Spark Plug

48super6

I came across an old spark plug among my dad's tools. It's a Champion plug with the number "10" on it. On line, I only found info on a Champion "10 com" plug, but it is different. Does the Champion 10 fit an early Hudson? If so what models and years? Since he worked at a Hudson dealership, I would assume its Hudson, but of course he also worked on a lot of different cars.

48super6

Any ideas if this is from a Hudson? Or thoughts on what its age is?

hudsontech

If I'm not mistaken the top part unscrews from the bottom - those were common in the 1920's, maybe earlier.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

48super6

Looking at it closely, I think your right- it does unscrew. I was just curious as to what vintage it was and what vehicle might use that size plug. I tried the spark plug collectors club but got no response (yet). Thanks for your post, Alex!

[Deleted User]

Sparkplugs into the 60s/70s had removable tops where the plug wire connected to the plug. Most champions and autolites had this feature. I don't know why they changed them unless it was for cost efficiency. Originally the plugwire had a "U" shaped end and the head of the plug screwed down against the wire end. They were not push on like todays. I would guess that some plugs still use a screw on cap.
Bob

hudsontech

I did some surfing on the 'net and found some racing plugs from the 60's and 70's there were like what you are showing us. I think maybe the theory there was that if the top snapped off it would be quicker to change that then pull the whole plug. Would apply back-in-the-day - easier to just change the top than to pull the whole thing out.



It's a theory anyway.





Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

[Deleted User]

Alex,
A lot of small engines especially Lawn Mower and Outboards used the U-shaped terminal that the cap screwed on to retain.
Bob

30essex

hudsontech wrote:

I did some surfing on the 'net and found some racing plugs from the 60's and 70's there were like what you are showing us. I think maybe the theory there was that if the top snapped off it would be quicker to change that then pull the whole plug.

TN

I'm still using C-7 Champions in my '30 Essex and C-4 Champions in my '26 Chev. These look like the plug pictured. These are the original two part plugs and they still seem to work fine. It takes exactly the same amount of time and effort to take out just the top part which contains just the central electrode than the whole plug. A standard large size plug socket only fits on the top part.

[Deleted User]

thay were made that way so you could take them apart for cleaning.Or at least that is what I have been told.

hudsontech

Chipmaker wrote:

thay were made that way so you could take them apart for cleaning.Or at least that is what I have been told.

Given the lousy gas they had back-in-the-day, that explanation makes sense. I suspect there was a lot of carboning up of plugs, valves (most mechanical manuals from the teens, 20's and even into the 30's recommended valve jobs at fairly low milages (50,000 and under - I've seen one book recommended the procedure to be done at the beginning of the "motoring season", ie in the spring before you put your car back on the road for the summer.)



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN