Question: Spark Plugs

petey305

Cadet
Joined
May 7, 2002
Messages
12
Hi Everyone,<br /><br />I starting the rebuild of my 1960 Evinrude Lightwin 3hp. <br /><br />I noticed something strange about the spark plugs. The plug for the first (top) cylinder has a thicker threaded portion then the second (lower) cylinder. I looked through the manual and it said nothing. As this is my first Outboard rebuild...I am puzzled since the spark plugs are both Champion Spark plugs with the same number (J4J I belive?)<br /><br />Is this normal...do they sell them in pairs or something. If it is normal...why would they do this?<br /><br />Thank,<br /><br />Petey
 

grandx

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
383
Re: Question: Spark Plugs

Are you saying that the top and bottom plugs are not interchangeable on your engine? Both plugs have the same model #? Never heard of anything like this. Possibly the largeer hole was stripped at one time and an oversized hole was threaded to accept an insert/helicoil, can you tell if the larger one indeed has an insert around the original plug?
 

petey305

Cadet
Joined
May 7, 2002
Messages
12
Re: Question: Spark Plugs

Right...the top and the bottom are not interchangeable. I don't believe there was any insert or anything around the plug...but I will check later tonight.<br /><br />I am as confused as anyone.<br /><br />JP
 

wilde1j

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
5,964
Re: Question: Spark Plugs

Top cylinder probably had a Helicoil installed improperly. Champion doesn't make different J4J's. The Helicoil came out with the plug.
 

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: Question: Spark Plugs

Years back there was a thread repair kit called a Keen-sert (sp). It was a threaded tube with a flanged end by the plug gasket, that needed a lot bigger hole than the diamond shaped Heli-Coil threads. It was not recommended by OMC at that time since it could come out of the aluminum head.<br /><br />To get by, see if you can remove it from the plug and install it on a new plug. The best bet, though, is to find a good used head.
 
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