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Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.

Started by johnnycharger, April 16, 2022, 08:01:03 PM

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johnnycharger

 :shruggy:
Hi all,
I purchased a 72 Challenger with a 440 in it. It was originally a 318 car. I do not know where they sourced the 440. I researched what NGK plugs to buy and  everything I saw said to use the XR5 332. I bought them and installed them on the driver's side just fine. On the passenger side none of them want to start in. I notice the AC delcos that I removed are R43TS seem to be quite skinnier. This is my first 440 and need some help getting this sorted.
Thanks!
John

70 sublime

next project 70 Charger FJ5 green

johnnycharger

I hope not. They look like old stock iron heads that have been painted.

johnnycharger


johnnycharger


johnnycharger

They won't even begin to thread even though the threads look the same as what came out. The Delco plugs are definitely skinnier.

johnnycharger

The NGKs went in fine on the drivers side but not the passenger side.

metallicareload99

Quote from: 70 sublime on April 16, 2022, 08:22:31 PM
Are there two different heads on the engine ??

:iagree:

Wow, looks like you got two different heads on one engine. I've heard that some cylinder heads did take the tapered seat plugs like you got on the left, but this is the first time I've seen em :-\
1968, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth

johnnycharger

In my opinion,  the heads look the same.  Am I missing something?

metallicareload99

Quote from: johnnycharger on April 17, 2022, 12:16:59 AM
In my opinion,  the heads look the same.  Am I missing something?

Be that as it may, there are two different sealing methods going between your two heads :-\ The spark plugs themselfs give that away
1968, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth

johnnycharger

The delcos on the left were installed on both sides. The ngks on the right are what I am trying to install. 

Nacho-RT74

Casting number is visible just removing the valve covers.
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

johnnycharger

Ok. Thank you. I will order some valve cover gaskets and then pull the valve covers in a few days and provide an update.
Any recommendations for good rubber gaskets that don't leak?

DownZero

You can not replace a "taper" seal spark plug with a "washer" seal one. Realy should be using Champion plugs on a mopar anyway.

John_Kunkel

Compare your taper seat spark plug holes to the pic below for plugs with gaskets. Notice the flat surface around the holes for the gasket to seat on.

Taper seat plugs will go into gasket seat holes but not necessarily vice-versa because the gasket will contact the head before the plug threads meet the threads in the hole.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

Nacho-RT74

hence would be nice to find out the heads casting numbers... if any. I never have seen an oldy V8 Mopar using 5/8" socket spark plugs from factory, but 13/16" socket spark plugs
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

Nacho-RT74

Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

ACUDANUT

I would pull the heads and really look at them. Chances are you have one RV head.

Would also be a good chance to see the pistons and bore condition. Just do it !!

johnnycharger

Quote from: Nacho-RT74 on April 18, 2022, 02:03:41 PM
hence would be nice to find out the heads casting numbers... if any. I never have seen an oldy V8 Mopar using 5/8" socket spark plugs from factory, but 13/16" socket spark plugs


Driver's side valve cover is off. I believe this is the casting number I am looking for.

johnnycharger

On the passenger side it is the same stamping.



johnnycharger

Thank you all for the help with this. This one is a bit of a mystery!

johnnycharger

Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.

ACUDANUT


Nacho-RT74

I remember reading on some heads the word TRUCK on them, but can't recall if they were BB or SB. It was at an old Mopar parts dealer.
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

ACUDANUT

Quote from: ACUDANUT on April 19, 2022, 09:23:22 AM
I would pull the heads and really look at them. Chances are you have one RV head.

Would also be a good chance to see the pistons and bore condition. Just do it !!
x2

metallicareload99

Quote from: johnnycharger on April 23, 2022, 12:46:25 PM
Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.

NGK UR5, 2771, seems most similar to the XR5 you were going to use :shruggy:
1968, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth


johnnycharger

Quote from: ACUDANUT on April 25, 2022, 01:13:40 PM
Quote from: ACUDANUT on April 19, 2022, 09:23:22 AM
I would pull the heads and really look at them. Chances are you have one RV head.

Would also be a good chance to see the pistons and bore condition. Just do it !!
x2


Thank you but I am not ready to pull the heads just yet.

johnnycharger

Quote from: metallicareload99 on April 25, 2022, 04:48:55 PM
Quote from: johnnycharger on April 23, 2022, 12:46:25 PM
Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.

NGK UR5, 2771, seems most similar to the XR5 you were going to use :shruggy:

Thank you!

metallicareload99

Quote from: johnnycharger on April 26, 2022, 09:15:18 PM
Quote from: metallicareload99 on April 25, 2022, 04:48:55 PM
Quote from: johnnycharger on April 23, 2022, 12:46:25 PM
Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.

NGK UR5, 2771, seems most similar to the XR5 you were going to use :shruggy:

Thank you!

No prob :2thumbs: let us know how it turns out!
1968, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth