I was sure I would find this by searching the archives, but I didn't... What's the best spark plugs to run in a 350? Any special ones or just stock? I will be needing to get a few extras to properly adjust the jetting, and want to make sure I am getting the best ones for my time.

Thanks
Smash

Run what ever the manual specifies for your Engine and condition, their still is no spark plug better on the market that will perform noticeably better or last longer than the plugs Honda wants you to run.

Most just throw in a BR8ES and run it, I would start with the recommended plug and go from their, see how fast the deposits build up then adjust the heat range based on your plugs actual conditions.

Wow, I have the first disappointment with this 350. I took out the plug to inspect it, and it was VERY tight all the way out. I kept my hopes high, but my worst was affirmed. The head has been cross threaded.

But here are pics of the plug, and tell me what you think of the threads on it. I suspect you are going to all say, pull the head, run a tap through to clean it up, and don't worry too much about it, but pulling the head is a big deal for me right now, kinda digging myself a hole since I bought a 250, spent $500 on it to get it fixed up, still doesn't idle so not selling it until it does, and then I bought this 350... :(

This plug is from running about 15 minutes, and the last thing I did was about a 400 ft run WOT (Wide Open Throttle) killing the Engine and coasting in.

Thoughts?

Threads on the plug don't look good!

Worse comes to worse remove the head and repair the threads, I suggest using a insert over using a helicoil because of the heat.

You might get lucky and just use a tap to clean it up but like any other damaged threads you have to take each one on a case by case basis.

Ok, Why do the ATV gods hate me lately?

So not only do i find out the spark plug threads are buggered, if I wanted to pull the head I need a gasket. So I head over to the only parts supply I know, Randy, and all I get are pics of dogs (very good looking GSD's I might add... reminds me of my girl).

So, replacement head gaskets, any ideas?

Smash

Service Honda http://www.servicehonda.com/hard%20part ... s_old.html
Toll Free Call 800-828-5498

For just a head gasket maybe your local Honda dealer, I think service Honda has a 9.00 handling charge??

You have a service manual? Look in the manual they show you how to check the head to see if its flat.

Take some detail pics of the head and piston so we can see the burn pattern (piston wash)

All of the local dealers suck around here. Either they haven't been in business long enough, just plain suck, or they lost all of their old inventory 5 years ago in a fire...

And of all of them, I have asked if they know what an odyssey is, and they look at me blankly. Kind of like when you ask an infant to explain quantum physics. They smile and make some cooing noises... That's about it, even after I explain what it is.

Maybe I am just going to the wrong places...

I'll yank the head off as soon as I get a new gasket... to be continued soon.

You can, if you are careful, install a spark plug insert without pulling the head. It is done all the time on boats and cars where pulling the head is not an option. If removing the head on the ody scares you, yes you can repair it on the machine. Being that it is extremly easy to remove that head and reinstall, take the chance and remove it. If you are on that tight of a budget, you could reuse the headgasket. Right now your spark plug shows that you are running rich. Throttle response maybe suffering a little along with peak power, but your reliability will be good. Once you repair the spark plug threads, you will want to recheck your plug, just like you previously did. The insert can throw your tune off because it will not dissipate the heat of the plug as quick as the aluminum head did. Not a big deal though with a single cylinder Engine.

Part number is 12254-VM0-013 according to the Service Honda site. GASKET, CYL HD $ 15.21 you might take the part number with you so the parts flunkie don't have to look it up, I doubt they will have it in stock most shops don't stock Pilot Odyssey parts.

Yeah, Im not scared of taking it off, just it is inconvenient. I guess I should get used to that on a machine that is 22 years old and was built for what, 1 year or 2?

I'll pull the head to do it, what are the chances the head gasket can be reused? It was rebuilt not that long back.

I never tried to reuse a head gasket on the 350 you can always try, I don't even remember if their is a coating on them, you have nothing to lose they are easy enough to change, you will need to keep an eye on it to make sure its not leaking.

You will not have a problem reusing the gasket. The worst that could possibly happen is a compression leak will be heard with it running. You can buy a top end gasket kit on ebay by cometic for $21.95 vs the honda head gasket only for $20.

That is totally my fault. I have a brand new BR9ES spark plug I was going to use to replace when I did the rebuild and I didn't, I never took that one out. Reason being, when I bought the ody the guy that sold it to me told me he just replaced it that day. When I took the Engine apart because of the melt down, sure enough looked brand new so I never changed it. I hadn't run it long enough to get it broken in to do the plug chops (in my opinion).

I will find a head and have it sent to you or I will pay to have that one fixed, you let me know what you want to do.

BTW, the head gasket on those are multi-layer and do not have any glue on them, I have heard several people say they are reusable as long as you don't butcher them trying to pry the head off...

Also, believe it or not the fuel line was put on after the rebuild and are suppose to harden up after a while. What I was told is they are ment to conform to the angles and harden to stay that way (got it at a John Deere store). They never leaked fuel so I didn't think anything about it.

Stand up Guy!!!

Custom,

I have a head, Really Really cheap.

TD

Oh, I might be disappointed that the head has a fault, but I can't complain one bit about my dealings with KustomDreamz. He made me feel very comfortable sending the cash before the Ody was shipped, and continues to do so now that the deal is over.

TD, is it is newer head with the angled fins? Is it flat? are the threads stripped out? Like what shape is it really in?

Thanks
Smash

Angled Fins,Flat,Threads Fine,It's a good head.
TD

Got the head last night. It looks great so far. I'll drop it on Sunday I think if everything goes according to plans.

Thank you very much, this is why I don't frequent other boards, its just too nice here.

Smash,

Glad you got it and Glad to help.

TD

You could have pulled the jug with the head on it and then done repair and just replace the cheap base gasket. The plug you tested looked a little fat on top but better fat then dead. The 9 is a cloder heat range and may not claen out at WOT (Wide Open Throttle) at your present jetting setting wich will need to be jetted down acually running leaner. Read up on heat ranges and like "H" said check your manual, if stock head and non ported for proper heat range then test. Good thing to do since yor already fat is to reapir head then do another plug chop( remember not to pull and install while head is hot let set for a little while before removing an reinstalling as not to damage the new fix) with the 8 than the 9 and compare the soot and the soot strenght on the electrode. If you can take pics and keep for reference or just put in plug holders for future reference. Mean while ask "H" were to find reading and pics on plugs. I for one like a tan color with a clean burn on the tip. Mine had been modified so it likes a 7 which is hot and is not recomended for an air cooled and some water cooled motors . Good luck