M14 & Auto Spark Plugs
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 2:01 pm
For the past month + I've been running an auto spark plug conversion kit
(auto plugs + high-performance racing ignition cables) that Dennis
Savarese advertises at http://www.yak-52.com (click on the "Plug
Conversion" link).
Starting: My engine starts like a dream with this kit! I know there
are tons of folks out there who will say they have no problem starting
their M-14's with the standard wiring harness and
Russian/Chinese/Champion [REL37B] plugs. However, I'm not one of them.
I'll bet I had to hand-prop, or find spare air, every two or three times
out of ten starts. Whether I was priming it wrong, or doing something
else wrong, in maybe 200 starts I was a klutz. Now, it starts like a
total dream! I'll bet I regularly use less than 50psi and never see
more than 2 blades go by before the engine fires right up. Fantastic!
Performance: Thus far I'm seeing EGT's at least 50 degrees C cooler and
CHT's at least 20 degrees C cooler. I'll post some specific comparisons
later in the fall / winter after I get more time with this set up.
Some folks have expressed concern that there might potentially be
moisture problems with this set-up. The reason for their concern is
that the ignition harness attaches to the spark plug terminal just like
on an auto--the boot snaps on. Maybe I'll pass through a short rain or
snow shower someday and have more specific first-hand feedback on this.
I can say that I don't plan on flying hard-IFR in my Moose anyway. That
being said, I've driven through some incredible rain bucket storms in
cars over the years and never had an ignition problem (I can hear
everyone screaming "It's not the same thing").
Long story: I did have one high-performance ignition wire and auto plug
on front cyl # 6 on the return flight from Alaska this summer. One day
I went through some serious rain for perhaps 45 min. I did not detect
any skipping whatsoever from that one cylinder.
At any rate, thus far, I think the kit that Dennis sells is better than
sliced bread.
Ted Waltman
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(auto plugs + high-performance racing ignition cables) that Dennis
Savarese advertises at http://www.yak-52.com (click on the "Plug
Conversion" link).
Starting: My engine starts like a dream with this kit! I know there
are tons of folks out there who will say they have no problem starting
their M-14's with the standard wiring harness and
Russian/Chinese/Champion [REL37B] plugs. However, I'm not one of them.
I'll bet I had to hand-prop, or find spare air, every two or three times
out of ten starts. Whether I was priming it wrong, or doing something
else wrong, in maybe 200 starts I was a klutz. Now, it starts like a
total dream! I'll bet I regularly use less than 50psi and never see
more than 2 blades go by before the engine fires right up. Fantastic!
Performance: Thus far I'm seeing EGT's at least 50 degrees C cooler and
CHT's at least 20 degrees C cooler. I'll post some specific comparisons
later in the fall / winter after I get more time with this set up.
Some folks have expressed concern that there might potentially be
moisture problems with this set-up. The reason for their concern is
that the ignition harness attaches to the spark plug terminal just like
on an auto--the boot snaps on. Maybe I'll pass through a short rain or
snow shower someday and have more specific first-hand feedback on this.
I can say that I don't plan on flying hard-IFR in my Moose anyway. That
being said, I've driven through some incredible rain bucket storms in
cars over the years and never had an ignition problem (I can hear
everyone screaming "It's not the same thing").
Long story: I did have one high-performance ignition wire and auto plug
on front cyl # 6 on the return flight from Alaska this summer. One day
I went through some serious rain for perhaps 45 min. I did not detect
any skipping whatsoever from that one cylinder.
At any rate, thus far, I think the kit that Dennis sells is better than
sliced bread.
Ted Waltman
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username "rebel" password "builder"
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