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M20B, Lycoming O360AID fine wire spark plugs

rockydoc
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isaacpr7 Proficient

isaacpr7

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I just recently changed all the plugs in my O360-A1D and did lots of research. I found that Tempest plugs offered me the best bang for the buck. I chose massives over finewires because they were more economic and I don't have a problem with plug fouling. Leaning on the ground will help you avoid fouled plugs; however, if you still have fouling problems I would recommend buying finewires. They run hotter than massives, which is why it helps prevent plug fouling. If your cylinders tend to run on the upper range, then I would opt to go for the massives in order to keep the temperatures down.

 

Below is a link for the massives for the O360-A1D: (Only 23 bucks each. Finewires will be around 69 each but still way more economical than other brands)

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/ep/sparkplugs_0ctempest_1massive/temptestplugs1.php

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MooneyBob Mentor

MooneyBob

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I have replaced my plugs with Tempest Finewire ones. I don't know the part number for your engine. You can find it out on the Tempest website.

My engine ran pretty rough while taxiing and sometimes misfired specially during taxiing. Yes, I lean aggressively. Hot start of the engine was almost impossible and embarrassing after every refueling.

My engine runs very smooth now in the 800 - 1200 RPM range with any leaning setting. No problems during taxiing at all. Cold start is 1/4 of the prop turn. Instant.

For the hot start I follow the procedure that some members described here on the forum.

I shut the engine off with the throttle in the 1200 RPM position by cutting the mixture off. Then I don't touch anything ( no boost pump, no mixture, throttle at the 1200 RPM - last position) and I just crank the starter. It takes few turns but the engine smoothly starts and runs at 1200 RPM right away. I very pleased with the Tempest Finewire plugs.

Some people suggested that you can get the same results with the new massive plugs too but I am pretty happy with the Finewire.

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rockydoc Community Regular

rockydoc

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Tempest UREM38S. Changed mine at annual and have found that I can lean a bit more aggressively ( I have been getting around .25-.5 gph better than massives ). I have a 61B with O360-A1D and couldn't be happier. Good luck!

thanks for the info.  It is exactly what I needed.

Rocky

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MB65E Grand Master

MB65E

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I still like Tempest 37BY's they have the massive electrode but with conventional style "lawn mower" firing points. Their Awesome! I've run them in parallel valve and Angle valve Lycomings

Also, I can run an easy 30lop some cylinders hang on until 60lop. (Bendix, 25* timing, ram air)

-Matt

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  • 4 months later...
stevesm20b Proficient

stevesm20b

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Has anyone compared the Tempest fine wire UREM-38s to the Tempest extended tip massive UREM-37BY. Big difference in price. $72 for the 38S and $23 for the 37BY. Thinking about replacing plugs in my O-360A1D. It has the Tempest UREM-40E now. Don't know if the fine wire plugs are worth the extra money over the 37BYs.

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BigTex Mentor

BigTex

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Has anyone compared the Tempest fine wire UREM-38s to the Tempest extended tip massive UREM-37BY. Big difference in price. $72 for the 38S and $23 for the 37BY. Thinking about replacing plugs in my O-360A1D. It has the Tempest UREM-40E now. Don't know if the fine wire plugs are worth the extra money over the 37BYs.

For me it was absolutely one of the best investments I've made. My plane has never run better.

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Andy95W Grand Master

Andy95W

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Has anyone compared the Tempest fine wire UREM-38s to the Tempest extended tip massive UREM-37BY. Big difference in price. $72 for the 38S and $23 for the 37BY. Thinking about replacing plugs in my O-360A1D. It has the Tempest UREM-40E now. Don't know if the fine wire plugs are worth the extra money over the 37BYs.

If price is an issue, try replacing only the bottom plugs. This will eliminate 95% of your lead and oil fouling. After that, maybe replace one per year until all done?

Thiat is what I did and have been very happy thus far.

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carusoam Grand Master

carusoam

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Is there a plug that best handles or eliminates the lead BBs that form in the bottom plugs?

My O360A1D was known to manufacture BBs just prior to it's annual.

Anyone ever pull the lower plugs to empty BBs out prior to Annual?

I averaged about 100hrs per year. Never had a problem caused by the BBs. Just wasn't comfortable knowing they would form and collect in the bottom plugs...

Best regards,

-a-

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philiplane Mentor

philiplane

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Tempest fine wire plugs virtually eliminate the lead fouling issue. Team them with Bendix mags and your problems are gone. If you still have an issue, your idle mixture is set too rich.

 

Most lead fouling problems have been a result of Champion spark plugs with high internal resistance. People keep cleaning them and use the ridiculously overpowered bench test to declare them "good to go". Then they run like crap in the plane after a few hours, and people blame the lead in the gas rather than the crappy spark plug.

 

Champion has denied this problem for years. Yet suddenly and with no fan fare they changed their internal resistor design to a copy of Tempest's a few months ago. There is no news about this. They simply removed all evidence of the old carbon pile spring loaded resistor from their site, and replace it with a description of the fired-in resistor. It's not noted as a product improvement, or new and improved. If you didn't know better you would assume they've always been made that way.

 

The higher efficiency and lower maintenance, plus the extreme longevity of fine wires make them the best value. They pay for the difference over massives in fuel savings alone in 300-400 hours since you can lean about 1/2 to 1 GPH better with them versus a massive electrode plug. You can see some studies on this by RAM Aircraft. Fine wires generally last about 2000-2500 hours. Massives last about 800-1200 hours if they are carefully rotated to even the wear between negative and positive firing pulses.

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Hank Grand Master

Hank

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I ran my tempest plugs 250 hours and now they are in Openskies flier's 201, probably 400 hours on them. How do they look and run, Jim?

Byron's quite the supplier. Just took his (former) massives out for a night flight with the wife. Still running great! Still getting used to the flatness down here, but at least the heat has broken now that we are five weeks into College Football.

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