Volvo RWD 444-544 Forum

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by alschnertz on Tue May 31 00:48 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014

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I prefer NGK brand plugs and have used type BP6HS plugs in B18 and B20 engines with no problems. On the B16 however, the piston hits the plug.

I don't know what spark plug the factory used in 1960, but definately not one this long.

Any suggestions or preferences?
--
'86 745T, '72 144E, '70 145S, '68 220S, '60 544

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by revolvo on Wed Jun 1 10:33 CST 2005
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last visit: Mon May 20 22:34 CST 2013

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On my B-14 and B-16 motors I've used Autolite plugs with acceptable results. The Bosch ones seemed to foul too easily. The Autolite number is, I believe #303
The plug is noticably shorter than the ones for the later engines. Most car parts places will just give you whatever is listed next to "Volvo" in the book, and that means for a B-18 to B-23 engine. For those later engines, THAT number is, #273

Confirm this first please, as I may not be sure of the exact numbers.

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by alschnertz on Wed Jun 1 14:21 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014

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You are correct according to my local parts store; here is what I found out.

Factory spec. was a Champion J8 as stated earlier.

AC Delco equivalent is R43. This plug does not have a removable/threaded end so I could not use it with my spark plug wires that grip the threads. A "push-on" spark plug boot would work fine with the R43.

Autolite equivalent is #303 according to the parts store (but see the additional information below) which I put in there now. It does have the threaded end.

The following numbers I got out of a AC Delco catalog conversion chart dated 1994. Maybe they can help someone else...other brands of the AC R43 equivalent are;

Autolite # 315 (parts store told me #303...what?)
Autolite # 3014
Bosch # W7E
Champion # J6
Mopar # P33S
Mopar # P33SA
Mopar # P335A
Motorcraft # AR31
Motorcraft # AT3
Motorcraft # AT4
Motorcraft # AZ3
NAPA # X900
NGK # B7S
Nippondenso # W20S-U
Nippondenso # W20SR-U
Prestolite # 14-3
Prestolite # 14R3

We'll see how the 303 works.
Thanks
--
'86 745T, '72 144E, '70 145S, '68 220S, '60 544

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by revolvo on Wed Jun 1 18:51 CST 2005
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last visit: Mon May 20 22:34 CST 2013

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If I remember correctly, the difference in the Auto lite numbers (303 vs 315) could have something to do with the end, or tips. One would be threaded, and the other thicker. Or maybe I just put in the wrong plugs all these years, and they happened to work. Aren't old Volvos amazing that way!

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by yogui on Wed Jun 1 10:43 CST 2005
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last visit: Tue Apr 30 15:41 CST 2013

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From www.autolite.com :

For volvo 122 1966: Autolite 275

For volvo PV544 1966: Autolite 275

Oh, Oh, the automatic selector on www.autolite.com is wrong!

Probably some volvofans found it by the hard way...

--
Joaquin / Rojo 121 / Lima, Peru

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by Phil S. on Wed Jun 1 11:29 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 13:18 CST 2014

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Joaquin, those would be plugs for a B18, not a B16...

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by CVOLVO on Tue May 31 01:24 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Jul 13 18:40 CST 2012

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On my 1960 Amazon-S with a B16B, I currently use a Bosch W 175 T3. The Champion J6 also is listed as a compatible spark plug in the specifications manual.
--
Cam a.k.a. CVOLVO.COM

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by alschnertz on Tue May 31 06:35 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014

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Cam

Thanks. I'm not a big fan of Champion but was able to cross reference that J6 number to AC R43 which someone locally has in stock. I'll try the AC and see how well they perform.

It's painfull to see the scars on the pistons from the long plugs, but there doesn't appear to be any serious damage. I think I got lucky this time.

--
'86 745T, '72 144E, '70 145S, '68 220S, '60 544

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by Phil S. on Tue May 31 07:31 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 13:18 CST 2014

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You got very lucky... spark plugs need to be a specific length. The threaded portion needs to not extend into the combustion chamber at all. If it does, the plugs quickly overheat (regardless of heat range) and act just like glow plugs -- they fire the mixture regardless of ignition timing. The result is massive detonation.

I just saw this on a B16 where one plug was replaced with the wrong one. Big hole in the piston right down through the rings, and a wedge cracked out of the exhaust valve.

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Which spark plugs do you use in your B16? 444-544 1960

posted by alschnertz on Tue May 31 08:28 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014

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Don't remember if someone told me to use that plug or if it was my own stupidity. Doesn't make a difference at this point.

For some reason, only the #1 and #3 plugs were hit. I guess the electrode must have been positioned just right that it got bent from the 0.030" down to about 0.005" on both plugs without poking through the piston. Whew! Car still ran... amazing.

Thanks for the input.
--
'86 745T, '72 144E, '70 145S, '68 220S, '60 544

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