plugs for a 1960

[Al E.]

I cleaning out the trunk of the car when I bought the car and I found these 10 cases of these plugs with 3 sets of wires. I am not sure if they will match my car or will even still be good to use. I assume the owner was planing on doing a tune up every year for the next 10 years.. but, When I spoke to a local guy, he told me that these plugs would not get hot enough to run my car without it skipping.. any advice on what plugs to useIMG_0849.jpgIMG_0852.jpg

[Paul Y.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

They might be a little cold for stop and go city driving but I believe they will be fine on the highway. A lot of people are looking for those spark plugs. You should be able to sell them if you choose not to use them. Regards, Paul

[Philip P.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

I do not think they make the 44 anymore. I use 45 in my 1960 230 and work to be fine. Those 44 plugs may be a rare find.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

The plugs you have are the same heat range as those that were installed at the Flint engine plant when your '60 was new ("4" heat range). As Paul said, these may be a little cold for the kind of driving we do with these cars today but they may also run just fine. A "5" heat range may be a better choice. These plugs were produced in the AC factory in England. They are identical to Flint made plugs except the upper contact where the wire attaches unscrews and it is stamped "Made In England" on the base. These plugs were shipped wrapped in the paper and were in boxes of 10.
Jeff

[Bruce B.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

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I do not believe your plugs are original vintage plugs as they are marked R44 which is a later resistor plug.

Attached is a picture of a box of AC45 plugs which are marked "Made in England".

[Al E.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

Well so I take it that these plugs are just junk.. When I go to Autozone for plugs they give me the autolite or the champion plugs.. and then they are not so sure if they are giving me the right plugs since the computer has 13 different selections for 1960 corvette

[Michael W.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

Well so I take it that these plugs are just junk..

Not by a long shot Al! Don't let those plugs out of your sight. Lots of people have used heat range 44 for decades and have never had a moment's problem.

[Jim T.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

It is free, you can advertise your plugs in the NCRS Driveline for sale. I have used Champion RJ12Y plugs in my 68 and 70 Corvettes for many years. Also used Champions in my first Corvette, a 1964.

[Al E.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

Ok will do. But I cant find the correct plugs for my car to make it run smooth, I was told that my car had cheap plugs.. autolite. I have looked in the ST-12 to see the plugs rating/size but no luck. If I use the 2x4 240hp will i need to use a different set of plugs vs the 230 single carb?

[Dick W.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

45's work well in a well tuned 283. If the engine has more than a little wear, or the carb(s) are a little outta tune 46's will mask those little problems.

[Michael W.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

Ok will do. But I cant find the correct plugs for my car to make it run smooth, I was told that my car had cheap plugs.. autolite. I have looked in the ST-12 to see the plugs rating/size but no luck. If I use the 2x4 240hp will i need to use a different set of plugs vs the 230 single carb?

Al, there's little or no difference between any of the major brands in terms of quality. Price is not an indication either or volume of mass marketing in hot rod magazines. Even the 'worst' brand of plug or the most inappropriate heat range will run OK for a little while till it either carbons up or erodes away. If you're having immediate engine performance issues, it may not be down to the plugs.

[Philip P.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

If you want AC plugs where I am in Washington state the are available at NAPA at least 45 are, I think some of the Corvette suppliers also sell them or of course you can seach the world wide web. Like was said the 44 plugs are not junk, in fact I was at a swap meet a month or so back and picked up a set from a Ford guy for $5, they look good hanging on the wall for now.

[Joe C.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

Extended tip plugs are better. I'd use R45S.

[John D.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

Al, What's so unique about your plugs is that they have the four green rings-all the same size yet they are resistor plugs. Sell them on ebay for major bucks my friend.
Not sure what HP your 60 is. Do you have the original ignition coil? Say you have a very good hot coil. Then you might get away with the R44.But since plugs are no fun to change with the shielding on why mess with the 44.
Do you have high domed pistons. I heard that maybe the 45S plugs might hit the pistons. Now I also heard if you index the plugs you could forget about having clearance problems with hi-domed .
Meanwhile as mentioned just put a set of AC 45 or AC46 and forget about it. If you foul out those plugs your have other issues. JD

[Al E.]

Re: plugs for a 1960

John,

The coil is a replacement from Autozone. I do not have any special pistons or cam. My only issue after knowing that they are resistor plugs with an aftermarket coil will this work with these wires pictured. the guy I bought the car from had so much crap in the trunk he claimed when with the car. I have these 4 packs of these wires and I have tossed at least 4 times when cleaning out the trunk but I fig I would save them after I brought the car home to give them to someone with who owned a Packard. They guy claims these are NOS wires for the Vette but they are not AC, Delco Remy, or GM. . I have since installed autozone wires, plugs, and coil.
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