spark plugs and wiring

[califkid_66]

started the europa first time this year it’s running a little rough my spark plug wires are old
i would like to have suggestions for what spark plugs and wires would be good to get renault engine
thanks!

[literarymadness]

Do you have an electronic ignition?

[califkid_66]

i got points they are recent and are adjusted the wiring is old i wanted new one and wanted to make sure i get the right spark plugs i still have the 821 in it

[jbcollier]

You can just run stock plugs and wires, no problem.  If you are using points either use resistor wires or resistor plugs, but not both.  The combined resistance can cause misfiring in high load situations.

I prefer to use either Bosch plugs or expensive NGK plugs.  There are a lot of fake NGK plugs in circulation, and inexpensive NGK plugs sometimes have problems with their ceramic insulators fouling invisibly.

[califkid_66]

thanks!  one more thing i got points but wanna put petronix just want to be sure i order the right one i was looking and it said ep-141  for r16 renault with ducellier is that the one
thank for your help

[jbcollier]

I have a crossflow and am using a 123 system so not sure on which Pertronix system is right.  But, it is just an R16 engine so the EP-141 recommendation should be spot on.

[califkid_66]

ok thanks its for the original 1565 engine not the crossflow the distributor and advance work fine just want to remove the points and put electronic , right now there are some misses not regular idling i don’t have much compression i just want to rule out ignition
funny thing is when it’s idling  if i remove a plug wire it doesn’t make a difference or barely i tried every wire it idles not bad and doesn’t smells like gas and funny thing is it doesn’t overheat engine runs cool enough that the fan doesn’t need to run

[jbcollier]

It doesn't sound like ignition but, you never know.

I always, always start with the valves, especially if it is a quiet engine.  Engine should be cold, day old cold.  First, retorque the head if you have no record of it having been done.  To check the clearances put it in fourth and push the car forward/backward to turn the engine.  Do NOT turn the engine using the camshaft pulley nut.  Get the valves "rocking" on a cylinder and the adjust its pair.  So, #1 cylinder rocking (exhaust closing/intake opening), adjust #4.  #1 - #4 and #2 - #3 are paired.

Button it back up and warm-up the engine.

Now test your compression.

Still low?  Get a plastic glass of water.  Run the engine up 1500 rpm.  Slowly dribble the water down the primary side of the carb.  You will have to open the throttle to keep it running.  Run a 1/4 to a 1/3 of a litre through.  Keep it running afterwards until it settles.

Test your compression again.  Hopefully better.

[califkid_66]

i had done a compression test a while back
had done it cold and with throttle closed
i know ot the right way !!
i redid it warm and with throttle open
i posted the results a while back
100 105 102   99 cold throttle closed
110 118 116 105 warm throttle open
i did put a little oil to see if it would go up
put maybe put a bit to much in two cylinders
but it did go up i think it’s just used up and needs rebuild
one more thing i did adjust the valves before

[jbcollier]

If it's a Renault 9:1 compression engine, that's ok-ish.  If it's a 10.25:1 Lotus-Renault engine, that is indeed low.

[califkid_66]

it’s the original engine so it should be 10.25:1