Innovative way to set up and add more gauges to the old girl, looks great. Keep the pics and info coming! :beerchug:

Unless that engine has platinum plugs in it from the factory, don't put those in. Switching from a resistor plug to a platinum is a bad idea. Ignition system doesn't put out enough voltage to push the platinum. We fix that mistake all the time.

NGK-R 3440. They are a resistor plug.

You pic is fuzzy, but I see platinum on the box......

What's wrong with the champions? Waste of $$ IMHO.

They say platinum on them but it's mostly just a marketing thing. The Champion 3071 say platinum as well but they both only refer to the tip. Both still have a copper core.

Not a big fan of Champions. Prone to fouling and the insulators on them tend to be poor quality. Plug to plug quality has a wide variation which reflects in the price. I've never had a problem an NGK.

I've never had a problem with Champions. Run them in all mine. And in all old equipment that comes through the shop. Thought I'd give Autolites a try again this year. Now all the machines I put them in have a cold start mis-fire. Champions didn't do that. NGK is a good plug, but I only use them in foreign cars and Honda engines. Your machine, your choice. :beerchug:

Sounds like the Autolites heat range was too low. Maybe the cross reference was wrong? I know spark plug selection/preference can turn into a massive debate, so to each there own. I appreciate the conversation though! :beerchug:

Just curious, why do you only use NGK on foreign/Honda?

I agree about the spark plug debate, I should have left it alone. Usually starts a barrage of comments. I agree, to each their own. :beerchug:

I use NGK's in foreign cars and Honda engines because that's what they came out with from the factory. Seen and dealt with way too many issues with non-stock spark plugs. We install only what the manufacturer suggests. If it came out with Autolite (Ford), Champion (Chrysler) AC Delco (GM) and so on, that's what it gets. We only change ranges if necessary, and all small engines and old equipment (tractors, stationary engines) get Champion.

Yes, I know the heat range is most likely the cause of my issue. Fact remains it was the direct cross over (from the book). Maybe the book is wrong, maybe Autolite can't make a plug (which is my opinion). AFAIC, no issue when I run Champs, so they are going back in.

I'm glad people actually listen to us! That being said, sometimes what is spec'd is not always best, just the cheapest and what falls in the 'tolerance' range.

What do you mean "us"? You an engineer for one of the "big 3"?

I agree about the cheapest part. But while on that subject; I also know that in a bid situation like the auto makers do with parts installed in their machines, they bidding company "cheapens" them up to make profit on their end. Tires, batteries, to spark plugs and air filters. If you go buy an AC Delco plug with the same numbers as the ones you took out of the OEM engine, it's a better plug. Seen this many times with tires. New set of Firestones on a vehicle lasting 40K miles, replace with the same tire from a tire shop, and get 60K out of the same tire. This kind of "cheapening" happens all the time. Wal-Mart is another good example of this kind of "bidding".