Copper core spark plugs: newer technology than you think

[ggzilla]

We tend to think of copper spark plugs as the cheapest kind, but I always got great service out of them. Sure, they need to be re-gapped every 50,000 miles or so. But they work good and last up to 150,000 miles if they engine is kept in good condition

 

I recently watched a video about Chrysler Technical Service Bulletin 08-09-82, where it said they started putting a "new copper core spark plug" on the assembly line. 

That got me thinking, is copper core plug technology a newer than the Datsun 510? The answer is yes. Holley says they developed the copper core and introduced it to the market as the new high-tech spark plug for racing

 

Quote

In the early 1970s, the spark plug market was dominated by three brands: Champion, Autolite and ACDelco. They had one component in common: The center electrode was made from cast-iron alloy. But the new Holley spark plugs featured a copper alloy center electrode. 

 

Holley History: Holley Develops the Copper Core Spark Plug

 

 

 

And of course today, copper core is still being used by all manufacturers. The newer platinum and iridium plugs last longer (read: without needing re-gapping) but the copper core still delivers great performance.

 

The kicker? Holley says:

Quote

Holley worked with Hitachi to bring to the market a spark plug that was vastly different. Engineers at both companies spent considerable time developing the new plugs ...

So once again, the Nissan-keiretsu company Hitachi saved the day for millions of engines. Short-trip fouling largely became a thing of the past with the wholesale adoption of copper core plugs in the 1980s. Eventually platinum would take over to meet the federal goal of 100,000 miles of the emissions system working as designed. With copper it would need two or three tune-ups to meet that goal. With high-energy ignition, EFI and double-platinum plugs, engines could go 100,000 miles without a tune-up. Hitachi high-energy ignition system were used on every USA Datsun from 1979. 

 

日立 Hitachi

日産 Nissan

Nissan Japan logo

[banzai510(hainz)]

Icehouse told me when he had the SR20Turbo he got more HP doing dyno runs from the old style copper plugs.

 

for the avergae Datsun owner copper is fine. and it EZ to get to swap out. Now if hard to reach I would grab the longer lasting one

 

Im sure im still running 10yr old plugs in my Datsuns

Edited October 21 by banzai510(hainz)

[banzai510(hainz)]

After bragging I was running old plugs .My 521 acted like my 2 stroke Yamaha RD350 fouling a plug. I said shit maybe a valve getting tight. then saw a plug with lots a caked on carbon on ground strap. so a order a double set of Denso 3057s   then later I found some NGK thailand in a stash(stock number 4922). Seems like the lower end plugs that arent sold much anymore are from Thailand now so Im going to stick with Denso since my Toyota has them.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/297567216437

 

and get this for the L series is you can find cheaper NGK wire sets. they have gone up I remember but good price get 2 sets.

 

UPDATE NOV 2 these are now made in CHINA  and I only received 4 out of 8 so I delelcted the ebay link

 

 

Edited November 2 by banzai510(hainz)

[ggzilla]

Nice plug wires. What I like about them:

 

* good 7mm silicone wires will handle high-energy electronic ignition like the matchbox distributor

 

* (hopefully) correct lengths for L16/L18/L20B, although some complain they are too short for the factory routing clips

 

* wires are numbered 1,2,3,4

 

$27 with free shipping. Beats the Autozone price of $44 for the same NGK 8106

 

 

 

[datzenmike]

I pulled a set off an L28 and ran the longest around the front of the valve cover, rather than over it. If you pull them once a year and wipe them down with WD-40 to clean and remove any oil and dirt they will look good, be good and last pretty much forever. 

[ggzilla]

hehe, I used to go to pull-a-part and find a set with the correct ends that looked good. Although ... having the correct length wires does look good, but that was $20-$30 a set new compared to $5 at the wreckers for near-new wires. I didn't care if they came from a Toyota or a Ford, as long as they fit, they all made of the same stuff. I got the best set I could find.

 

Yes, they last forever unless they get soaked in oil or get burn marks on them from mis-fires. Same with cap and rotor

[datzenmike]

To keep the distributor cap like new I got one Nitrile glove and poked pin through the tips. Take the nipples off the wires and poke through the stretchy hole and put nipple back on and plug into cap. Roll the glove down over the cap and distributor. Keeps water and crap off the cap and distributor.

[banzai510(hainz)]

NE64 set is made in japan. I love them . I got a NGK set for my 6cyl cherokee. That set has usa on wires but ends crimped finnished in mexico. They are a nice set. Fuck those ACCELL build as you go sets. Ends always pull off.

[ggzilla]

Yea cut-and-crimp plug wire sets always have the ends pull off

[banzai510(hainz)]

UPdate I got the Denso 3057 and made in China. Ones in my  truck were Japan I guess I really havent bought plugs in suck a long time that they moved production to China.

 

I swear the ones I got for my toyota 22RE were japan. Maybe the lower volume ones all outsourced kinda like 13in series tires . All Korea Taiwan Thailand China.

[ggzilla]

All the best stuff is made in China, like iPhones, new Toyotas, and Thinkpad laptops

[banzai510(hainz)]

I found JAPAN  NOS Nippondenso W20ES-U on ebay.

 

Im sure the Chinese vertsion is fine in a stinky Carbed L motor

 

I just try no to give the Communist more money to build up their military 

Edited Monday at 07:12 PM by banzai510(hainz)

[Stinky]

I wasn't aware that it was worthwhile to regap a Copper plug.

 

That is a lot of effort for $8....$16 on a Z24.

 

I've heard, that Copper runs better and resists oil-fouling better.  The other plugs do last longer though

[datzenmike]

They are cheaper and wear out faster, maybe 20K miles. Conduct heat better but I doubt they run cleaner. All plugs self clean themselves if they are the correct temperature range, engine is in tune and driven long enough.