spark plug question

H

hotmerc

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i have a 88' carver santego with twin 1996 vortec 4.3's. i changed spark plugs 2 years ago when i replaced manifolds and risers. i took out champion RV12YC plugs and replaced them with NGK crossovers. didn't have a problem with them. i'm going to change them again but my boat mechanic said i should stay with the champion because they have a higher heat range that is demanded on marine engines. now here's my question that he couldn't really answer. champion makes a RV12YC spark plug for trucks and off road vehicles thats heavy duty. it was tested for @350 hrs at 3500 rpm with minimal wear. i quote spark plug 411:

"Champion's Truck Plug was designed specifically for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Features include a black glazed, zirconia-enhanced ceramic insulator, which offers 40% more strength than other spark plugs. This provides durability under rough driving conditions. The massive copper cored center and ground electrodes are 20% larger than ordinary spark plugs. This design allows the plug to thrive in the rough environments of trucks and sport utility vehicles. Tests have shown substantial increase in electrode life over standard designs in truck engines."

it sounds a lot better than the standard RV12YC plug. i'm not having any problems, but i just like heavy duty stuff in my boat that will take a beating. any thoughts?

thanks
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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Re: spark plug question

Alot of people do not like Champion for various resons (failure)....
The NGK's will work just fine on Barnegat Bay, IMHO...:)
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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Re: spark plug question

What do the plugs themselves tell you?....
Nice & tan or?....:confused:​
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: spark plug question

I have repaired a LOT of engine with poor running engines by only replacing the Champion plugs with NGK, Bosch, and AC. Would never recommend using Champion plugs in a marine engine. Lawn mowers OK, not your boat.
 
JustJason

JustJason

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Re: spark plug question

I'll jump in here and semi disagree with don s for a second........

First and foremost... Whenever the customer demand for a boat back isn't an issue.. i always use OEM plugs... whatever it may be, AC's Champs... etc. Even if i have to wait for them. OEM is always the way to go if they are readily available. I look at it this way... 100 engineers at mercruiser are certainly more educated at the engine at hand than myself or any other mechanic out there. So use what they say to use.
If customer demand is an issue... and i have to compromise.... I'll forgo OEM for NGK first, and denso second. (no experience with bosch plugs here) I personally will not use champs or autolite or anything else. I have gotten bit and won't do it again.

However... and there is always a however.... When Champs are specified as OEM... i'll use only champs. This is more of an outboard thing, with their somewhat sometimes funky ignition systems in which the EMF generated by the plug will screw with things... However... this never happens with sterndrives/inboards.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: spark plug question

Ayuh,....

Why not just use the MR43T, AC Delcos that are called for in your motor....
Or,..
If by chance you have the True Vortec, Fastburn heads which call for the MR43TS....

To tell Which you need,... Look at the intake manifold,...
Are there 8 bolts holding it on,... That would be the Fastburn heads...
If there's 12 bolts,... You need the MR43T plugs....
 
H

hotmerc

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Re: spark plug question

now you guys really confused me! but i might have to lean towards bond-o's remedy. it does say on the flame arrestor housing that it came with ac plugs from the factory, don't recall which one but the part number is there. thanks everyone...
 
AZSenza

AZSenza

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Re: spark plug question

I have to disagree a little with OEM=Best. From a purchasing vs engineering standpoint, there can be and I'm SURE are contracts and costs involved to place certain parts on your boat. If there werent, it would last forever, ererything would be stainless steel, full roller valvetrain, gear drives, fuel injection for everyone and duo props to boot. OEM is not always better but DO FOLLOW there temp range recomendations, that much doesn't cost them anything and is 99.9% correct (I live in sunny HOT Arizona, sometimes you have to go a number or 2 lower than the lowest recomended heat range to prevent detonation)
 
Mkos1980

Mkos1980

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Re: spark plug question

I thought the Vortec heads took the MR43LTS's ? TS Was just a projected nose while the LTS was extended reach I thought.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: spark plug question

Mkos1980 said:
I thought the Vortec heads took the MR43LTS's ? TS Was just a projected nose while the LTS was extended reach I thought.
Click to expand...

MR43LTS is the correct number. There is no MR43TS
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: spark plug question

Ayuh,....

What gets even More confusing is that Chevy was using the name Vortec, for a few years Before they came out with the Fastburn heads, which We now call Vortec Heads......
And,...
According to my sources,.. AC Delco dropped the extended tip plugs, so you have the standard Chevy plug, MR43T,+ the Long 1s for the Fastburn heads, MR43LTS....
 
Mkos1980

Mkos1980

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Re: spark plug question

Correct, GM dropped the projected nose for the Marine line up, but they still make the R43TS or CR43TS. I accually picked up a set of the CR43TS to replace my MR43T per the Dennis moore book. Trey them out a little.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: spark plug question

Ayuh,.... What's the C stand for,..?? What's Different about it,..??
 
C

Coors

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Re: spark plug question

I know, in my automotive experience; Champions are no good in a Ford or a Mopar, either.
I do think Don is right- my lawn mower has one.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: spark plug question

Ayuh,...... The Prefix-C says it's Commercial,......

I guess I'll have to go wander around that link,+ see if I can find a Picture or something,......

Sure am glad we can do direct links again :D
Click to expand...

Ayuh,..... I kinda missed that memo,.......

I just Try to respect our Host,+ link accordingly........;)
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: spark plug question

Ayuh,..... I kinda missed that memo,.......
Click to expand...

It's a sticky at the top of this forum. JB posted it.
 
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