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Are plug cuts valid with unleaded?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rapid
  • Start date Start date Mar 8, 2006
R

Rapid

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
297
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0
Columbia, SC
Mar 8, 2006
#1
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #1
I have read that using a plug cut to estimate mixture does not work with unleaded. Any valididity to that? If so, what else can one do short of an 02 sensor and guage? I am working on my jetting and want to make sure I am not too lean.

Thanks,
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
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south louisiana
Mar 8, 2006
#2
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #2
Never heard of "plug cuts" but you can still read the plugs even with unleaded.
 

302 coupe

Founding Member
Mar 2, 2000
1,952
3
36
Macon, Ga.
Mar 8, 2006
#3
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #3
jet it down until you get a lean surge at cruise, then jet it back up 3 or 4 sizes, for a holley at least.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
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204
tucson,az
Mar 8, 2006
#4
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #4
what the heck are plug cuts? reading plugs is standard practise regardless of fuel choice. gasoline, leaded or unleaded reads differently than alcohol or alcohol/nitro, or propane, but all fuels leave a deposit on the plug when burned.
 
G

gjz30075

Member
Aug 30, 2004
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Roswell, Ga
Mar 8, 2006
#5
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #5
If I understand correctly, a plug cut is driving along at a certain rpm, then shutting the motor off without taking your foot off the gas and coasting to a stop to pull and read plugs. What you see is what the mixture is at that rpm. Still valid with unlead fuel. Rich is rich and lean is lean. Short of putting in a wide band O2 sensor, this is a valid method; a bit better than driving the car to a stop, then pulling and reading, which is reading a mixture at idle.
 

thehueypilot

Active Member
Feb 25, 2004
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Medina,Tennessee
Mar 8, 2006
#6
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #6
I know you can read the heat ring location on the ground electrode to show rich or lean conditions. Insulator color is very deceptive.
 
R

Rapid

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
297
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Columbia, SC
Mar 8, 2006
#7
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #7
thehueypilot said:
I know you can read the heat ring location on the ground electrode to show rich or lean conditions. Insulator color is very deceptive.
Click to expand...

I am not familiar with this method. Would you explain it?
 

thehueypilot

Active Member
Feb 25, 2004
1,084
0
37
Medina,Tennessee
Mar 8, 2006
#8
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #8
Try this link:
http://www.dragstuff.com/techarticles/reading-spark-plugs.html
 
1

10secgoal

Active Member
Dec 1, 2003
2,801
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49
San Diego
Mar 8, 2006
#9
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #9
Hueys right. It can be real deceptive especially with an after market box.
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
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39
Middle TN
Mar 8, 2006
#10
  • Mar 8, 2006
  • #10
Different fuels leave different colors as well. Ever run turbo blue. It looks almost white on the plug!
 
R

Rapid

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
297
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0
Columbia, SC
Mar 9, 2006
#11
  • Mar 9, 2006
  • #11
thehueypilot said:
Try this link:
http://www.dragstuff.com/techarticles/reading-spark-plugs.html
Click to expand...


Thanks! That gives a pretty clear picture.
 
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