Glass Spark Plug

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devino246

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My engine has been running a little rough and i wanted to tune the carbuerator a little. I've heard of a glass spark plug so you could see the color of the flame and adjust accordingly. Any one know where i could find one?
 

KieranM

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mike75925

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is there a direct correlation between the color of combusted fuel and the right ratio? seems there would be. since we know that a blue flame is colder and such. but, measuring the color on such a small scale? is it even possible? i was reading up on reading plugs. one guy suggests using one plug, running it through the range and checking the whole plug. by sub-dividing the ceramic portions according to how many circuits are present in the carb. he (i think also said) you can run the engine and partially cover the intake to see how the engine responds. if it revs higher, you need more fuel. if it bogs, less. you take and read one division at a time, using the colors specified. another guy says you can not get the tan color on your plug anymore unless you are running leaded fuel.
 

KieranM

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suppose its really if you cant tell if its running rich or not,........ if it is rich you can see
small yellow particles in the chamber along with the flame (carbon particles). all this device really tells you is if your engine is running lean or rich.
 

mike75925

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seems the yellow particles would be undamaged hydrocarbon strands(strands of molecules). the e-tube is supposed to break them up so the fuel will burn more evenly, right?
 

KieranM

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yea thats right, but its the adjusting of your carb till you get the correct flame colour, when all the yellow particles have gone.

I beleive that it is used in more high revving engines i think,

The flame coluors range from blue/white-orange/yellow
 

mike75925

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kap'n, this is a service tool. if you tune a lot, it is worth it's price. you figure with the cheapest plug, say 1.29, and you can hit your mark every time on the first plug. you do a few vehicles like that, and you've already paid for the tool. if the carb is running rich you have to change plugs. if lean you can stay running the same one. it's just like a timing light, degree wheel, screwdriver etc.
 

02mx-5

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blue falme is colder? colder then what. Ive always heard, and told, that blue flames are the hot spots. Like on a lighter. The blue tip is hottest. Or with welding. The blue is the hotspot. BUT i also know that the invisible flame is the hottest. (right?)
 

mike75925

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blue flame is said to be the coldest, white the hottest. alchohol burns invisible, but i think it is the near the coldest fire you can get.
 

KieranM

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i was told yellow flame was the coldest but not too sure about that, its something that not alot of people know the answer to,
 
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