Spark plugs

1 believe it's 14 mm.

Wrench size will depend on what's in there and gap is usually .028". If your ignition produces a substatially stronger spark you can gap a little bigger.

 Hey thanks for the information !

So as Al said it depends on the cylinder head used.  OEM VW was 14mm plugs (with 1/2 inch or 3/4" tips) but many new aftermarket heads use the smaller plugs that are 12mm (with 1/2 inch or 3/4" tips).  The 12mm heads are less likely to crack at the plug threads. Be sure to get the right length tip plugs.

When you find the appropriate spark plug socket there are a couple of things you can do to make removing and installing plugs easier. With a spark plug (out of the head) note how far it goes into the socket. My Craftsman socket had a little rubber thingy to hold the spark plug in place and I shortened both socket and rubber thingy 1/2", then ground the top of the socket around the edge to make it easier to slip past the intake manifolds. Along with the wobble socket I've talked about before it makes changing plugs (and removing/installing intake manifolds if you also modify the appropriate socket) much easier.

If I get time- pics later. Al 

I use a magnetic spark plug socket, rather than one with the rubber insert to grab the plug.  I know Craftsman used to sell them, and I've seen them at NAPA and O'Reilly's, too, or you can google search "magnetic spark plug socket"

"Gear Wrench" has a bunch of them in different sizes AND with wobble extensions.

Here's a pic of a 5/8" shorter vs unmodified Craftsman 13/16"  spark plug socket; as well as a 12, 13, 14 and 15 mm socket, all shortened/ground on over the years. The wobble joint (Mac Tools part # X1EW F3) is on the end. I didn't need to round the top of the plug socket. If you find you need to shorten the top of a spark plug socket, fit a spark plug in so you see how high it rides so you don't whack off the top and then the drive won't go in far enough!

The 12 mm socket was originally for IDF intake manifolds, the 15 is for head nuts- it was easier to modify a socket to be able to get the 2 middle on the top row torqued up, as there wasn't much room because of the welding on top of the intake ports iIrc. The 13 and 14- who knows?

Still having clearance problems after shortening a socket- you could take 1/8 or even 1/4" off the top drive end (just remember above if it's a spark plug socket). And there's no reason you can't grind the crap out of the top as well if it helps get it where it has to go (as I have done on a couple in the pic). And for removing/installing dual carb intake manifolds and plugs that wobble joint is a must have!

Hope this helps. Al

Gordon Nichols posted:

I use a magnetic spark plug socket, rather than one with the rubber insert to grab the plug.  I know Craftsman used to sell them, and I've seen them at NAPA and O'Reilly's, too, or you can google search "magnetic spark plug socket"

"Gear Wrench" has a bunch of them in different sizes AND with wobble extensions.

Or, you could magnetize a normal one with your homemade magnetizer you made a while ago.

Actually, that's what I have done, but I found the other ones at auto parts stores and thought other people, who don't have Five Cent Racing's  "Super-Magnetron 5000", could get one of those instead.

Admittedly, the Magnetron 5000 is quite a bit of overkill, but I'm working on a new version for Gus, my next-door neighbor, the "Magnetron 1000-and-a-half", made from the motor of a paper shredder that he trashed.  About 1/4 the size of the "5000" version, so he can do screw-drivers but no ratchet extensions or medium wrenches.  I was afraid he would have tools stuck all over his racing motorcycles and blame me!

 What a day!   finally got all fours or plugs out!  my speedster has an air conditioning compressor right over the number four plug,  had to use use a shower valve wrench to get that one out!   this car had 150 miles on it when I bought it it’s got about 5000 miles on it now,  when I pulled out the number four plug a Heli coil came out with it,  so apparently when the engine was being build they cross threaded the number four!   I cleaned it up as best I could put it back in with red Loctite anybody know where I can find some 16 x 1.75 Heli coil ?   

NAPA should have them, or at least point you to an engine rebuilder in your area.

Wait a minute - That heli-coil thread you're looking for sounds all wrong.  It should be either a 12mm X 1.25, or a 14mm X 1.25, or an 18mm X 1.25, none of which are what you asked for (unless you're measuring the outside of the coil).  I would expect it to be either the 12mm or 14mm size.

NAPA has them, along with taps (if needed) and an insert tool that'll last forever.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/...;fullyQualified=true

 Hey Gordy thank you so much for the info !!!!

 My speedster was built in 2017 and has the 1915 cc engine what is the most accurate tech manual I can find for this engine I have a 1970 Volkswagen tack manual but it doesn’t cover a lot of the specs for this new engine, thanks !

Geezer posted:

 My speedster was built in 2017 and has the 1915 cc engine what is the most accurate tech manual I can find for this engine I have a 1970 Volkswagen tack manual but it doesn’t cover a lot of the specs for this new engine, thanks !

You're not going to find a manual specifically for your rebuilt engine with dual carbs and different distributor. For the most part treat it like a 1600 (for valve adjustment, torque values and general build specs). Carburetor adjustment will be specific to what carburetors you have and timing will be about 28-30° at 3,000-3500 rpm depending on the distributor.

Hope this helps. Al

 Thank you very much !

If the 1915 engine was built by Pat at CB Performance, It's got a zero lash on it...which is what they told me when I had it in the car.

Just an aside; I really love my Subaru engine. It's great getting in and having it start immediately and the exhaust note grows hair on my chest just listening to it.  The performance is spectacular.!

Meade

So that was you I met the other day while I was in Marietta. Georgia  

I was out and about and saw this hairy dude driving a Speedster. He stopped to get gas so I and talked with him for a while. Had a grin on his face that told a story of pure excitement.  Forgot to introduce myself and completely forgot to get his name.

You probably remembered me taking your photo though?!!

Wait.. @Meade is the one leaving foot and hand prints all over @David Stroud IM Roadster D's trailer??