[SOLVED] Spark plug socket size

[morbias]

Does anyone know what size socket I need for the standard NGK spark plugs?

 

[SaintZed]

14mm fits my NGK plugs.

 

[morbias]

thanks

 

[Mr.F]

14mm fits my NGK plugs

I would suggest 16mm fits the hex head on the smaller NGK "C" series plugs (300ZX and onwards) and standard plugs (e.g. BPR6ES in 240Z/260Z with points) need 21mm as measured across the flats.

14mm is the thread size.

 

[SaintZed]

You're absolutely right Mike, as always

My NGK plugs (BPR6ES-11) for 240Z running electronic ignition measure 21mm across the flates, funny thing is that the socket that fits them states 14mm

Sorry for any confusion Morbias

 

[morbias]

No worries, thanks for the replies

 

[morbias]

Right, so I got both the sockets I ordered and it turns out the 14mm one is indeed actually 21mm, so now I have two.

But...

It turns out my plugs are the smaller type, BCPR6ES, so now I need a 16mm socket (I probably should have had a look first!). Are there any big disadvantages using these plugs in a 260Z with a points dizzy?

Does anyone know the difference in gap size between BCPR6ES and BPR6ES?

 

[Mr.F]

BPR6ES and BCPR6ES are both 0.9mm gap. The wider gap version of each has a suffix of -11, i.e. 1.1 mm.

The advantage of the "C" series is for ease of access in deep-seated plug, e.g. VG30 engines.

 

[morbias]

Great, thanks for the info Mike. One less thing I have to replace

 

[morbias]

Then again...

It turns out the plugs are the 1.1mm gap version, so I re-gapped them to 0.9mm until I get some new ones with the right gap.

Also, is there any way to turn the engine other than by the crankshaft or camshaft? Basically I adjusted the valve lash today by turning the engine using the camshaft, which involved moving the fuel rail out of the way. I put it all back together then remembered I hadn't set my points yet (why is there no facepalm smiley?).

I haven't got a stupendously long breaker bar that will reach the crankshaft nut, or a socket big enough. Does this mean I have to take the valve cover and fuel rail off again?

 

[tel240z]

I try and avoid using spark plugs with an R in them as this means resistor good for radio supression but why spend money on electronic ignition systems and quality leads just to put a resistor in line
to turn the engine over 5th gear and rock forward beware though as it could start if ignition on
not a good idea to turn the engine over on the camshaft sprocket

 

[morbias]

Yeah I only used the cam sprocket because I can't see any possible way to get to the crank. I can't roll the car forward either as there is no room. Can I put it in 5th gear, jack up one rear wheel and just turn the wheel? Or will the diff stop me doing that?

 

[zbloke]

You could, mark the position of the distributor relative to its mounting plate, slacken off the adjuster bolt, spin the distributor to get the points onto a lobe of the distributors cam, set the gap then move the distributor back to the reference mark you made, followed by seting the timing with a strobe light

 

[morbias]

That method worked great and saved a lot of arsing around, thanks!