AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => Engine Electrical Systems. => Topic started by: Eagle80 on January 10, 2014, 01:37:47 PM

Title: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Eagle80 on January 10, 2014, 01:37:47 PM
Hello! I recently purchased an 1980 Eagle and have been planning my repair/upgrade list. I got some NGK FR5-1 spark plug to replace the Champions that are currently in it. When I compared the two side by side it appears the NGKs are slightly longer and would protrude further in the combustion chamber. Was wondering if that's acceptable and what people's opinions are on what spark plugs to run if not. My first post so thanks for everyone's time in advance.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: IowaEagle on January 10, 2014, 01:48:07 PM
A thumbs up for your first post.  Not sure about the NGK's.  I stick with the Bosch plugs that are for our engines.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: JayRamb on January 10, 2014, 03:02:09 PM
I have Champion in my 87 Eagle. Seems to do better than NGK and Bosch for my engine. Trial and error.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: carnuck on January 10, 2014, 04:35:59 PM
Stock wasn't Bosch. Should be Autolite or Champion. The FR5-1 are extended tips. See what the OEM number is on your emissions tag. 985 Autolite was also extended tip. I switched to NGK BKR6EK plugs with a hotter coil. ('70s Mopar IC12SB from Napa) and I get zero ping without my EGR.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Eagle80 on January 10, 2014, 10:30:14 PM
Thanks for everyone's answers. Went with the Bosch FR9HC+. I'm doing the TFI upgrade so I gapped em to .045. I'm in Michigan so while the car is remarkably rust free (for MI), the engine needs some attention. Half the emissions junk is disconnected and the other half consists of dry rotted vacuum lines! I'm sure I'll have more questions.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Monkeyjoe on January 11, 2014, 02:21:56 AM
I pretty much use champion plugs on everything I own now.  The only thing I use NGK plugs on now are my motorcycles and boat motors.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: eaglebeek on January 11, 2014, 10:39:40 AM
Quote from: Eagle80 on January 10, 2014, 10:30:14 PM
Half the emissions junk is disconnected and the other half consists of dry rotted vacuum lines! I'm sure I'll have more questions.
Are you in a smog-test area? :eagle:
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Eagle80 on January 11, 2014, 12:37:18 PM
No, MI has no emissions requirements. Catalytic converter is already long  gone. I have a Motorcraft 2150 kit coming from Gronk and plan on removing as much of the lines as possible.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Eagle80 on January 11, 2014, 02:15:55 PM
Also was wondering about the component attached to the coil circled in the picture. I'm doing the TFI conversion and wanted to know if that had to go on the new coil or if it wasnt required.  You can see my new coil in the picture.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Monkeyjoe on January 11, 2014, 03:03:51 PM
that looks like an old "insulator"  They were used to help cut down on the electronic interference in your am/fm radios.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: IowaEagle on January 11, 2014, 03:38:20 PM
Yeah, that appears to be the noise suppression condenser to get rid of that annoying buzz sometimes heard on radios
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: carnuck on January 11, 2014, 03:57:25 PM
More the AM than FM side. It's just an old ignition condenser put to a different purpose.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Eagle80 on January 12, 2014, 10:17:09 AM
Interesting. I think I'll leave it off and see what happens. I do listen to AM radio so hopefully with more "modern" ignition components I wont get any interference on the radio. Thanks again!
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Monkeyjoe on January 12, 2014, 12:34:36 PM
sorry but you will probably still get the interference, 
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: Eagle80 on January 12, 2014, 03:24:09 PM
The instructions I got with the upgrade kit make no mention of either leaving it on or taking it off. I had no idea what it was. Guess I will have to figure out a way to attach it to the coil bracket. Thanks-I do want to be able to listen to the radio in my eagle!
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: BenM on January 13, 2014, 02:45:56 PM
I don't know how important it is with modern electronic ignitions, but bad condensers (the giant metal-shelled capacitor connected to the coil) have been known to cause big problems on old points ignition cars when they're missing or wrong sized. I always put a fresh one on with a coil. I've never experienced a mismatch problem myself, but I don't throw out the old one just in case, I just put it in the glove box.

I've done well with Bosch Platinum plugs and with good old AC copper plugs in the AMC engines. In Subarus though, I've gained 3-5 mpg going to NGK plugs. I believe there's some voodoo in plugs where they are matched better to certain engines.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: carnuck on January 13, 2014, 03:24:14 PM
I put the static killer on the antenna and power coming to the radio.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: IowaEagle on January 13, 2014, 04:28:26 PM
Replacing points with the condenser that came with them was important.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: carnuck on January 16, 2014, 12:32:43 PM
The condenser on the coil actually doesn't do anything for the ignition in points systems. It's the one next to the points that is important. I have used the one on the coil in a pinch when the one next to the points suddenly died though.
Title: Re: NGK FR5-1 7252 ok to use?
Post by: IowaEagle on January 16, 2014, 08:33:08 PM
yup.