[DeTomaso] Fouled Spark Plugs

[Will Kooiman]

I fouled another set of spark plugs, and got stranded - again.  I love AAA
and flat beds.  Not really, but it sure beats walking.  From now on, I'm
carrying a spare set of plugs with me.

 

So, the question of the night is, "Why are my plugs fouling?"

 

I have:

Autolite 3926's, gapped at 0.045

MSD 6AL (6-7 years old)

MSD ready-to-run dist no-vac advance (new)

MSD blaster-2 coil (2-3 years old)

MSD plug wires (new)

11:1 comp

Aluminum heads

CompCams 294S

Holley

 

Could the MSD be bad?  I always thought MSD ignitions were overkill.  If I'm
fouling plugs with an MSD, surely it would be worse w/out MSD - right?

 

I have a brand new 6AL that I can swap out to see if it is more reliable
than the current MSD.

 

Are 3926's too cold?  The previous set of plugs were 3923's.

 

Is 0.045 too wide?

 

The carb is slightly rich, but not too bad.

 

It runs really strong, but I need it to be more reliable than this.  I was
driving from Dallas back to Houston when it just stopped running.  I
verified that it has gas, power to the MSD, spark (from timing light),
timing is where I left it.  I replaced 3 plugs with some old plugs I had in
the garage.  It hit a little bit, but wouldn't start.  I'm sure if I
replaced all 8 with new plugs that it'll start right up.

 

On a possibly related note, my tail lights and brake lights went out.  It
might be related to my emergency flashers, though.

 

One more thing - this engine runs hotter than the last.  I don't have my
fans hooked up.  If I go less than about 40mph, it overheats.  As I was
leaving Dallas, the temp got to about 230deg.  Surely the hot temps didn't
hurt the plugs.  And yes, I plan on hooking up the fans this weekend.  That
is, of course, after I fix the issue with the plugs.