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Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

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Old Nov 19, 2009 | 07:47 PM
  #1  
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Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Hey guys and gals,

Ok, so yesterday I had my car tuned after it began to run kinda rough last week and my mechanic found that the #8 plug was fouled enough to probably be the cause and explained reasons that this in itself could cause the problem, with the ultimate solution of course being relatively costly major engine work.

But, he did give me an alternative solution, abeit not a permanent fix, that might keep me on the road for a while longer...that being a Spark Plug Non-fouler.

I gave him the go-ahead to install it (added $9.95 to the final tune-up cost) and he completed the tune-up and the car is running great.

So, I'm curious what you all think about this small modification, how effective it is, how long can I expect the plug to remain "unfouled" and, if there are any down-sides to using one of these gizmos?

Thanks,

Gene

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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 09:17 AM
  #2  
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From: Pueblo Co
Car: 1989 C4
Engine: L98
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Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Ahh hmm.... Yeah they work for a short time to those who dont know what this is its a little tube that extends the spark plug out of the head kinda cheezy. Did the mechanic mention why the plug was fouling? Not to be harsh or anything but chances are good the plug fouling was due to a worn plug or a crappy plug wire. If the rings are bad in that hole or you have a valve sucking oil the anti plug fouler isnt going to do anything for it may keep it a little cleaner for a day at most compared to where it should be.
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Old Oct 1, 2011 | 05:39 PM
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Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
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Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Well I guess im having the same issue...I put new plugs in and got maybe 5-10 seconds of idle, pretty much the POS didn't even warm up!!! Im getting so pissed at this car...the front plugs on both sides are fine but the futher I go back the blacker they get..hell the 4 in the back near the distributor look like charcoal briquettes...I leaned my carb all the way out before starting and it still fouled them after on start...could it be oil or wires somebody help me please before I hurt myself trying to figure this out
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Old Oct 1, 2011 | 06:07 PM
  #4  
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From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

what kinda carb is it? do the 4 bad plugs smell like gas?
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Old Oct 1, 2011 | 06:54 PM
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Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
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Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Its a holley 750 vacuum secondary street avenger....as far as the plugs go, I don't know wether they smelt like gas or oil smh...I think I have a oil leak but don't know if its the gas half burnt
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Old Oct 1, 2011 | 07:33 PM
  #6  
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Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
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Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Its a holley 750 vacuum secondary street avenger....as far as the plugs go, I don't know wether they smelt like gas or oil smh...I think I have a oil leak but don't know if its the gas half burnt
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:02 AM
  #7  
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From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

have you tried adjusting your float level on the bowls? maybe the rear is flooding?
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:07 AM
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Transmission: T56 (LT1)
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Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Wouldnt the front flood too?
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:25 AM
  #9  
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Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

not neccesarily. they are seperate from each other. you should be useing a fuel pressure regulater before the carb, set around 5 psi. a gauge to verify the pressure is good too. i have a gauge right on the dual feed line. what are you useing for a fuelpump?
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:29 AM
  #10  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Im using a mechanical fuel pump...I have a intank fuel pump hooked up but I think its dead now as well...so im not even going to bother trying to fix it...jus run mechanical. My secondary float is overflowing but wont the air/ fuel mixture screws stop it from pouring too much? These are probably some dumb questions but I never touched a crab before in my life lol
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:34 AM
  #11  
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Car: 87 iroc-z
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Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

its cool. no, your gonna need to adjust your floats. at least it wont cost you anything. lol.
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:50 AM
  #12  
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Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Sounds to me like you need to adjust the floats, which is very easy. Do a net search or check the following link for how-to info:

http://hotrodscott.blogspot.com/2007...ingtuning.html

JamesC
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:51 AM
  #13  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Very true indeed and that's definitely the road I need to be on costless repairs, do you think I should regulate it as well to be on the safe side???
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:54 AM
  #14  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

