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Mopar Garage => Engine, Transmission, Rearend, & Exhaust => Topic started by: johnnycharger on April 16, 2022, 08:01:03 PM

Title: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 16, 2022, 08:01:03 PM
 :shruggy:
Hi all,
I purchased a 72 Challenger with a 440 in it. It was originally a 318 car. I do not know where they sourced the 440. I researched what NGK plugs to buy and  everything I saw said to use the XR5 332. I bought them and installed them on the driver's side just fine. On the passenger side none of them want to start in. I notice the AC delcos that I removed are R43TS seem to be quite skinnier. This is my first 440 and need some help getting this sorted.
Thanks!
John
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: 70 sublime on April 16, 2022, 08:22:31 PM
Are there two different heads on the engine ??
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 16, 2022, 08:31:54 PM
I hope not. They look like old stock iron heads that have been painted.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 16, 2022, 08:42:19 PM
Pics
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 16, 2022, 08:43:25 PM
Pics 2
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 16, 2022, 08:44:59 PM
They won't even begin to thread even though the threads look the same as what came out. The Delco plugs are definitely skinnier.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 16, 2022, 08:49:34 PM
The NGKs went in fine on the drivers side but not the passenger side.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: metallicareload99 on April 16, 2022, 11:01:20 PM
Quote from: 70 sublime on April 16, 2022, 08:22:31 PM
Are there two different heads on the engine ??

:iagree:

Wow, looks like you got two different heads on one engine. I've heard that some cylinder heads did take the tapered seat plugs like you got on the left, but this is the first time I've seen em :-\
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 17, 2022, 12:16:59 AM
In my opinion,  the heads look the same.  Am I missing something?
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: metallicareload99 on April 17, 2022, 12:22:25 AM
Quote from: johnnycharger on April 17, 2022, 12:16:59 AM
In my opinion,  the heads look the same.  Am I missing something?

Be that as it may, there are two different sealing methods going between your two heads :-\ The spark plugs themselfs give that away
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 17, 2022, 12:25:24 AM
The delcos on the left were installed on both sides. The ngks on the right are what I am trying to install. 
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: Nacho-RT74 on April 17, 2022, 01:58:38 AM
Casting number is visible just removing the valve covers.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 17, 2022, 08:55:17 AM
Ok. Thank you. I will order some valve cover gaskets and then pull the valve covers in a few days and provide an update.
Any recommendations for good rubber gaskets that don't leak?
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: DownZero on April 17, 2022, 09:17:27 AM
You can not replace a "taper" seal spark plug with a "washer" seal one. Realy should be using Champion plugs on a mopar anyway.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: John_Kunkel on April 18, 2022, 01:34:31 PM
Compare your taper seat spark plug holes to the pic below for plugs with gaskets. Notice the flat surface around the holes for the gasket to seat on.

Taper seat plugs will go into gasket seat holes but not necessarily vice-versa because the gasket will contact the head before the plug threads meet the threads in the hole.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: Nacho-RT74 on April 18, 2022, 02:03:41 PM
hence would be nice to find out the heads casting numbers... if any. I never have seen an oldy V8 Mopar using 5/8" socket spark plugs from factory, but 13/16" socket spark plugs
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: Nacho-RT74 on April 18, 2022, 03:59:35 PM
just found this... 452 taking tappered plugs are for RV and industrial heads.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/440-spark-plug-type.161006/

https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/rv-452-heads-spark-plugs.342712/

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1110684/re-weird-cylinder-heads-on-440-spark-plug-wont-fit.html

Passenger 452s use the regular washer plugs.

Mostly sure the full engine came out from some RV/industrial donor


Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: ACUDANUT on April 19, 2022, 09:23:22 AM
I would pull the heads and really look at them. Chances are you have one RV head.

