Spark Plugs and Judging

[Mike Cobine]

With so many selling old plugs at high prices for restoration purposes, I'm curious how the judging breaks on these.

For example, if you had a midyear that was supposed to have an AC 44 plug, what is the best and worse?

1. AC 45 with the green stripes

2. AC R44 with the green stripes

3. AC 44S with the green stripes

Would being one heat range off be better or having the resistor plugs be better?

And then also, since I think AC 43 were an optional plug, even though it wouldn't run that great, would those be a better choice for judging?

[Jack H.]

Re: Spark Plugs and Judging

The lion's share of NCRS Corvette divisions (division = a model year or years covered by a Judging Guide), do NOT encourage judges to pull spark plug boots or try to judge the plugs installed except to the extent a plug may be readily observed. Most small blocks had lower ignition sheilds making visibility without MAJOR disassembly difficult to impossible. Later era small blocks (71L and beyond) shielded only the rear plugs. But, even with plugs readily visible, the boot on the plug wire obscures much of the ceramic tower making factory originality determination difficult to impossible.

So, what is and isn't judged is covered on a case by case basis in the applicable Judging Guide with quite a few divisions simply barring judges from attempting to judge spark plug authenticity. Now, NCRS isn't the only factory concours circuit for Corvettes and other judging authorities (e.g. NCCB/Bloomington, NCCC and Chevy/Vettefest) may differ in this area. So, the demand for factory original spark plugs and parallel 'exotic' items like factory original rotors for the distributor may NOT be driven by NCRS.

Other judging circuits can be an influence. Plus, the individual owner's desire for completeness and correctness in his/her restoration is another source of demand. Remember, in the end, the most critical judge you'll encounter is YOU--you know what's original and what's not on your car....

[Jack H.]

Re: Spark Plugs and Judging

The lion's share of NCRS Corvette divisions (division = a model year or years covered by a Judging Guide), do NOT encourage judges to pull spark plug boots or try to judge the plugs installed except to the extent a plug may be readily observed. Most small blocks had lower ignition sheilds making visibility without MAJOR disassembly difficult to impossible. Later era small blocks (71L and beyond) shielded only the rear plugs. But, even with plugs readily visible, the boot on the plug wire obscures much of the ceramic tower making factory originality determination difficult to impossible.

So, what is and isn't judged is covered on a case by case basis in the applicable Judging Guide with quite a few divisions simply barring judges from attempting to judge spark plug authenticity. Now, NCRS isn't the only factory concours circuit for Corvettes and other judging authorities (e.g. NCCB/Bloomington, NCCC and Chevy/Vettefest) may differ in this area. So, the demand for factory original spark plugs and parallel 'exotic' items like factory original rotors for the distributor may NOT be driven by NCRS.

Other judging circuits can be an influence. Plus, the individual owner's desire for completeness and correctness in his/her restoration is another source of demand. Remember, in the end, the most critical judge you'll encounter is YOU--you know what's original and what's not on your car....

[Harmon C.]

Re: Spark Plugs and Judging

If the stripes are where the judge can see them they need to be green and if they are some other color expect a deduction. The other numbers are covered by the boot and not judged by me. Lyle

[Harmon C.]

Re: Spark Plugs and Judging

If the stripes are where the judge can see them they need to be green and if they are some other color expect a deduction. The other numbers are covered by the boot and not judged by me. Lyle

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Spark Plugs and Judging

Thanks, Jack.

While today this is not an issue for me, you never know what tomorrow brings. So I wanted to be sure as I collect plugs to save the most value for the day they may actually go into a show to be judged.

It is so hard to find the plugs that I keep an eye out. I currently has some R45S that work fine for driving but since so many parts for normal driving is disappearing, I've been collecting a few packs of plugs.

I know it is hard to see anything, but I thought I'd check. The prices may be increasing since the Camaro and Chevelle engines are so much easier to see.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Spark Plugs and Judging

Thanks, Jack.

While today this is not an issue for me, you never know what tomorrow brings. So I wanted to be sure as I collect plugs to save the most value for the day they may actually go into a show to be judged.

It is so hard to find the plugs that I keep an eye out. I currently has some R45S that work fine for driving but since so many parts for normal driving is disappearing, I've been collecting a few packs of plugs.

I know it is hard to see anything, but I thought I'd check. The prices may be increasing since the Camaro and Chevelle engines are so much easier to see.