Does anybody do this?

**Autophysn** · 10-08-2008, 01:47 AM

The conversation at work during a smoke break ended up on performance, like always.

Anyhow, my co-worker use to race go karts and all the engines where certified to a standard. So every little adjustment and quirk made a big difference.

He brought up that he use to "index" the spark plug so that the electrode arm does not interfere with the natural air flow in and out of the combustion chamber.

Point being, he would use washers to make sure that when the plug is tightened, it would be in the position he wanted. Arm of the electrode providing as minimal resistance to the intake and exhaust flow as possible.

Not sure if this helps,
but according to him, it really helps with much easier starting, smoother running and overall economy with a small amount of improvement in the engines responce to throttle.

Just wondering if it would be worth the effort

**greythorn3** · 10-08-2008, 02:31 AM

wow sounds like a real nut job. im sure gains would be minimal if any.

Ray

*3WW Star*-Yamahondaman · 10-08-2008, 10:16 AM

i have done it on many motors .. i used to make .02-.08 thick billet washers.. aim the open part of the electrode towards the exhaust

**SYKO** · 10-08-2008, 10:21 AM

and there you have it... from the master himself... now im off to index the plugs on my truck!

**leokendall** · 10-08-2008, 10:23 AM

raising the plug up a lil bit, wouldn't that lower the compression a lil bit to?

**atc vending guy** · 10-08-2008, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by leokendall

raising the plug up a lil bit, wouldn't that lower the compression a lil bit to?

not if you still had it sealed tight.the depth of the plug doesnt change compression.

**leokendall** · 10-08-2008, 11:22 AM

i didn't think it did but sometime i hears people shaving of a lil tad bit from there cylinder heads to gain a lil more psi. i just thought depending on how much was shaved wouldn't be much diffs,.

**WIkid500** · 10-08-2008, 11:47 AM

Yep heard of it. Another tick it to trim the arm off so you don't have the arm in the way. The spark jumps to the side f the plug instead. Does it work? idk

**brapp** · 10-08-2008, 01:01 PM

well the principal behind it is more torwards burnign the fuel and air more efficantly and consistantly and the .02 inch thick washer is so minimal its more to get the electrode arm in the right position i mean your talkign the thicknes sof a piece of paperor lessdependign how much you wanan tighten it down to get the right position it really helps with alcahol and nitro mixes more than anythign but in some motors in out trikes and quads it does help even if it is only a 1/32 of a hp but you do 32 of those little tweaks thats a fullhorsepower you just picked up.

**topless** · 10-08-2008, 01:07 PM

I remember reading an article about a NASCAR engine builder. They run spec motors and do things that seem like overkill, including honing to fit the lifter bores, match weighing push rods and indexing the spark plugs.

**mustangmachanic** · 10-12-2008, 10:03 AM

yes the are all kind of tricks to squeeze a lil rpm and power out of a motor

**Gag_Halfront** · 10-12-2008, 11:50 PM

I don't think I'd really care to go through the trouble for .1hp. Now if it would keep them from fouling, I'd be all over it.

**Autophysn** · 10-13-2008, 12:58 AM

Appreciate the response
Verified his point. I may try it, only if I am really really bored!

**Erics350x** · 10-13-2008, 01:05 AM

or you could spend $3.00 extra on a splitfire or similar plug

**Autophysn** · 10-13-2008, 01:23 AM

dude, brings up another topic, have you had good results with a more fancy plug?

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Does anybody do this?