H is running again

I sure was in hope that you didn't tear into the tractor too deeply before trying the simple solution even if it did seem an unlikely cause.

Interesting thing about plugs -- I installed two new ones in my new tractor for engine run-up after overhaul. The engine started fine and run-up did okay, but the oil pressure needed to be adjusted downward. After shutting down & adjusting the oil pump, the engine would not fire on No. 1 side. Changing out the plug cured the anomoly and the old plug had no tell-tale sign of failure. Bad plugs -- it does happen!

Once again, thank you so very much for the report. Happy tractoring! Now -- enjoy the beast. (PatB)

John T

Frank

I thought of you when I typed that about those old plugs. I would not hold out much hope, but if I do find any, I will sure let you know. As I recall, and that was some time back, they were in the standard steel shell and the ware looked standard, but instead of a Motocraft or Autolite logo, they were stamped with just a number like "ENG 50-334", which probably referred back to a book of tests that would reeference a print that would detail the plug. The lab had their own kilns and Dennison presses, even a small National cold header, so that they could manufacture a plug complete. They even tried the platinum tip in these large plugs to inhibit fouling, though it either did not pan out, or it wasn't cost effective and would have pushed the price too high. I remember that this was the time frame when the "Splitfire" plug was under develo[ment, and Fostoria made those as well. With old Henry as my neighbor, I never was at a loss for spark plugs. The electrode was actually split on a wire EDM then spread, then welded onto the shell.

The 8 or so lines at Fostoria could produce a whale of a lot of plugs in a day. Running three shifts, I think the output was in excess of 300,000 units, counting oxygen senors and other things.

Frank

I guess its a combination of todays gas,,,,, ,,the plugs insulation isnt as smooth allowing carbon to stick to it,,,,, ,,,,,the low operatign temperatures,,,,, ,,,,the idle n no load operation and I dont really see much of a cure unless we load them down as you mentioned.

I enjoyed your dissertation about all your tractors, youre gettin windy as us lawyers lol

John T

The interesting thing about the ceramic, or as they call it in the factory, "ware", as in earthenware, that Autolite uses. Most of the clay comes from a quarry near Carey, Ohio and it has since the Autlite plant there was opened in the early 20's. If there is any difference in the quality of that ceramic today, it has to be in the binder. I watched many, many thousands of those ceramics come out of their furnaces on the various plant tours I had there. My neighbor retired from there, and he was forever taking me over on tours and through the labs. I also knew many of the engineers through the community. I have heard from my son's F-I-L who also retired from that plant that it is used mostly today to build specialty plugs, which proably includes these small batch plugs.

They used to make knife sharpeners shaped like a sparkplug insulator, but the lower ceramic was not glazed so while it was fired and hard, it was semi-rough. Made for a great knife hone!

Frank

Frank