Changing spark plugs

Charlie M · Jul 3, 2011

Any rule of thumb for changing spark plugs in a tractor other than if they just wear out. Does age alone have any affect on them?

CNKS · Jul 3, 2011

Pull them out and look, you can see how worn they are. Doubt if age has any effect. You can also clean them and reset the gap.

rustyfarmall · Jul 3, 2011

We used to change the plugs twice a year. Once to get ready for Spring field work, and then again to be ready for fall harvest. If your tractor sees only minimal use for parades, tractor rides, etc., I would do an inspection preceding any of those major events. Maybe clean the plugs a bit, check the gap, and put 'em back in.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 3, 2011

I haven't changed the plugs in my Super A for about 4yrs, It puts out the same on the dyno all the time. (25hp)Granted it doesn't get a lot of run time.

Dean Olson · Jul 3, 2011

My SH gets about 40 hours per year. Once year I pull the plugs, wire brush them, re gap and put them back in. They're 3 years old now and still perfect.

rustred · Jul 3, 2011

nothing to do with age. just need regular cleaning and inspection. the electrode should be flat and not rounded and the gap checked. to adjust a spark plug properly you use a spark plug gapping tool and open the gap then use a point file and file the electrode flat , as they wear rounded off. then regap and your good as new again.

GordoSD · Jul 3, 2011

By comparison, a 47 Ford flathead, 59AB engine would go about 25,000 miles, or about 500 hours between plug cleaning/changing

soybeanjoe · Jul 4, 2011

That was pretty much the SOP back in the day when we farmed with gas tractors.In the mid to late '60s we bought a spark plug cleaner that used silica sand & compressed air to clean the plugs & would run a set of plugs for up to a year. Today, I run my "toys" on the same plugs for several years depending upon use.

sflem849 · Jul 4, 2011

I would ASSUME the spark plug technology and quality has increased in the last 30-50 years so the change interval could be increased.

rustred · Jul 4, 2011

i would say engine tech. has changed. with electronic ignition and fuel injection the plugs last much longer due to running much cleaner. nothing now adays to go 100,000 miles and more on a set of plugs, compared to 20,000 years ago. as the old saying goes: they dont build em like they used to, heck no they build em better!

Owen Aaland · Jul 4, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:17:33 07/04/11) I would ASSUME the spark plug technology and quality has increased in the last 30-50 years so the change interval could be increased.

The biggest reason for increased plug life is phasing out of leaded fuels. Without the lead build up on the plugs they last much longer.

The plugs in my Super C have been there since it was overhauled about 10 years ago. In my 2444 they haven't been changed for at least 15 years. It was overhauled in '77 and has had new plugs once since then. The Super C gets about 30 hours a year, the 2444 somewhere between 20 and 40.

Changing spark plugs

Charlie M

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CNKS

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rustyfarmall

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Anonymous-0

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Dean Olson

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rustred

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GordoSD

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soybeanjoe

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sflem849

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rustred

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Owen Aaland

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