NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

[surrender]

Have heard only the Champions should be used, ql77jc4. The nkgbr7hix iridium is supposed to be a thin wire high performance plug. Link shows it will work for the motor. Anybody have a suggestion.
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_finder/watercraft/results.asp?id=681&type=ir

 

[Dhadley]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

You can run a plug other than what the motor was built for but you'll have to do some testing and rejetting to make sure you don't burn a piston from an incorrect heat range plug. The simplest thing to do is run what the motor was designed for.

However, if you're going to modify the motor you may benifit from a different plug. What are you planning on doing to the motor?

 

[surrender]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Not going to do anything special. Just that I can get the NKG at Auto zone on the cheap(relatively) whereas the Champion is only available at West Marine and its more expensive(West Marine, of course). I also need some other stuff for my truck and can use another discount at Auto Zone so why not buy my Johnson some new plugs (the NKG) and save some money. The heat range is the same as the Champion(it was a direct cross match. nothing more or less).

 

[bktheking]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Auto zone doesn't sell ql77jc4's???

You need to have a chat with them if they don't, it's only the most common marine spark plug

 

[Dhadley]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Yep, that's why I'd run something other than what the manufacturer recommends - to save a few cents on a plug. Just for kicks, look into what a piston costs. And how much it is to replace one.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

any NAPA auto parts store sells Champion plugs. no Advance and a lot of other store do not have Champion.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

False economy in my opinion. Stick with the champions.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Got an O'Reilly's near you???? If they do not have teh Champions, they can get them, probably overnight depending on their truck schedule...

Also, if you talk to the manager at the O'Reilly's and ask him to stick that plug for you, and that there are other boat owners in the area that will use the same plug, they will usually not have any proble, stocking them for you and other boaters...

Unlike Autozone and Advanced Auto, O'Reilly's encourages its team members to go above and beyond to find and stock the parts that their area customers are looking for... They will be glad to help you out.

 

[surrender]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Yep, that's why I'd run something other than what the manufacturer recommends - to save a few cents on a plug. Just for kicks, look into what a piston costs. And how much it is to replace one.

Duh, Smart a**. I know what a piston would cost. Your response brings nothing to the discussion and is typical of someone who probably knows little about sparkplugs. Is there an ignore function on this forum?

 

[ezeke]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

edit

 

[Vic.S]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

The NGK equivalent of QL77JC4 is BZ7HS-10

Like the QL77JC4 it is an inductively suppressed plug, suitable for CD ignition systems and VRO/OMS systems.

If your 88 is not a VRO/OMS then you could use the non suppressed B7HS-10. but with cd ignition do not use a plug with resistive suppression eg BR7HS or BR7HIX even though the NGK website may suggest them! (It'll be safe but performance may suffer)

I am not aware of an NGK Iridium equivalent. (Other than the resistively suppressed BR7HIX. If you want to go down the Iridium route you are on your own.

 

[bktheking]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Duh, Smart a**. I know what a piston would cost. Your response brings nothing to the discussion and is typical of someone who probably knows little about sparkplugs. Is there an ignore function on this forum?

I'm pretty sure Dhadley knows something about plugs, he builds these motors for racing if i'm not mistaken. He was just pokin fun, no need to get upset.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Duh, Smart a**. I know what a piston would cost. Your response brings nothing to the discussion and is typical of someone who probably knows little about sparkplugs. Is there an ignore function on this forum?

Mr Hadley has most likely forgotten more than you will ever know about these motors.
He made an excellent point in my humble opinion.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Yes, there is an ignore function. Please feel free to ignore Dhadley and miss out on more good info than comes from any 100 of the rest of us.

As for NGKs, I tried a set in my '72 Johnson 65hp when it wasn't running all that well on Champions. I cross referenced the plugs to insure the correct heat range, but was not impressed. The motor actually ran worse. I then did what I should have done in the first place, by paying a visit to my local OMC/BRP dealer. He told me to run nothing but Champion "J plugs" in old OMCs and he was right - I noticed an immediate improvement over both the NGKs and the Champion UL77V plugs that were originally specified.



???

 

[emckelvy]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

The advice regarding use of Champs in OMC products is well-given. These motors were designed to use Champion products (some, very specifically), and for the most part seem to run best with Champion plugs. I don't have any problems using something different in the older JohhnyRudes with points ign, but for elex ign's best to stick with Champs.

I've never bought plugs from a marine shop, the Ol' Reliable non-franchised Local Auto Parts Store has a better price, and they either have them in stock or can get them for me right away. 'Course now they've merged with NAPA but at least they still carry the spark plugs!

Funny thing is, newer Mercs do like the NGK's but then that's a Beast of another color entirely!

HTH...................ed

 

[seahorse5]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

IF you check with the official factory plug chart, the 88 (and most other cross-flow motors) can use the QL82C plug as well as the old time QL77JC4 one. The "82" gives better foul resistance, especially in the older higher-time motors.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/BRP/SparkPlugChart2008.pdf

OMC ignition systems require an inductive suppressor, NOT a resister like the "BR" series of NGK plugs. The "Z" series NGK's cost more than the equivelent Champions do. Here are some links about inductive suprressor type plugs.

http://www.championsparkplugs.com/glossary.asp?kw=Resistor&manID=2&pt=1

http://www.championsparkplugs.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Resistor&mfid=2

http://members.iinet.net.au/~pauldawson/iame26-spark-plugs.PDF

 

[surrender]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

I'm pretty sure Dhadley knows something about plugs, he builds these motors for racing if i'm not mistaken. He was just pokin fun, no need to get upset.

I apologize to all for my comment. Everyone here has always been very helpful and I was just having a bad morning. Going to go with the Champions.

 

[mark1961]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

Just to add a little more value to the debate (maybe).....

What is the opinion(s) of surface gap plugs in omc motors? I have an 82 60hp 2cyl Evinrude E60TLCNM, in the list seahorse5 posted it recommends either Champion L78V surface gap or QL77JC4 but i ended up fitting a pair of NGK BUHW-2 surface gap purely because they were easier to source. I have only ever run the motor with these plugs on muffs in the driveway at this stage and it seems to run fine but after reading through this thread im not so sure i should venture out with them. I would have no problem finding a set of Champions and swapping out if people here think i would be better off but should i go for the regular or surface gap?

Cheers.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

What is the opinion(s) of surface gap plugs in omc motors?

The original owners manual for my engine suggests surface gapped plugs for "sustained high speed use" (QL78V or L78V) but QL77J4 or L77J4 for "sustained low speed operation"

However the surface gapped ones are no longer recommended in current lists. They seem to have gone out of favour, but there may be some engines where you have to use them.

I suspect there is more to this Champion vs NGK argument that pure technical reasons!

NGK must be the most widely used plugs . There may be special cases but I find it hard to believe there is anything unique about OMC engines which make only Champion plugs suitable. The fact that other makes eg Autolite or AC were listed for some engine originally but now only Champions are listed makes me curious as to the reasons.

It has to be said though that the NGK Z plugs are relatively recent so for quite some time there was not a direct NGK equivalent to the Champion Q range. Using NGK R plugs could have lead to bad performance and a bad reputation for NGK plugs as a whole!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: NKG spark plugs for johnson 88?

I apologize to all for my comment. Everyone here has always been very helpful and I was just having a bad morning. Going to go with the Champions.

We all have our bad mornings / days etc.
I am sure the apology will be accepted all around.
Remember, everyone is trying to help here.
Enjoy your champion plugs !!!