Air cooled spark plugs

[bmh]

Does anyone out there have any technical liturature on air cooled spark plugs? Or any experience or advice on working on them? I know they can be taken apart for service, but was told putting them back together is tricky so they don't crack or leak. Is there a gasket in there to replace? I have some that I would like to replate the bases on and I would still like them to work when I'm done. If I did any real riding I would use modern plugs of course but it would be nice to put some air cooled in to ride around at the meets and such. Thanks in advance

[Chris Haynes]

There is a crush washer in them that needs to be replaced. Good luck finding them.
I just cover the procelain on mine with rubber hose and send the off with the rest of the cad plating.

[rousseau]

I put these in my 38 EL period modified when I "show it.

[mmoore]

I still run mine in my 34 I take them apart with a tool I made . I was careful to make sure the 2 tabs were just big enough to fit the slots as the original plug that was in it been beat apart with a punch. I used to get the copper seals from a old diesel injector pump repair shop. unfotunatly he retired a few years ago and moved south. copper seals like head gasketts can be heated up and be reused also. the heating seems to make them swell back up. I bought a nos plug a couple of years ago. seem to see them in wierd places but i believe they are still around

[mmoore]

one last thing I did was take a deep well 6 point sockett weld it to a block of steel at the square drive end put it in a vice so you dont have to clamp the plug. stick your plug in and use that to hold it so your spanner wrench (if yours are slotted on the inside nut) can get a straight shot at it. I have taken many apart over these last 25 years or so and never had a problem. I did grind off the sockett as it was too long. tighten your vice real tight as some are hard to get apart but I have always got them.

[mmoore]

I guess im lucky as I only have to buy one plug

[bmh]

Thanks guys, I have one that looks like it was home when someone swallowed a valve. It's not beat up beyond use but I'll start by taking that one apart and see if I want to take any more apart. Great tip on the rubber hose Chris, I didn't think something like that would work. That might be the way I go, but I just gotta take one apart, can't help it....

[Chris Haynes]

If ya want plugs to actually use and will pass most judges check this site out.

http://jedscycleproducts.com/products.htm

[bmh]

Thanks Chris, I've seen those on bikes at meets. Until you really look you never notice. Unfortunatly the plugs I'm looking at doing right now are small base type as used in the early pans. Although your suggestion on replating has given me a few thoughts on how I may modify and replate some modern plugs.In the end I figure it to be just as easy to replate some originals and use them on special occasions

[INLINE4NUT]

BMH have you thought of this years ago while working at a dealership we use to take a small part that needed cad plating and use Harley silver in spray form and give it a coat,you will be surprised at the job it does! you would really have to look close to see it was a paint job while your experimenting give it a try!!! After that we called it caduim in a can!! and only the HD silver came that close !!

[Chris Haynes]

BMH have you thought of this years ago while working at a dealership we use to take a small part that needed cad plating and use Harley silver in spray form and give it a coat,you will be surprised at the job it does! you would really have to look close to see it was a paint job while your experimenting give it a try!!! After that we called it caduim in a can!! and only the HD silver came that close !!

That reminds me of Andy Verrone who was the H-D dealer in Santa Monica, CA. Every used part he sold was painted silver. :-)

[INLINE4NUT]

Chris this was back east and the dealership was founded in 1923, its funny theymust of all used it to save a little money but on small stuff I must say it does not look bad.

[bmh]

Yes, I will admit to having such thoughts at times. The "Silver Bead Blast" paint the factory uses on the new motor parts looks just like freshly bead blasted aluminum and lasts for a long time. I have done that on more modern bikes that I ride hard, it makes them a lot easier to keep clean. But I want to be more authentic with this project.