I have an idea on how to adjust them only thing is do you think my crusty black sparks will fire long enough to make adjustments
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:57 AM
  #15  
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From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

i use regulater for consistent fuel pressure. but you can get by without one for now as long as your only useing the mechanical pump. it doesnt take long to adjust the floats. do you have the clear sight plugs?
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 07:10 AM
  #16  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

No I have the non sight screw in sights..who makes "sight" plugs you can't see thru the irony...which brings me to this...is the rule of thumb concerning the fuel sights pliable? If its anywhere above the bottom of the sight its garaunteed to flood or can it be pushed a bit...to be honest I haven't completely taken them out cause fuel comes out pretty fast on the rear and is more then leaking out the front smh I think I jus asnwered my own question
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 07:25 AM
  #17  
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Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

You also might wish to take a peek at the Holley tuning sticky in the carb forum.

JamesC
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 07:26 AM
  #18  
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From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

thats a good link james put up there. any speed shop should carry clear sight plugs, but you dont NEED them. im sure holley has a bunch of info on theyre site as well. its gonna be night & day difference when you get the carb set up & tuned correctly.
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 07:35 AM
  #19  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Originally Posted by JamesC
Sounds to me like you need to adjust the floats, which is very easy. Do a net search or check the following link for how-to info:

http://hotrodscott.blogspot.com/2007...ingtuning.html

JamesC
You talking about This link here??? Yes, I think i seen all I needed in the first paragraph ima cont. Reading tho...im on barracks watch so ima see what im not doing and hopefully ill be back giving you guys tracking numbers for y'all superhero capes
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 03:09 PM
  #20  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Well I started my tuning proceedure...went to turn over the engine a big spark shot out the carb....idk if I went from bad to worse or what smh...clueless!
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Old Oct 4, 2011 | 07:40 PM
  #21  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

LOL ok here's the update on my spark issue...well I called myself being a good consumer and call a "Mobile Mechanic" long story short this SPOS come to my house and don't know the first thing about a damn carb even if Dr Suess wrote a book about it...my carb shot a big *** flame out the top and he said ahhh yea its too much fuel...he was 5 seconds from picking his teeth and tongue out of my garage...kicked his *** out and told him to find his way out the neighborhood lol...yea that maybe harsh but I can imagine how many ppl this guy ripped off by now...but I'm back it myself hopefully headed in the right direction I think I have a timing issue :s...
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Old Oct 8, 2011 | 04:22 AM
  #22  
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From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

lol. yea, i think id time the motor first.
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Old Oct 8, 2011 | 08:11 AM
  #23  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Yea Joe I finally got the time right and went to turn it over and it still didn't start...good thing is the backfire is gone bad thing is I don't know why it ain't starting, got fuel, air, and combustion even used starter fluid and still can't get it to turn over...I got spark but do you think its possible my dizzy coil is not putting out enough power...I don't have a multimetere but this seems like it could be the issue
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Old Oct 10, 2011 | 02:51 PM
  #24  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Still having issues...I checked everything....things I've notice but don't think they would stop the engine from starting...half my spark plug wires are cracked, my distributer rotor cap, the silve prong the ignition coil sits on is slightly bent...I got new wires and plugs, I just want to know before I put them on that the plugs and wires were the issue
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Old Oct 10, 2011 | 03:02 PM
  #25  
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From: Seoul, South Korea
Car: 1990 RS
Engine: SBC 350 YearOne Crate
Transmission: T56 (LT1)
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spark Plug Non-Fouler Inquiry

Wait!!! Do you think the car being on jackstands could cause the fuel to not get to the front pistons and flood the rear pistons making starting impossible??? I'm looking at the engine and its tilted backwards a bit...when my electric fuel pump was connected it fired right up...I'm guessing because it primed the system and all the cylinders were ready to ignite...but for some reason its not working anymore and that's all can pretty much bring this back to...somebody help I think wee almost there!!!
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