The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Sparkplugs? (1954 Chevy 235)

Is there a certain size of sparkplugs that I should have for my truck's engine(1954 235) or?

AC Delco R43

Autolite 303

Thread Size: 14mm
Hex Size: 13/16"
Reach Length: 3/8"
Seat Type: Metal Gasket

Gap: .035"

I have the wrong spark plugs in it right now, and the sparkplugs before weren't even right. They were AC, but they were C44.

I have Autolite in it, but they're 25.

Champion J8C

Wait a minute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the back of the package, it says that the plugs replace: ACDelco R43TS, CR43TS, and R44TS, 2. Not sure what the "2" means, but since it replaces ACDelco R43TS, won't they work?

R43TS?? Those won't work. The "TS" in the number means "taper seat". Thsoe plugs are for the '69 and later heads that use the tapered spark plug seat, intead of the gasket style plugs used on the older engines. What you'll want is the R43 gasket seat style. The taper seat style will not seal properly in the head, and will cause a compression leak.

Oh.

you crack me up

What's that mean?

JDL: Ken1960 is just poking fun at you for asking us old buzzards all these questions that to most would seem so simple. You will find out as you go along who your friends are and who you can believe and count on. Like the PO who told you this and that about the truck. Over the years some folks use what they have or what will work and to THEM they are telling you the truth as far as they know it. Over time you learn to even question the answers sometime. I don't think anyone here will intentionally steer you wrong on the Bolt. We are here to HELP but what works for one may not work for another. Manytimes there are also many answers to a question.

You just keep asking the simply questions and learn from the tribal elders the same as all of us had to do. I think its funny how much we older folks take for granted what we think everyone else should know!
One day YOU will be passing out info and helping someone.....AND I'm sure you will ask a lot of questions that I will even watch for the answer!
So, take your project serious but don't take the fun out of it. Bssides, I feel like you can dish it out but also take it.....now ask someone what THAT means...hehehe.

I think I know what THAT means...hehehe.

No I was'nt making fun of you. I was just reading the thread and you answer " Oh" was so matter of fact it made me laugh. No offense . Ken

AC plugs have heat ranges that go up as the number increases. A 44 is hotter than a 43, and a 45 is hotter than a 44. 43's are supposedly for highway driving, 44's are multi-purpose, and 45's are for short-trip or other limited duty use. The "C" prefix was for a "commercial" plug, used for delivery trucks, taxicabs, and other fleet-type vehicles. They have larger center electrodes, and heavier ground tabs, and they last forever, even under severe conditions. If your C44's are clean and properly gapped, they're the best possible plug for your engine. They're also almost impossible to find these days. We used to use them in the round track race cars, and they would outlast regular plugs about 3 to 1. Hang onto them!
Jerry

From what I was told, AC has discontinued all heat ranges for the 235 exept for the R43. They've been realy cutting back on part #s all across the board at AC-Delco, been hearing that even spark plugs on later vehicles, too.

I was wondering about using new style platinum plugs etc.in my 235 54 pickup are there such beasts.... any thoughts on this Thanks... Peter

Hey jdl how did you become a Shop shark so fast I'm still a wrench fetcher..Peter

I have a 55 and use the ac r43. There is a site you can go to online and view the shop manual for your truck. I use this site all the time. I did finaly buy a shop manual but still use the site for other items. Good luck

http://chevy.tocmp.com/shop/1954truck/index.html

Platinum plugs in a stovebolt would serve no purpose whatsoever. In a computer controlled engine running on the ragged edge of too lean all the time, and needing 50,000 volts to get the mixture burning, maybe, but it would be a total waste of money in an old engine!

There will be an equivalent Champion or Motorcraft plug to AC 44 and 45 heat ranges, if they're not available from whatever name GM is calling Delco these days!
Jerry

Thanks Jerry....

Petmil, I get on here every day after school.

NGK makes an Iridium plug for the 235, don't recall the number. Seems that Iridium is fast replacing Platinum as the hi performance spark plug. BTW, I will agre, for a stock 235, stick with stock type plugs, either R43s or J8C Champions.