I know the fine wire plugs are better than the massive electrode plugs, but I am wondering about brands, if one seems to be preferred over another and why.
Thanks Gary

Gary I think you will end up in a wheel vs 3 point discussion here, but I'll give you one side to start. Champion fine wires are all that the boss (40 some years of ag, A&P IA 27k some hours etc. etc.) will put in our aircraft. He will say bad words over autolite. Don't think he has ever tried any of the others such as Tempest etc.

Ye, I figur there might be a bit of a pissin contest over this, like with everything else, but I would like to hear the pros and cons from those with more experience than me.
Gary

I'm running Champion fine wires in my Mooney 201 and Autolite in my Husky. The Champions look to have sort of a painted surface, and rust over time, while the Autolites are plated and don't - - and they are less expensive. The Champions have about a thousand hours on them and the Autolites are newer with only a couple of hundred. I can tell no difference between the two brands in terms of operation.

shortfielder wrote:I know the fine wire plugs are better than the massive electrode plugs.......

Why's that?

hotrod150 wrote:

shortfielder wrote:I know the fine wire plugs are better than the massive electrode plugs.......

Why's that?

In the overall scheme of things, especially if you plan on keeping a plane, fine wires are doubtless cheaper as they will go to TBO and beyond. Reduced maintenance costs, resistance to lead and oil fouling are major pluses as well. In some engines, smoother running too.

Hi Gary, I run the massive electrode plugs. Autolite. Tempest bought them. Got Champions in now. I have 2 sets and rotate. I can tell no difference. I take the dirty ones out at 100 hr and put the clean ones in. Then clean the dirty ones when convenient so they are ready to go.

Awhile back I thought I had a spark plug problem, it was a mag problem. Don't for get to service your mags.

I am surprised how many clinkers build up in spark plugs in 100 hr. I lean for taxi and burn UL Mogas when at home. I know it is imperative to clean them around 100 hr or problems will start.

That's my 2 cents...Rob

I also run two sets of massive electrode, one Champion and one Auburn. I swap them out out every hundred hours and diligently clean/gap the spare set so they are ready to drop in anytime. I can tell absolutely no difference operationally between manufacture's plugs but they have Auburn plugs at the local shop for 12 bucks-a-piece until they are gone, so I have a 3rd new set waiting for the rotation. Ford vs. Chevy

shortfielder wrote:Ye, I figur there might be a bit of a pissin contest over this, like with everything else, but I would like to hear the pros and cons from those with more experience than me.
Gary

NO ....... come on Gary, what's make you think that??? We're all one big happy family here

On smaller engines and lower altitudes there is less difference. Tests show better efficiency and less gap erosion for fine wire especially on turbo engines. This seems to be the most referred to test. http://www.ramaircraft.com/Maintenance- ... assive.htm

dirtstrip wrote:On smaller engines and lower altitudes there is less difference. Tests show better efficiency and less gap erosion for fine wire especially on turbo engines. This seems to be the most referred to test. http://www.ramaircraft.com/Maintenance- ... assive.htm

Thanks for the link.

You may want to check with, Aircraft Spark Plug Service Inc in Van Nuys, California (ca)
I have had good luck with them and Remaned,fine wire are a fraction ao the cost of new.

From Spruce: REM 38E Massive plug: $25.50. REM 38S Iridium Fine Wire: $85.95

I switched back to massives after the last fine wire plugs wore out. And, they do wear out, though it takes longer. I just don't like having to take out a bank loan to buy spark plugs.

Imagine what a set of plugs for a P&W 4360 would run ya....

MTV

I had a customer with a C Model Staggerwing with a R-680 Lycoming in it. We were cleaning his plus on a 20-25 hour basis and he said, "buy a set of fine wires, hang the cost." We gave him the quote on the plugs before we ordered them. Good thing we had a start cart nearby as a poor man's defibrillator. He was floored. The R-680 Lycoming is a 9 cylinder radial, so that was 18 plugs at $75+/each.

I have alway stuck with Champion, although Unison would always pimp us mech's with free t-shirts.

Dave

Thanks guys
My engine came from Pponk with autolites, so I guess that's what they like. Doesn't really seem to be a significant difference beyond that.
I am aware of the fine wire being better. But I ain't got $500.00 for a set of plugs. I had 'em in my old engine, probly should have swapped 'em out. Man I got some good hindsight . I am having no issues, just know there was some errosion on the electodes at last annual, so I will put new plugs in this time.
Rob, there are a couple good additives, I'm sure they have been talked about before, and yu are probabbly aware,but they do a good job of scavenging lead.

Gary

In my experience, at least with Slick mags which I think don't throw as hot a spark as Bendix, the resistors in the plugs will give you trouble before the plugs themselves wear out. I had to replace 2 sets of plugs in my C170 at around 550 hours even though they still looked great-- they just wouldn't run right. Testing resistance through the plug identified the resistor problem. And maybe finewires don't foul as easy (??), but that's not an issue with E-zero mogas (unleaded).

I picked up a set of fine wires a while ago. In the process I noticed the significant price difference between the Champions and the Autolites. I asked around trying to figure out the functional difference between them and just got shrugs. Bought the Autolites but haven't run them yet, eventually I'll find out if there is any justification to the ridiculous price on the Champions.

I went from Champions to Autolite mostly because of the price but I do believe I've had fewer lead fouling problems with the Autolites.
HC

I have installed fine wire plugs in the planes I have worked on, that was managements decision though.

Holy Shit!!!!

As long as I have my airplane apart figured I'd r/r plugs if needed. I damn near choked when I looked at prices.

Gump