Spark Plug reading Help Options

[tornik550]

I am in the process of tuning my carbs. I had been dealing with some significant rich running issues that I posted in a previous post. That issue is resolved. Now, I am able to drive the car however it seems to hesitate at cruising speeds (2500k rpm). Idle seems a little rough.

I am a novice at reading spark plugs. I am looking for opinions on this plug. The other plugs look the same except the white on the electrode only goes a little past the curve.

I should note that the timing was a bit too advance and has been dialed back a slight bit.

My guess- little too rich, too hot of spark plug and timing too advanced.


Setup info-
Dual weber 40 idf- recently sync'd
idle jet- 60
mains-145
air correction jets- 200
emulsion tubes- f11
vents 32
Spark Plugs- NGK BP7ES
Engine- 2.27l

I should also note that I have a lot of spark plugs laying around. Doe anybody know if a NGK BP8ES is hotter old colder than BP7ES (think its colder).

[ME733]

.Your / the plug gap appears to be excessive...to big...., the fuel air ratio is lean...the engine is running lean.....go down on the air correction jet as a starting point ..one jet size.........and the accelator pump jet size and fuel volume might need to be richened up......Check the plug gap FIRST.... .028 ths.....What oil are you using?...dino or synthetic?...how new is this engine? is it broken in yet?...rings seated?...

[tornik550]

.Your / the plug gap appears to be excessive...to big...., the fuel air ratio is lean...the engine is running lean.....go down on the air correction jet as a starting point ..one jet size.........and the accelator pump jet size and fuel volume might need to be richened up......Check the plug gap FIRST.... .028 ths.....What oil are you using?...dino or synthetic?...how new is this engine? is it broken in yet?...rings seated?...

I have the plug gap set at .40. I read that somewhere around .40 was correct when using a MSD unit. I can change it an see what happens.

I have th floats set up at 10.5 with the gasket in place.

I am using 20-50 dino oil.

My engine is very new. It has approx 200 miles on it. I followed a break in procedure but I cannot really remember the exact procedure- it was 6 mo ago or so. How do I tell if the rings are seated?

[ME733]

.Your / the plug gap appears to be excessive...to big...., the fuel air ratio is lean...the engine is running lean.....go down on the air correction jet as a starting point ..one jet size.........and the accelator pump jet size and fuel volume might need to be richened up......Check the plug gap FIRST.... .028 ths.....What oil are you using?...dino or synthetic?...how new is this engine? is it broken in yet?...rings seated?...

I have the plug gap set at .40. I read that somewhere around .40 was correct when using a MSD unit. I can change it an see what happens.

I have th floats set up at 10.5 with the gasket in place.

I am using 20-50 dino oil.

My engine is very new. It has approx 200 miles on it. I followed a break in procedure but I cannot really remember the exact procedure- it was 6 mo ago or so. How do I tell if the rings are seated?

Well with only 200 miles on the engine the rings are not broken in or seated completely yet..( generally after 500 to 1000 miles the rings seat.)(variation due to cylinder wall finish)..The reason I suggested checking the plug GAP is that , with a Lean mixture, and excessive plug GAP you can have misfires/and detonation....which might/or could be the hesitation you mentioned...I asked about dino/synthetic oil.....plug readings with synthetic oil ESPECIALLY on a new engine W/O seated rings can be trickey. You do not have that as a diagonistic problem...CHECK all four spark plugs, if apperance is same , assume float level is correct.
....Reduce the air correction jet size to richen up the fuel mixture., set timing at 27 degrees BTDC total advance.(for now)....YOU NEED MORE HEAT in the engine before the rings are going to seat properly. DO NOT "drive it like you stole it" as some idiots may have suggested as a break in technique. Keep the revs at or below 4000 rpms., make sure you have FRESH uncontaminated gas....go on 15/20 minute trips. shut down and let cool off. The heat cycling will promote proper seating of the total engine components "warping" seasoning of the engine.( it'll last a hell of a lot longer)...Check valve lash at 500 miles.....I look forward to your progress reports. Murray.