C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Question about Spark Plugs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 06:12 PM
  #1  
427basketcase's Avatar
427basketcase
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Default Question about Spark Plugs

Hello all, I am about to convert from dual point to HEI on a 69 427 / 390, with a mild cam, and headers. What plug and gap would be recomended?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 07:01 PM
  #2  
Roughrider's Avatar
Roughrider
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Default

To start, I'd stick with the stock application...maybe open the gap from .035" to .045" since you'll have the HEI to fire it. Make sure it's properly tuned and timing is correct. Run it for awhile...maybe 500-1000 miles and the pull the plugs and see how they look. "Reading" plugs is somewhat of an art but it should tell you whether you have the correct heat range.

Do it regularly until you're comfortable you have it correct.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 07:14 PM
  #3  
Kalway's Avatar
Kalway
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Default

.040" - .045" gaps work fine with HEI
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 09:40 PM
  #4  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default

I used accel #276 with a .045 gap. They also have the shorty plug #276S
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 09:46 PM
  #5  
BSeery's Avatar
BSeery
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Default

I agree. You can't go wrong with .045 on an HEI.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 07:26 AM
  #6  
dmaaero's Avatar
dmaaero
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: wilmington nc
Default

Running a smaller gap will produce a hotter spark, gap should be determined from the compression of the engine. Higher compression engines like smaller gaps with hotter spark. Changing the gap as little as .005 will result in a 80-100 degree temp change inside the cylinder. Were talking 450 degrees here, opening that gap up .010 will cool off cylinder temp considerable which in return will allow for carbon build up. It"s just a thought but you may want to research the compression of that 427 and gap acordingly.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 10:42 AM
  #7  
427basketcase's Avatar
427basketcase
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Default

Thanks for the replies, looks like I had better check the compression of the engine also. It was built when I bought the car and runs really well so I really haven't researched it's internals.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 01:18 PM
  #8  
zwede's Avatar
zwede
Race Director
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Default

Originally Posted by dmaaero
Running a smaller gap will produce a hotter spark, gap should be determined from the compression of the engine. Higher compression engines like smaller gaps with hotter spark. Changing the gap as little as .005 will result in a 80-100 degree temp change inside the cylinder. Were talking 450 degrees here, opening that gap up .010 will cool off cylinder temp considerable which in return will allow for carbon build up. It"s just a thought but you may want to research the compression of that 427 and gap acordingly.
None of this is correct. Not being a jerk, just stating a fact.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 04:01 PM
  #9  
dmaaero's Avatar
dmaaero
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: wilmington nc
Default

It"s not a problem, i was just stating what i read, doesn"t mean its right just because i read it. I would be interested in hearing (why) it"s all incorrect.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Question about Spark Plugs





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:06 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE