilly’s and was handed a set of Autolite 124’s which is a very cold industrial or truck plug.  This spark plug is very similar to the Motorcraft BTF-1’s that I use in my 14.0:1 CR 427 Ford.  Although this plug is technically too cold for a normal Y Block, it will work well in a racing evironment with a high compression ratio or in a blown application.  The 124’s is what is being used in Randy’s dragster Y engine.  I’ve been running the Motorcraft BF22’s in the roadster Y which is currently at 13.0:1 CR and they are holding up well as I have more than three years on the current set.  Gotta love that electronic ignition on that roadster as there’s no way I’d be getting that kind of plug life with points.

 

For a stock Y, I’ve just been using the Autolite 46’s.  If the compression ratio is being stepped up to 9½:1, then I’ll recommend the Autolite 45’s.  With electronic ignition and a decent tune on the carburetor, getting in excess of 50,000 miles to a set of plugs should be no problem at all.  This is assuming of course that the engine is in fair condition to begin with.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

The plug I'm using in the hopped up t-bird is the NKG WR51X Iridium which seems to be working well and are made for y-blocks, 390s, 428s etc.

-Gary Burnette-