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What spark plugs on my 1916 48B? Are the same kind for mag and bat?
What gap for mag and bat? I heard they are differently gapped.
Also points and mag parts to carry for spares? Best place to get them?
Thanks, Bill
I can’t resist…… 
Where do you get “Park Plugs”, I would like to try a set!
Al
Alan, these are used when the car is not being driven. They are quite rare since most Pierce Arrow cars start and run well.
However on this message board, you cannot edit your own posts.
Bill,
How you edit your post is to COPY YOUR TEXT, DELETE THE POSTING and then RE-POST it!
I have done that many times and just did it again with this reply.
HA!
Peter
Bill, Thanks for allowing a bit of “humor” on your posting. I sure do need several sets of “Park” plugs as I have a few cars that are doing quite well parked….sadly!
Al
PS: I also have had to delete my postings to correct something I missing on a proof read, then re-post.
Bill, If any information comes up, I am also interested in your original question about eh differences between magneto and distributor spark plugs. I actually think that there must be a compromise to allow for a Dual magneto to run on a coil/points to start then switch to magneto for running.
Al
Al, my 48B has a setting for M MB and B. I had been running it on “M” setting and it was having problems. I went to MB (Mag and Bat) and it is running perfectly. I suspect that the mag has a problem. I know the mag has a higher spark than bat. I think the gap is different between these plugs and may also be different plugs. Apparently, the mag gap may be more critical and have been suggested that I get Autolite with platinum, being less to burn up the plugs.
It figures that a Pierce needs platinum!
Also, there are different heat ranges for the plugs as needed.
If I come up with something, will report back. Maybe George or David may chime in.
BTW The copy, delete and repost is a great idea!
Bill,
You are just getting up to speed with the Message Board.
In a few months you will be a Pierce-Arrow Message Board Professional!
However, please note that even the Pros make OOPS, Errors!
BTW, have you contacted any of the other PAS 48B owners via email?
You can look them up in the roster and send them email with the questions (Teebay).
We Gents who own only “newer”” P-A cars (20s & 30s) likely no nothing about Magneto functioning.
Peter”
Bill,
I am not that familiar with setting the mag up on these cars, but the owners manual has a good section on it. Go to the “Library” tab on the left of the PAS home page and then type in the year and model of your car. The owner’s manual is available as a pdf download. I don’t know if yours is a Series 3 or 4 car, but the Series 48 B 4 manual is a much clearer scan and easier to read. The manual does not mention different spark plugs or gap for each system, but does give different timing for mag vs. battery. As far as talking to someone that knows these systems, George Teebay would be my recommendation. I hope this helps you out.
How’s the new building coming?
Dave
Bill,
In my 1915 Pierce Arrow C-3 I am using the Champion W-18 and this is what most people with Series 3 and earlier Pierce Arrows are using as these cars have a trembler coil with commutator ignition along with the Bosch magneto.I believe the Series 4,Series 5 and Series 31-51 may take a 7/8 Regular which in an available plug at a parts house would be a Champion W-16Y.I have the parts books for Series 2,Series 3 and Series 4 and there is a plug difference when it comes to Series 4.Some of the Series 4 owners could advise on what they are using.Both the Champion W-18 and W-16Y should be available from any auto parts suppliers as these plugs have industrial applications.
Sorry I’m late to this party.
Please note that Bill Marsh’s car is a 48-B-4 single valve without detachable heads, and my 1918 is a 48-B-5 with detachable heads and dual valve (four valves per cylinder, so my experience may not transfer directly to single-valve cars.
The PAS Wiring and Tuneup Guide, with reproduced service info of the day, shows spark plug gaps of 0.018 (!!!!) for both 48-B-4 and 48-B-5. (I suspect that the very narrow gap was for the poor-quality gasoline of that time, and appears to have been carried over from the Series 1, 2, and 3 cars [1913-1915] cars equipped with the earlier ignition system that Bill Scorah described.) The Series 5 Owners Manual calls for 0.025, which is what I use.
When I acquired my car, it had new Champion W-14 plugs (coldest range of the W-series available, hottest is W-20) on the intake side, and Autolite #3076 on the exhaust side. I found the W-14s to be too cold, and changed to the 3076s, which were also too cold–on the intake side only, acceptable on the exhaust side. I then changed to W-18s for the intake side. Even those need some highway miles to keep from sooting up.
A PAS member who had a fourth series car says AC77 spark plugs work fine if you can find them. Some years back, AC would make them on special order at a reasonable price, however, 48 need to be ordered.
Gents,
Here is a Spark Plug conversion table.
Peter
http://www.sparkplug-crossreference.com/convert/AC_DELCO/C77