Indexing plugs

[chrisr]

OK, I have several of my fellow racers that index their plugs. It is about half and half on which way they do it. When you index a plug, do you put the spark plug gap pointing down to the piston or up toward the valve springs. I thought I was doing it right but now I am second guessing myself after finding about a 50 50 split among other people.

[Tod74]

I thought you pointed it toward the exhaust valve. :? to direct the flame or something like that...I don't fool with it so long as it don't hit the piston.

[OneBadGMC]

All of mine are indexed with the gap pointing towards the intake valve.

[blowninjected540]

I thought the reason for indexing the plugs was to make sure the gap is facing down so if the piston hits the plug it don't close the gap. (right)

[hammertime]

I thought the reason for indexing the plugs was to make sure the gap is facing down so if the piston hits the plug it don't close the gap. (right)


This is always what I've done and the engine builders (nyes,apd) have done also. Between 10-2

[OneBadGMC]

I thought the reason for indexing the plugs was to make sure the gap is facing down so if the piston hits the plug it don't close the gap. (right)

If the piston hits the plug on a blower motor, you've got bigger issues at hand than worrying about closing up the plug. :shock:

I do it that way only to ensure consistency between cylinders. Honestly, with 23+:1 compression while in boost, I dont think it matters much.

[FullTimeRacing]

has anyone tested this on a dyno?

I just stick'em in .

[OneBadGMC]

has anyone tested this on a dyno?

I just stick'em in .

http://www.eatonbalancing.com/blog/2009/06/12/spark-plug-indexing/

Granted, they're talking about Ford engines, but it's still a decent article.

If you use a plug with a crush washer, you can mark the ground strap or gap side of the plug (depending on which you want to see), and then tighten it, crushing the washer until the mark lines up where you want it.

If you have a taper seat plug, using tapered seat indexing washers will be required.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-71900/?image=large

[ashbros]

What is the correct method?

The old timer that taught me always had me index the plugs and point the gap toward the intake valve. I have done that on N/A & Blower motors.

Is this incorrect amoung the world of engine builders out there?

I am having a hard time swollowing the part about just in cast the piston hits the plug. :?

I by no means am a rocket scientist, but if I have always used clay to check my valve to piston clearance and that also gives me a guide to the distance between the spark plug and piston. Even though math calculations seem to be correct, I have always check my clearances this way. "Just my little bit of self assurance"....

By the way that was an interesting read OneBad.

[RonOwensRacing]

I have to index my plugs because they will hit and index all of them between 10 and 2 o'clock .
I mark the plug with a sharpie straight down the plug from the strap so i can see where it is and add or subtract washers until they all line up.

[ashbros]

I have to index my plugs because they will hit and index all of them between 10 and 2 o'clock .
I mark the plug with a sharpie straight down the plug from the strap so i can see where it is and add or subtract washers until they all line up.

RL,

So what your saying is you position them between 10 & 2 O'Clock.

If I understand that correctly, in your circumstance, it really does not matter if they are pointed to the intake of exhaust valves??
Or is it your just glad to have gotten them into a position that they won't hit because of the hassle of installing & removing washers.

Kinda like a comfort zone......
Just wondering...

[newjack42]

Like Ash i was told by a old timer gap towards intake. didnt relize there was so many oppions on this.

[gungho]

It is for high compression engines you set it 10-2:00 so it is up out of the way of the piston as it comes up.that is why indexing is needed,it is not an option for high comp.

[tireburner]

I agree with rlmotorsports I mark a linr striaght down the plug and put it in with the electro up away from the piston. if I don't the plug will hit the piston. Plus I have to use the NGK racing plug 5962 r6061-10 the electro's are short striaght and tacked to the inside of the plug that gives you even more cleance.

[ashbros]

I also use NGK 9 or 10.

[RonOwensRacing]

I have to index my plugs because they will hit and index all of them between 10 and 2 o'clock .
I mark the plug with a sharpie straight down the plug from the strap so i can see where it is and add or subtract washers until they all line up.

RL,

So what your saying is you position them between 10 & 2 O'Clock.

If I understand that correctly, in your circumstance, it really does not matter if they are pointed to the intake of exhaust valves??
Or is it your just glad to have gotten them into a position that they won't hit because of the hassle of installing & removing washers.

Kinda like a comfort zone......
Just wondering...

Ya I'm not really trying to get them at the valve as much as I'm trying to get the electrode up and away from the piston mine is very close if they are pointed down they will hit i have tried to get them angled toward the valve and i have just took a lot longer and was no advantage for me after replacing the plugs the last few times i just did them at 10 and 2 and it didn't change a thing ran the same and was a lot faster for me to do it that way.

[bjuice]

Ron is right between 10 and 2 (strap up )....no Hp gains..this is a clearance safety issue only...Now that the plugs have cut back Straps its not as cruial to Index as it once was with the long straps on older style Plugs

[FullTimeRacing]

also my je pistons have a indent for extra clearance.

[RonOwensRacing]

I run Aries pistons in this engine and they have a dimple cut in them also but they still hit .
This engine is 16.8.1 so it fills up the chamber a little to much