C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

[Terry F.]

Hi, anyone have any information on the "copper" sparkplug washers that were used on the early corvettes. I seem to recall them being used as early as 56 and as late as 68. Anyone have an opinion of them. Did all cars back then use them? Do they check for them when judging a car? Regards, Terry

[Clem Z.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

a lot of those "copper" washers used on production cars were steel copper plated but we used solid copper washers on race engines for better heat conductivity. they were sold in bulk by champion back then. i still have some of the copper plated steel ones somewhere

[Terry M.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

These are not a high visibility item so it is not somethign the judges look for. Maybe we should.

[Terry F.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

I thought they would look for them. You might be able to see them with a mirror. About the only reason I know about them is because of my Dad who ordered a new 56 Belair with a corvette engine in it. Had the dual quads with the aluminum intake and a 3 speed, posi rear end. It was all black with kind of a yellow and black interior I think. Anyway,long after the car was gone, I remember the copper washers hanging around in baby food jars on a rack. I believe they are solid copper all the way through. Does anybody know how late they were used? I though I saw some on the NOS plugs that I found for my 68 BB. Regards, Terry

[James F.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.-Terry

Terry,
AC sold (in the early 1960's) "copper colored" washers, 100 to a box. AC Box says "Spark Plug Spin-on Gasket, 100 GS14MM 5612326." These washers appear to be copper plated steel, as they are magnetic. Made exactly as today's current steel washers are, which is folded over on itself. However, they did not have the three equally spaced spin on ears. If you want real 14mm copper washers they can be had from Aircraft Spruce & Speciality Co. Your fathers '56 Chevy was one special car especially if it had positraction. Back then, dealer installed only, and rarely done! Regards,

[Terry F.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.-Terry

I think he said it also had dual point distributor. Said it was a bit of a pain to maintain. Two sad storis about my Dad's car. 1) He made the mistake of letting somebody work on it and they screwed up the firing order on the plug wires. They started it and it back fired through the intake. The AFB lit up and before they new what was going on, the paint was falling off the hood. By the time they opened the hood, my Dad said the carbs looked like too shinny blobs sitting on the intake. He was upset. 2) He was coming home from the service driving from Wisconsin to Nebraska, early in the morning and cold out, tired. He was in Iowa and coming close to the Nebraska boarder when he crested a hill. There was a car standing in the road stalled. I think he said it was a 53 or 54 chevy. He hit his brakes and it was nothing but black ice. His 56 was no more. He doesn't like to talk about it. He doesn't even want to look at the pictures of his car. I think he should have found another one a long time ago. Maybe someday. Later, Terry

[Terry F.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.-Terry

I have several of those washers, I will check to see if they are attracted to a magnet. Regards, Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

Terry-----

The washers used on Chevrolet engine spark plugs were either steel with a copper plate, steel with a zinc plate, or steel with a chrome plate. No solid copper washers were ever used on a PRODUCTION Chevrolet engine or, as far as I know, ever available from GM in SERVICE.

The use of washers on the spark plugs included all engines through 1970. For Chevrolet engines, all spark plugs were 14 mm. The versions used through 1970 required a washer for sealing. In 1971 most Chevrolet engines, except those with aluminum heads and a few others, converted to a tapered seat spark plug which was still 14 mm threads. With tapered seat spark plugs, no gasket is used or is necessary.

[Terry F.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

I checked my washers with a magnet. They stuck. Must be the steel one's with the copper coating. I assume the copper was for conductivity between the block and the plug. Any idea as to how far back they were used? Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

Terry-----

These washers, in one or the other of the plating finishes that I described, go WAY, WAY back. Like, before the 1940's.

[Dave S.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

Terry,
I just opened a set of AC 46 spark plugs w/ copper washers for my 61 FI car and the inner and outer boxes were dated 62(1962). I think the washers were changed to steel in the 64 area.

[Terry F.]

Thanks for the information!

Interesting information. Thank you for the responces. Best regards, Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: C1,2,3 copper sparkplug washers.

Terry, et al-----

I have record of only 2 different spark plug washers EVER being used on any Chevrolet spark plug. These are:

GM #1555475-----this is a plated steel washer for 14 mm spark plugs. It does not have the internal retaining "nubs". It's use goes back to 1933. Prior to that, 18 mm spark plugs were used;

GM #5612328-----this is a plated steel washer for 14 mm spark plugs. It does have the internal retaining "nubs". It's use goes back to, at least, 1963.

The above-referenced pieces are still available from GM to this very day for anyone who wants to get some and see what they're like. They're cheap, but the package size is 100 for each.