OE Autolite spark plugs

[Karguy]

Which Autolite spark plug would have come in an early 66 gt350 (289 hipo) from San Jose? Doubtful, but did SA change the Ford (Autolite) OE plugs?  I'm fairly certain they were the star style plugs but not sure what the heat range was.  I've seen the star style Autolites in a silver color plug,  is that the original style, or would it be black steel coating? How important is an item like a spark plug in Concourse division two?
Thanks very much as always, Karl

[Bob Gaines]

Which Autolite spark plug would have come in an early 66 gt350 (289 hipo) from San Jose? Doubtful, but did SA change the Ford (Autolite) OE plugs?  I'm fairly certain they were the star style plugs but not sure what the heat range was.  I've seen the star style Autolites in a silver color plug,  is that the original style, or would it be black steel coating? How important is an item like a spark plug in Concourse division two?
Thanks very much as always, Karl

BF 32 star marked Autolite plug is what was used from the factory. The finish was like a gun blueing look.A small deduction may be noted if a judge catches it. On a very well done car something like this stands out more. Not so much on a car with with many mistakes.

[BGlover67]

Bob,  do you mean for Thoroughbred Div I only?  That wouldn't apply for Div II?

[J_Speegle]

A small deduction may be noted if a judge catches it. On a very well done car something like this stands out more. Not so much on a car with with many mistakes.

Or another way to explain it is that a car with many things that need correcting the judges have run out of room to notate the observation or are tired of deducting points and have chosen to focus on the bigger details this time around

[Karguy]

Got it, thank you gentlemen, always appreciate the help. Karl

[Bob Gaines]

Bob,  do you mean for Thoroughbred Div I only?  That wouldn't apply for Div II?

The Autolite plug should have a star marking on it in the same way we expect the Goodyear tire to have bluestreak marking on the otherwise correct size tire in DIV II. There are good reproductions of the tires that can be used in DIV II but not any reproductions of the star sparkplugs that I'm aware of. The tires are in your face so they are hard to miss. Not so much with the sparkplugs covered by the sparkplug wire boots .     

[Bob Gaines]

Bob,  do you mean for Thoroughbred Div I only?  That wouldn't apply for Div II?

I suppose another example is that a CAR bure TER  fuel pump with a button top is expected in DIV II vs Carter marked fuelpump without the button top. There are other examples.

[Karguy]

Bob, that certainly makes a lot of sense from a judging point of view, thanks. Will a judge in Division 2 ever request that the owner pull a spark plug boot or remove the air filter to check dates on the carburetor? Will they look at the points and condenser to see if they are Autolite etc.?  I assume that these items would only matter in division one, does that sound correct?

[Bob Gaines]

Bob, that certainly makes a lot of sense from a judging point of view, thanks. Will a judge in Division 2 ever request that the owner pull a spark plug boot or remove the air filter to check dates on the carburetor? Will they look at the points and condenser to see if they are Autolite etc.?  I assume that these items would only matter in division one, does that sound correct?

It depends on the judge. The plugs you can typically see the star under the boot one at least depending on how the plug is clocked so I have never thought or needed to ask. We can see  the detail needed to judge the carb with the air cleaner on at least for 65-68. Since date codes are not relevant in DIV II that issue should not be a concern .  Asking to have the air cleaner removed is one of the most common things in that regard to have done. You are not obligated to remove it. Most comply if requested to. If you don't it just comes off as you wanting to hide something. Given that most entrants are proud of their cars condition (reason entered in concours) the request is seldom if ever turned down. I have never considered to ask someone to remove a distributor cap in DIV I or DIV II . A set of good Ford OEM points , appropriate looking OEM condenser , and appropriate looking black Ford OEM rotor should be under the cap of a DIV II car. Only original assemblyline type items used for the DIV I car.  If I ever find a car that is that close to perfection I may have to re consider asking to look under the cap.   

[GT350Lad]

Good info Bob and others. I think I am aiming for Division II. Been a lengthy project.
Cheers

[Karguy]

 Thanks Bob, the help is much appreciated. I promise the day will come when I sort through the majority of all these things and will not have to ask a million questions.
Karl

[acman63]

Bob, that certainly makes a lot of sense from a judging point of view, thanks. Will a judge in Division 2 ever request that the owner pull a spark plug boot or remove the air filter to check dates on the carburetor? Will they look at the points and condenser to see if they are Autolite etc.?  I assume that these items would only matter in division one, does that sound correct?

A judge should never ask an owner to pull a plug boot to check.  If they do ask  , politely decline to do so.  Judges arent allowed to touch cars or parts during the judging process in  judging of Concours, unrestored and Premiere Classes.  If you cant see something during the normal judging process then the car gets the benefit of the doubt

[GT350Lad]

Good to know Jim. Thanks