old spark plugs could be disassembled

[Rick in PA]

A friend at work brought in an old spark plug. I think it was from a Model T, it was interesting. The threads were standard tapered pipe thread and the plug could be disassembled for service. They serviced everything back in those days. Here's an image of a similar plug:

#2 is a copper seal that goes between the porcelain and the threaded shell.

#4 threads into the shell to compress the porcelain against the threaded shell.

I wasn't aware that the center electrode was removable, but there it is in the picture.

 

[Chris142]

I have one somewhere

 

[Shannow]

Same here.

I think I've even got one with a bakelite type insulator.

 

[46Harry]

I have several of the old style take apart spark plugs. The engines from the teens, 20's and thirties ran rich, used oil and fouled plugs regularly which is the reason for plugs that could be disassembled for cleaning. The average car owner did their own maintenance and cleaning spark plugs was one of the maintenance items like cleaning the points, cleaning the oil bath air cleaner and cleaning the oil breather cap along with a grease job and oil change which was about every 1000 miles.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: 46Harry
I have several of the old style take apart spark plugs. The engines from the teens, 20's and thirties ran rich, used oil and fouled plugs regularly which is the reason for plugs that could be disassembled for cleaning. The average car owner did their own maintenance and cleaning spark plugs was one of the maintenance items like cleaning the points, cleaning the oil bath air cleaner and cleaning the oil breather cap along with a grease job and oil change which was about every 1000 miles.
the grease job was turning the cap down to push more grease down into the bushing

 

[eljefino]

You can still get handmade plugs today...

 

[Kestas]

The whole trend over the decades has been from part repairers to part changers.

 

[TFB1]

I have one that's more recent branded Champion & Harley Davidson... Requires a special tool for dissambly(upper section is recessed) and uses a crush washer for seal...

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: 46Harry
I have several of the old style take apart spark plugs. The engines from the teens, 20's and thirties ran rich, used oil and fouled plugs regularly which is the reason for plugs that could be disassembled for cleaning. The average car owner did their own maintenance and cleaning spark plugs was one of the maintenance items like cleaning the points, cleaning the oil bath air cleaner and cleaning the oil breather cap along with a grease job and oil change which was about every 1000 miles.


And if you read some of the old owners manuals, it is almost comical. If there was a problem with the car, it was the owners fault. lol

And do not forget in the old days you had to maintain your wooden wheels too. Keep the wood from shrinking and cracking.