Would also be a good chance to see the pistons and bore condition. Just do it !!
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 19, 2022, 07:13:03 PM
Quote from: Nacho-RT74 on April 18, 2022, 02:03:41 PM
hence would be nice to find out the heads casting numbers... if any. I never have seen an oldy V8 Mopar using 5/8" socket spark plugs from factory, but 13/16" socket spark plugs


Driver's side valve cover is off. I believe this is the casting number I am looking for.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 19, 2022, 07:29:09 PM
On the passenger side it is the same stamping.

Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: Nacho-RT74 on April 20, 2022, 01:50:52 PM
well.... it doesn't say is for RV...

https://www.mopar1.us/headcastnumber.html

however...

and to add more mistery... these with same CN are machined to spark plugs with washers:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284684491767?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item4248849bf7:g:uZIAAOSwqQtiI7lG&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAAA4NIQ0UYg%2FppJRqMwypxaJXAVVjPKdfMcoj16Dc1qgqbkKzyRnPV%2BKpBdSNq6EpVC08OPaTj1nvme3U9wVNrhVp6LbHrmUtAjsf9WLYwzXdU7%2FGt22DCi7owCIuUzxECDCRidZolYNfzfIu3q3FXMi3pYOCm%2BTtduXPdYcrMkTWKAVAUiQoWXq5Rs5Q7e1Q64pfCpDAGrBWtiTvd0YVoKyMsGYNYpnPwuhwaSS1Rf0KRwVr8U5Qb9Eqdc6sNMxcD2HLuQBeh0EqFcN5xEcI%2BKjq%2BBZ5c%2BAep7cOo9exVWxl9m%7Ctkp%3ABFBMjIeihYlg

and I even think the original heads on my 74 are also 902... and they take RJ ( champion code ) spark plugs
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 20, 2022, 01:58:26 PM
Thank you all for the help with this. This one is a bit of a mystery!
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 23, 2022, 12:46:25 PM
Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: ACUDANUT on April 23, 2022, 03:56:48 PM
Not sure, but i Never heard of heads ever stamped RV
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: Nacho-RT74 on April 24, 2022, 01:38:43 AM
I remember reading on some heads the word TRUCK on them, but can't recall if they were BB or SB. It was at an old Mopar parts dealer.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: ACUDANUT on April 25, 2022, 01:13:40 PM
Quote from: ACUDANUT on April 19, 2022, 09:23:22 AM
I would pull the heads and really look at them. Chances are you have one RV head.

Would also be a good chance to see the pistons and bore condition. Just do it !!
x2
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: metallicareload99 on April 25, 2022, 04:48:55 PM
Quote from: johnnycharger on April 23, 2022, 12:46:25 PM
Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.

NGK UR5, 2771, seems most similar to the XR5 you were going to use :shruggy:
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 26, 2022, 09:13:55 PM
Thank you!
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 26, 2022, 09:14:40 PM
Quote from: ACUDANUT on April 25, 2022, 01:13:40 PM
Quote from: ACUDANUT on April 19, 2022, 09:23:22 AM
I would pull the heads and really look at them. Chances are you have one RV head.

Would also be a good chance to see the pistons and bore condition. Just do it !!
x2


Thank you but I am not ready to pull the heads just yet.
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: johnnycharger on April 26, 2022, 09:15:18 PM
Quote from: metallicareload99 on April 25, 2022, 04:48:55 PM
Quote from: johnnycharger on April 23, 2022, 12:46:25 PM
Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.

NGK UR5, 2771, seems most similar to the XR5 you were going to use :shruggy:

Thank you!
Title: Re: Picked up a 72 Challenger w/440. Having some plug difficulty.
Post by: metallicareload99 on April 27, 2022, 12:25:24 AM
Quote from: johnnycharger on April 26, 2022, 09:15:18 PM
Quote from: metallicareload99 on April 25, 2022, 04:48:55 PM
Quote from: johnnycharger on April 23, 2022, 12:46:25 PM
Got the Moroso silicon gaskets. Now I just need to determine the best ngk non washer plugs for this.

NGK UR5, 2771, seems most similar to the XR5 you were going to use :shruggy:

Thank you!

No prob :2thumbs: let us know how it turns out!