Stupid ? How to check fuel pressure/plug gapping

[oldblue1968chevy]

I bought myself a fuel pressure guage/vac. guage.

Seems to be if I hook guage up to fuel pump and start bumping it over gas will go into the guage?!?

Whats the right way to check my fuel pressure (edelbrock recomends 4.5/5) Id like to see what im getting.

Also, I have summit/dart/vortec heads. Im running champion plugs for a 98 chevy 350. I installed them out of the box. Would it be a good idea to yank them out and gap them (am I really loosing performance w/o gapping them?)

Thanks

[truckdude239]

not surte it it matter but we run alot of gages here at work for like water pressure hydric pressures and the one oun our pressure washer fill up with water and the gage company said it was suppose but no sure about a gas gague

[oldblue1968chevy]

Ok, bump anyone Id like to check it this afternoon

[usmcchevy]

Gas wont hurt the gauge, just plumb it in someplace between the pump and carb. Here is a thread with some pics in case you need a regulator.

Never hurts to clean/gap your plugs.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...pressure+gauge

[Marv D]

Just a sanity check here.... Don't the Dart heads take a 3/4" reach gasketed plug,,, and the stock plug is a taper seat. Maybe I'm not understanding what you have.

As for gap,, a general tule of thumb is if you have the stock HEI ignition,, 0.040 - 0.042" i a safe starting point. If your running a aftermarket ignition (MSD/Mallory/Accel CD box), or a old stock points ignition 0.035" is a safe starting point.

(EDIT) just checked, they do require a 3/4reach plug, but these are a iron head (my mistaken assumption that they were aluminum) but taper seat. With a suggested starting heat ranvge of RS14YC. I don't believe the plugs for the stock vortecs used a 3/4 reach did they. Maybe you have all that sorted out,, just saying.....

[oldblue1968chevy]

There the heads summit sells in their catalog summit is casted in front back of heads. They came in a white box that said 'dart'

The guage im using is a handheld guage, not inline. I just want to check the fuel pressure briefly, not monitor it 24 7

[cableguy0]

Fuel pressure needs to be checked with the engine running. Champion plugs are for dodges and lawn mowers. Axe them and get a set of ac delcos in there. If the gauge cant be plugged inline you will never get an accurate reading.

[fleetsidelarry]

with a "T" fitting, right?

[cableguy0]

Originally Posted by fleetsidelarry

with a "T" fitting, right?

Thats the easier way with the cheaper gauges that dont have an inlet and outlet.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Ac delco for a vortec 350 was around $50 bucks not kidding either!

Thats why I went champion...

Here is what I bought...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WMR-W80594/?rtype=10

[oldblue1968chevy]

So I need a T fitting to use my existing guage? thanks guys

[cableguy0]

Maybe for double platinums. A standard ac delco plug is less than 2 bucks each.

[oldblue1968chevy]

I dunno i'll check back next time im at the car parts store. Id rather run AC myself being GM plus..

[Winston301]

The instructions on my handheld fuel pressure gauge says to disconnect the fuel line going into the carb & plug the gauge into the fuel line. Start the engine, check the pressure. You obviously don't have much time before the engine burns all the fuel already in the carb. I have used it only once - to check the fuel pressure on my lawn mower's fuel pump that pushed 4.2 PSI. (FWIW - those are the exact same instructions from my mower service manual) I haven't had to use it on my truck yet. I agree it seems like the gas would go into the gauge, but it worked & the gauge still works. I also agree with the above comment - using a T fitting in-line from the pump to the carb would/should be more accurate.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Im going to get a T, had other problems lately..

I have vortec heads. What sparkplugs are best for DD reliabilty/performance and budget friendly that work with vortecs heads.

THANKS

[fastwillie 696969]

i use autolites never had any problems

[oldblue1968chevy]

Im really looking for a specific brand/ # for my application, I realized im spark plug stupid

[fleetsidelarry]

oldblue, have you tried giving the Summit tech line a call to see what the heads require in terms of plug type (reach and seat and tip style) and what they would recommend for a heat range? with that info you can then pick whatever brand you desire.

asking what brand is better is like asking which carb is better, you'll get strong advocates for/against each brand. With the HEI, I don't think you need anything special in the way of a sparkplug.

[Marv D]

Ditto what Larry said. I use NGK race plugs's in race motors, ACDelco in street motors. Reasons or brands really make no difference, just stay away from the hype, multiple ground strap, unobtanium metals, and BS 'trick' plugs.

Way back in the early 70's David Vizard said...

In desperation, others have installed "guaranteed, life time, more horsepower, mileage and engine life" trick plugs. Don't bother. No one winning any races uses them - so why should you? Most of these plugs, easily identiied by the full page adds used to advertise them, appeal to the "something-for-nothing" owner who thinks that screwing in new plugs will give instant and enormous improvements in HP and mileage. We all know that this is impossible and so do you. But, Barnum was right, there IS a SUCKER born every minute.

ALL you need is a reliable plug that FITS THE HEAD AND CHAMBER, and is the proper heat range. No tricks to that. On the street, FOR A STARTING POINT, find something that cooresponds to a
Champion heat range 12 or 14,,, (Typically in Autolite it is a 42 or 44)

But if you don't KNOW the proper seat, reach and nose projection... FIND OUT. The wrong plug is total foolishness.

[oldblue1968chevy]

14mm .708" reach

I need that style plug. I dont know what brand/heat range to go with though..

The speed shop locally sold me some TR6 NGK plugs but everything i googled said these are for turbo motors or supercharged or other means of forced induction

I TOLD THEM BASICALLY STOCK DD!!

[fleetsidelarry]

Summit "recommends" a champion RS14YC this gives you all the info you need to cross-reference a heat range (it's the seat and reach you mentioned and it looks to be an extended tip or nose, which SBCs typically have liked, 14 is the heat range)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-151124/?rtype=1

[Winston301]

I am running AC Delco 41-993. Check the specs on those. Those may/may not work for you.

[fleetsidelarry]

google is your friend (that's what the tech help at the Sprint Store told me)

http://www.sparkplug-crossreference....AMP_PN/RS14YC/

Winston, I don't see an AC Delco 41-993

[oldblue1968chevy]

Checked fuel pressure today, 8-10 psi, i was dumping the excess fuel back into the carb it was pouring onto the intake heres a pic

i need a regulator, im hoping my truck runs better after i get this resolved

Any advise on a regulator? Summit has a summit brand for $25 i'll probably go with that..

[oldblue1968chevy]

Reason the fuel is black is because there was dirt/dust on the intake...my fuel isnt that color

Or should I get an edelbrock pump...?