A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

[BonairII]

I'm currently using A/C Delco R43S plugs on my '67 Johnson 80hp motor. I couldn't find Champion J4J or J4Cs locally. NAPA says that the A/C Delcos were the same as the Champions, but I'm having doubts.
I read a thread where it was stated the plugs with the letter "R" in them meant resistor and that wasn't good.

My service manual recommends Champion J4J, AC-M42K, or Autolite A21X. If I can't find these locally...can anyone recommend a somewhat common plug that is equal to the Champion plugs?

I'll eventually order the Champions online, but I've got a few days of good weather this week to get out on the water and I need plugs today.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

Have you tried a lawnmower repair shop? Champs are the ones to use.

 

[boobie]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

Plugs are cheap, power heads aren't. I'd use the factory recommended plugs.

 

[JB]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

JohnnyRudes love Champions. Use J4C (formerly J4J) gapped at .030".

Good luck.

 

[BonairII]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

I called my local NAPA store again, and finally got a knowledgeable person on the phone . He found out that the larger NAPA warehouse store had them(20 min away). I took a drive out to the warehouse and picked them up.

I've been using the A/C Delcos for the last month...I'm curious to see if I notice any difference in performance with the Champions.

 

[BonairII]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

Update: Ran the boat today. Motor seemed to idle a bit smoother. Not sure if the Champions are responsibile or for the better idle or not.
Motor runs smooth even at 2mph...I could actually troll with it if I wanted to.

After about 45 mins of fishing, I had a hell of a time starting the motor though. Not sure if it was a fuel problem or spark issue. Is "hard starting" after the motor's been sitting awhile a sign of some part going bad?

 

[boobie]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

Check your spark with a spark tester when the prob happens.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

My 1966 OMC Manual lists Champion J4J, AC M42K and Auto-Lite A21X for the 3, 6, 9.5, 18, 33, 40, 60, 75 & 90 hp motors. The parts list for the 1967 80hp lists the same plugs.

 

[BonairII]

Re: A/C Delco spark plugs okay for Johnson 80hp ?

Check your spark with a spark tester when the prob happens.

That's a pain-in-the-arse to try to do when your bobbing in choppy waters. Are you suspecting a bad coil?