|
CSOB Spark Plugs:
Are you still spending over $20 each for spark plugs for your
Continental 470/520 Engine? Did you know that a Military Surplus spark plug is STC'd for these Continental Engines at something less than half the cost of
Champion or Unison options? It is the
BG-341
Spark Plug!
See the BG-341 STC Numbers below and
HERE
Apparently, there are
thousands of these Brand New Sealed in plastic spark plugs still in circulation.
Here is a pirep watch out from Stan S.
regarding the use of BG341's in the IO470C, -J and -K Engines. Note that these
engines are not listed on the STC paperwork either!
Note those BG 341 spark plugs that are the equivalent of the Champion RHB32E
are not appropriate for the 225 horsepower versions of the IO-470 (the IO-470-J
and IO-470-K) because they are a colder plug designed for a higher compression
engine. Those 225 horsepower engines require a plug with the number 40 in heat
range, a warmer plug. The 32 heat range is too cold for a low compression engine
and will foul regularly if used in a low compression engine.
Worst Case is that you pay about $9 for this plug at
Aircraft
Spruce their PN: 08-03699. Best case is you find them on
EBay for sometimes
as low as $1-$2 each (more likely $5-$7) in case lots of 30-50. I've been using
these plugs in my IO470Ls for over 600 hours with no issues and have a stash of
50 in my hangar. Clean 'em or throw them out at annual if you don't like the
looks of them.
Here is a spark plug rotation method from "Old
Bob", he calls it "Spark Plug Swapping for Dummies"!
"Old Bob"
"Easier yet is the "Swapping for Dummies" method that I use.
I have a twelve hole Champion Spark Plug Caddy. It is marked
one through six for the cylinders. With the numbers right side up, I place the
plugs in the caddy as they are removed. Top plugs above the numbers and bottom
plugs below the numbers. After they are all cleaned and being careful to make
sure each goes back in it's proper spot, I rotate the caddy one hundred and
eighty degrees.
I then rename the holes as one through six with what was
number one now becoming number six. What were the top plugs will now all be on
the bottom.
If they are placed back in the engine with the top left being
top number one and so on you will find that all of them will have been switched
in just the manner Champion recommends."
Click
HERE for
a bulletin from TCM on spark plug rotation and spark plug application guide for
their engines.
Contact me
if you'd like to buy some BG-341 Plugs. I'll make
you a great CSOB deal on some of my stock. I have a bunch of very serviceable
ones that I will sell for $3/each plus shipping and if my NOS stock is high I
might let go some of the new ones for $7 each plus shipping. Support
CSOBeech.com with your purchase!
Here are representative pics of the new ones (the
bulk lot that I got my hands on had the packages cut open but they appear brand
new). You decide!
Still thinking about fine wire
plugs? I'm told they last a much longer time than the massives, but in my CSOB
opinion may not be worth the acquisition costs unless you fly +FL200.
More
Fine Wire info Here
|
Low Cost Spark Plugs for IO-470/520