What spark plugs for 340

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4mulas

Fixem'up
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Haven’t had a small block for a long time. What is the stock plug number for a 340?
71 10.5 compression, purple cam big valve J heads. thanks!
 
With today's gas RN9YC or RN7YC. I run RN9PMC in mine with similar set up. The heat range looks good on threads and lessened pinging on 93.
I run platinum to help avoid fouling.
 
Stock plugs?
Autolite 65
Champion 38 or 44 (or the above posted numbers; different numbering system)
NGK 2635
AC R44XLS
.035 gap
 
This is what I run in my .030 over, 10.5-1, 2.02 J headed 340. And they are peanut plugs aka small socket plugs.

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The correct plug is a Champion 12 heat range or NGK 5 heat range.
 
I realize asking for 'what plug' can lead to a lot of thoughts, so here is question1970 Swinger 340 4spd. I was told I had 10.5 compression, I use mostly,,,,, straight aviation fuel I get from the local airstrip. I tend to favor Champions, does it really matter, which one of these 3 ? RN7yc, RN9yc or R12YC , use with Taylor StreeThunder plug wires
 
I realize asking for 'what plug' can lead to a lot of thoughts, so here is question1970 Swinger 340 4spd. I was told I had 10.5 compression, I use mostly,,,,, straight aviation fuel I get from the local airstrip. I tend to favor Champions, does it really matter, which one of these 3 ? RN7yc, RN9yc or R12YC , use with Taylor StreeThunder plug wires

When I went to get plugs for my stock 68 340 a major Canadian auto store looked them up. R12YC. I liked the heat range R9YC better for the crappy gas we find here. There are other alternatives as you see here.
 
All of the big box stores show the RN12YC. I would be curious to see what a 68 service manual says. I think the 12 is more in line with the 73 low compression engine, not the 68, but I've been wrong before.
 
similar set up 10.5

heavy cam/ 3000 stall converter 3.23 sure grip /factory avs carb 91 octane /alcohol free with a bottle of 108 boost every tank

E3 .46 with pertronix converstion excellent throttle response in 2.02 J heads THEY WORK
 
All of the big box stores show the RN12YC. I would be curious to see what a 68 service manual says. I think the 12 is more in line with the 73 low compression engine, not the 68, but I've been wrong before.
The '68 FSM lists Champion N9Y gapped at .035" for both manual and automatic 340s.
 
The '68 FSM lists Champion N9Y gapped at .035" for both manual and automatic 340s.
Kinda what I thought, but since I don't have an early FSM I wasn't sure. That's just like the aftermarket to clump everything into one number. Thanks for posting that!
 
Kinda what I thought, but since I don't have an early FSM I wasn't sure. That's just like the aftermarket to clump everything into one number. Thanks for posting that!
N14Y is listed for the 273 and 318- so you're probably right, the aftermarket most likely just lists N12Y as a catch-all compromise for all small blocks.
 
N14Y is listed for the 273 and 318- so you're probably right, the aftermarket most likely just lists N12Y as a catch-all compromise for all small blocks.
I don't have the 73 340 info, but the 12 heat range may even be incorrect for it as well.
 
Kinda what I thought, but since I don't have an early FSM I wasn't sure. That's just like the aftermarket to clump everything into one number. Thanks for posting that!

I guess that is why my car runs better with the N9YC rather than the parts store recommended N12YC. Thanks.
 
So, if I go with Champion N12YC plugs,,,, and use Aviation Fuel in my 340, it should run very good ,,,yes ? or should I use 93 octane instead of aviation fuel
 
So, if I go with Champion N12YC plugs, and use Aviation Fuel in my 340, it should run very good ,,,yes ? or should I use 93 octane instead of aviation fuel
aviation fuel is designed to atomize at low temps/altitudes and evaps even faster under a hot hood!. I am sticking with alcohol free 91/93 even that's bad compared to the gas they sold 50yrs ago for these engines!!!
 
aviation fuel is designed to atomize at low temps/altitudes and evaps even faster under a hot hood!. I am sticking with alcohol free 91/93 even that's bad compared to the gas they sold 50yrs ago for these engines!!!
Thanks for the info,,,,,the AV fuel I think is around 100 octane. Plus it has some lead in it, that should be good for the older engine,,, I think ,,,, The guys at the airport say it works good in old tractors, and lawn mowers. Also use it in your portable generator for power outages,, it will last forever, not go sour like today's pump fuels.
 
RN12YC are 318 , 360 plugs . They also work in 72 , 73 8.5 compression 340's but they too prefer RN9YC's. The 68,69 and early 70 10.5 compression and the late 70 and 71 10.3 compression take a colder plug RN9YC. A big difference in performance will be seen with the correct plug in the early 68-71 340 . The power will be greatly seen in the mid range and up. Years ago I threw some RN12YC plugs in my 69 swinger. I left them in for one ride and put the old RN9YC's back in.
 
The first prefix R stands for resistor. I found out many years ago that my 68 340 GTS didn't run as good with the resistor plugs as the standard N9-Y. Might be that is just me. But then again I ran around with stainless solid core plug wires-they wrecked havoc with people's TV reception before cable.
 
The first prefix R stands for resistor. I found out many years ago that my 68 340 GTS didn't run as good with the resistor plugs as the standard N9-Y. Might be that is just me. But then again I ran around with stainless solid core plug wires-they wrecked havoc with people's TV reception before cable.
I didn't use the resister plugs either . But that would just be more confusing for some members. The non resister plugs also interfere with some of today's later ignitions and Stereos.
 
I took a plug out, it was an NGK GR4 V Power, it had a nice sandy brown color to to it, but it looked like it was about wore out,,,,So, I got 8 Gr4 on the way,,,,
 
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