Re: [T3] plug reading (was engine/carb questions)

[David Y <goob@adelphia.net>]

<x-flowed>At 08:37 PM 9/13/2005, you wrote:
> The insulators look pretty white, so I'd say you were on the lean side, but I
> think it's pretty hard to tell after such a short drive. One other thing I
> notice is that the insulator seems pretty far down inside the body of the SP.
> If it's that far down, and still white, it is either still its new color, or
> it's running very hot.
>
> What plug (brand and #) are you using?

Well, I would say all of the above...it has definitely been running hot 
(for around half of the perhaps 20-30 miles I have put on it so far doing 
test drives) but the plugs are also brand new W8ACs. The test drive with 
the 170 mains was about 6 miles total, and engine temp on the vdo gauge 
(not calibrated yet, but as a point of reference) got up to 230-240F. This 
is when I pulled the #2 plug and took the photos. Does that help explain 
anything about the color?


> Have you made SURE that your thermostat and linkage are installed right 
> and are
> working?

I'm a bit embarrassed to say my square hasn't had the thermostat for at 
least 15 years... a mechanic somewhere along the way (before I started 
working on it) deemed it as unnecessary and a liability for California 
cars, and ditched it (removing the flaps I believe). I'll check with my 
engine builder to confirm that the flaps are not present (eliminating the 
possibility that this is causing the overheating, correct?). I have in the 
past few years learned that the system adds to engine life by enabling the 
engine to heat evenly/properly (Berg goes off on this), but I didn't think 
of adding it to this new engine.

Thanks again!

Dave Y.
68sqbk


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