Mikee Minute # 6 -- Spark plug heat numbering esoteric facts

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mikenixon
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Mikee Minute # 6 -- Spark plug heat numbering esoteric facts

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Post by mikenixon »

Many wonder why Japanese and American spark plugs are numbered reversed -- the former gives hotter plugs smaller numbers while the latter larget. Why? The deal is a Japanese vs. American idealogy question, i.e. two approaches.  The Japanese see the spark plug from an engineering standpoint, i.e. as the engine's heatsink.  Thus a plug that absorbs less heat and leaves more in the engine has a smaller role, thus a smaller number.  The Ameican companies view the plug as a heat producer, thus a larger number is hotter.  Really.  And heat means nothing to do with spark, only with how much heat the plug maintains in itself, to stay clean, basically.  Any more than is necessary to stay clean at a correct engine tune is excessive.
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