2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

ngk or spitfire

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2008 | 08:35 AM
  #21  
HankL's Avatar
HankL
Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,313
Likes: 8
Default

The primary thing about how a sparkplug affects engine operation is

"Does it improve combustion speed" ?

A sparkplug can improve combustion speed simply by having a longer spark,
or having more than one spark if dual sparkplugs are used in a cylinder.
Twice as long a spark length increases combustion speed by more than twice.

The second way a sparkplug can improve combustion speed is by somehow locating the spark closer to the spot where combustion speed will naturally be faster. The best spots are generally in the center of the chamber, or slightly nearer the hot exhaust valve. Magnum 3.9/5.2/5.9 engines 'bias' the sparkplug over toward the hot exhaust valve. Hemi 5.7/6.1 place two sparkplugs in the center.

There has been a clear trend
to use 'extended nose' sparkplugs on Chrysler engines
because they reach farther into the chamber nearer the center.

If one cylinder is pinging
the better solution is to have a PCM computer that can pull back ignition timing to that cylinder, or richen the fuel injector pulses to that cylinder.
But if you can't do this with the PCM computer,
your 2nd choice is to use a short nose sparkplug like the Autolite 3923,
and if that does not completely succeed,
shorten the gap on the Autolite 3923.

In the worse case
you can use a 'fires in oil' extension sleeve on a sparkplug in a cylinder
to stop pinging. These metal sleeve extensions really slow down combustion in that particular cylinder.
This can be useful to identify and diagnose a cylinder that is pinging, and is a better alternative than pulling the ignition wire off that cylinder (can fry the PCM thyristor) or pulling the wire off the fuel injector (same) or plugging in a 'Noid Light' in that cylinder instead of the fuel injector (slightly better but causes the O2 sensor to richen the other 7 cylinders)

It should not be forgotten that most pinging in Magnum engines is caused by carbon deposits.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:44 AM.