Reddish tint on my spark plugs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 11-30-2011, 08:20 PM

Today, I took out a spark plug from each side of my motor and I found that both of them had a slight reddish tint on them. I am not using any fuel additives. It is a R44ts in a vortec head. Could it be running to hot or too cold? Too rich or too lean? I also find that I have not been getting the fuel economy that I think I should be getting. What do yall think?

oldblue1968chevy · 11-30-2011, 09:23 PM

I think the reach on the 44s isnt right for the vortecs...Id run the TR55 by NGK @ .45 gap.

Cant help on the reddish.

Gumby · 11-30-2011, 09:24 PM

octane deposits

you running hi test gas?

[member as a dumb kid I fall for that 104+ addtive stuff and add half a can to 2 gal of gas in my motorcycle, ran fine, plugs were almost day glow oragne/red when pulled]

crm318 · 12-01-2011, 07:45 AM

Im not running any additives.

**truckdude239** · 12-01-2011, 08:04 AM

are you running 87 octane gas 89 or 93 in it?

donut · 12-01-2011, 08:28 AM

If your buying gas, your running additives of some sort.
Are you running the correct plugs for your heads? Wrong plugs and the color is moot. Like already mentioned, extended reach plugs for factory Vortecs, (thread should be almost 3/4", not the 1/2" of a standard plug. Thread length is an estimate.)
I believe R44LTS would be correct. This is from memory and I'm on my first cup of coffee...

68gmsee · 12-01-2011, 09:12 AM

Can you post a pic of it? I've seen a slight red tint on some spark plugs in the past but never really thought anything about it. As mentioned above, all gasolines have additives so I'd try a different brand for a week or so and check again. If the engine is otherwise in good condition -not missing, losing antifreeze, not running rich, etc. -I wouldn't worry about it.

oldblue1968chevy · 12-01-2011, 11:43 AM

Vortec heads use a .708" reach plug. Champion RS10YC or RS12YC is good.

A R45TS will not work at all in this cylinder head. It has a .460" reach.

oldblue1968chevy · 12-01-2011, 11:45 AM

14mm thread too

The NGK TR55 works and is pre gapped to 45 the NGK Tr5 works too but its pre gapped at .35

Gumby · 12-01-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donut

If your buying gas, your running additives of some sort.
..

DITTO only thing that makes gas different from one station to the next, the final additives they put in it.

summer and winter you can find more or less stuff added in places.

dznucks · 12-01-2011, 03:10 PM

Post up a pic please...

I am about to crank my vortec 355 for the first time and I have the NGK TR55's. They are the correct length, but not sure if they are the correct heat range for your application.

oldblue1968chevy · 12-01-2011, 05:12 PM

Not sure on the heat range-My heads are 'summit brand vortec heads'. The reccomended plug was a champion and the NGK TR5 (Same as 55 but a different gap)

11-30-2011, 08:20 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Reddish tint on my spark plugs Today, I took out a spark plug from each side of my motor and I found that both of them had a slight reddish tint on them. I am not using any fuel additives. It is a R44ts in a vortec head. Could it be running to hot or too cold? Too rich or too lean? I also find that I have not been getting the fuel economy that I think I should be getting. What do yall think? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

11-30-2011, 09:23 PM	#2
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs I think the reach on the 44s isnt right for the vortecs...Id run the TR55 by NGK @ .45 gap. Cant help on the reddish. __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

11-30-2011, 09:24 PM	#3
Gumby Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NW-Ohio Posts: 2,525	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs octane deposits you running hi test gas? [member as a dumb kid I fall for that 104+ addtive stuff and add half a can to 2 gal of gas in my motorcycle, ran fine, plugs were almost day glow oragne/red when pulled]

12-01-2011, 07:45 AM	#4
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs Im not running any additives. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

12-01-2011, 08:04 AM	#5
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs are you running 87 octane gas 89 or 93 in it? __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

12-01-2011, 08:28 AM	#6
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs If your buying gas, your running additives of some sort. Are you running the correct plugs for your heads? Wrong plugs and the color is moot. Like already mentioned, extended reach plugs for factory Vortecs, (thread should be almost 3/4", not the 1/2" of a standard plug. Thread length is an estimate.) I believe R44LTS would be correct. This is from memory and I'm on my first cup of coffee... __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

12-01-2011, 09:12 AM	#7
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs Can you post a pic of it? I've seen a slight red tint on some spark plugs in the past but never really thought anything about it. As mentioned above, all gasolines have additives so I'd try a different brand for a week or so and check again. If the engine is otherwise in good condition -not missing, losing antifreeze, not running rich, etc. -I wouldn't worry about it.

12-01-2011, 11:43 AM	#8
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs Vortec heads use a .708" reach plug. Champion RS10YC or RS12YC is good. A R45TS will not work at all in this cylinder head. It has a .460" reach. __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

12-01-2011, 11:45 AM	#9
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs 14mm thread too The NGK TR55 works and is pre gapped to 45 the NGK Tr5 works too but its pre gapped at .35 __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

12-01-2011, 03:10 PM	#11
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs Post up a pic please... I am about to crank my vortec 355 for the first time and I have the NGK TR55's. They are the correct length, but not sure if they are the correct heat range for your application.

12-01-2011, 05:12 PM	#12
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Reddish tint on my spark plugs Not sure on the heat range-My heads are 'summit brand vortec heads'. The reccomended plug was a champion and the NGK TR5 (Same as 55 but a different gap) __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4



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