[JWHALFA]

Steve 101 , alfasprinty and Steve105

You folks obviously know more about these LODGE plugs than everyone else in this discussion combined ........... so ...........

I'm still asking the same two questions .........................

What is the approximate dollar value of these LODGE 2HLN plugs, if they are new in their cellophane wrappers, in individual boxes just as shown in the photo above in Post No.35 ?

Which Alfa Owners and / or other Collector car Owners would most likely want these if available in sets of Four ?

 

[Andrew Smythe]

I just put new NGK’s in my 76’ Spider this afternoon, and I was very very surprised to pull a set of badly fouled Golden Lodge HL’s out of the car.

It’s certainly never been restored to concourse quality so I wonder if they were the originals or close to it.

Didn’t realize they were collectable, I should dig them out of the trash and put them on eBay

 

[steve101]

JWHALFA,
2HLN were never supplied as original equipment on any Alfa I know of.
The printing on the ceramic doesn’t match the older single electrode version, they had the designation HLNY in smaller print, below and on he other side of ‘Lodge’.
I have seen them in pink and blue.
The spark plugs you have are available new (The Green Spark Plug Company) in England for 5pounds each plus
shipping.
They cross reference with 10 or more other plug manufactures and seem to be used in motorcycles.
So not sure if they have any value to Alfa folks.
Maybe someone else has more information.
Good luck.

 

[JWHALFA]

alfasprinty ..... Thierry
steve105

I think steve101 is confused as to who posted the pictures of the LODGE 2HLN pulgs.
I was asking a question about the pictures that alfasprinty ( Thierry ) posted.
steve105 seems to have different info. about these plugs.

Does anyone really know what time it is ?

Please enlighten me.

 

[lgbalfa]

Not driving it often shouldn't really affect spark plug lifetime. The owners manual specifies 30,000 miles but it really depends on on the plug - the newer iridium and platinum plugs last a lot longer than the old copper units. The Bosch Platinum +4 plugs I have in mine are specified to go 100k miles. At my current average yearly mileage they should last another 60 years or so! Well, as long as the motor doesn't develop a problem that destroys them....

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Steve105]

On page 243 in the Spare Parts Catalogue.
Part Number 1315.55.421 LODGE 2HLN is used for 1600 engines of these cars G.T Sprint, GTC and GT Veloce 1600.

The GTA came into existence in 1965, and first used the 4 electrode LODGE 2HL . If we use 1965 as the start point(a guess) as to when the 4 electrode LODGE 2HL was produced, then the LODGE 2HLN may appeal to owners of cars made from 1963 to 1965. Thus I think at some point in 1965 when the 4 electrode LODGE 2HL became available the 1965 G.T Sprint, GTC and the 1965 GT Veloce 1600 transitioned from one electrode 2HLN to the 4 electrode 2HL.

Of course the amount of time and effort that goes into acquiring and rebuilding scarce 502 and 536 engines may affect prices of single electrode spark plugs as per them needing more attention to be reset when the spark plug gap widens, along with other limitations as previously mentioned.

I don't have any original 2HLN or HLNY to examine, but they are both listed in the Lodge conversion chart/list of 80 lodge plugs I have. It appears HLNY to be a hotter plug than 2HLN. The HLNY is not listed in the Spare Parts Catalogue for G.T Sprint, GTC and GT Veloce 1600.

Since the LODGE 2HLN were an original part used for 1600 engines these cars G.T Sprint, GTC and GT Veloce 1600 from 1963 to 1965, I think they would have some value. As to what that value would be? say in between the value of an equivalent single electrode Champion plug for the 2HLN (which is N3.RN3) and a 4 electrode 2HL.

Regards Steve

 

[Steve105]

2HLN

 

[SamSteinig]

I ordered a set of HLs from Centerline. Hopefully they're genuine. It says Made in Italy, and all of the package text has Italian as the first language. We'll see...

 

[JWHALFA]

I am JWHALFA

I have a supply of LODGE 2HLN plugs, that are new in their cellophane wrappers in Boxes just like those shown in the photos in post number 35 by above by alfasprinty - Steve105?

PM me if you are interested in a set of four. I can supply photos.

JWHALFA ..... ALFA_DOG@comcast.net

 

[1978alfa]

Here's a picture from my recent ebay listing.
Notice the SPICA logo on the box.

 

[Chrisfpdx]

Centerline is selling Golden Lodge HL in 4 packs ONLY for $82.95. For a Milano, you'd need two packs which will set you back $165.90 and have two extra or buy three and have enough for the next change.

 

[Del]

We just use the NGK Iridiums in our Milano just fine. No fouling, and last forever. In fact, for the Milano I use the smaller hex size from the 24V engine, just for smaller socket dia, better access. Get them from the local autoparts store for ~$6-7 each? I think Golden Lodge are overrated, attractive to those remembering the old days.

 

[Steve105]

True story: The last guy I spoke to said his Golden lodge spark plugs were good for 20 years of regular use on his spider.
So let's say you are at $7.00 each for NGK Iridiums that last 1 year, amusing they are the correct temp rating.
Costs
NGK Iridiums 4 spark plugs 7*4=32*20 years= $560, remove and install 20 times your or your mechanics labour cost free.
The Golden Lodge plugs NOS are $400-500 install once
Sounds like the NKG Iridiums are false economy.

Once the spider guy went to NKG he blew a cylinder head gasket and distorted his head and stuffed his engine, he could only find a non original 116 engine for $400 as a replacement donor for a full rebuild.

Sure If you are happy with NKG Iridiums and your mechanic works for free and you have access to free parts and don't mind your car being non original and off the road.

Steve.
p.s. I remember it's all about reducing risks of break down in the good old days parts were made to last.

 

[Del]

"So let's say you are at $7.00 each for NGK Iridiums that last 1 year"

What? You wouldn't change the Iridiums any more often than the Golden Lodge, and they are pretty much almost forever lasting. Would change them fewer times in fact because they are designed to last for a longer time. That's how and why they are designed for the newer pollution specs. I don't understand your thinking about how often you would change them as compared to the old tech Golden Lodge.

"Sure If you are happy with NKG (sic) Iridiums and your mechanic works for free and you have access to free parts and don't mind your car being non original and off the road"

Again, what? Yes, my Alfas run well with the NGK, I leave them alone, and the rest of that statement makes no sense.

I would guess you don't know anything about the Iridiums. And, BTW, the Iridiums are not any more difficult than installing any other plug. Just the same. I put them in and forget them for years at a time. No erosion, burning, fouling. Just pick the correct heat range.

I used the Golden Lodge in my first Alfas way back, and I had to pull and clean them fairly regularly, was not happy, so switched to other brands. Had to Helicoil the spark plug holes in my Sprint GT due to fatiguing the threads because of the frequent pulling and retorquing of the Lodge plugs. And this was with the correct heat range. In later Alfas even tried the Bosch Plus 4's, a newer version of the Golden Lodge. Not that great, not any better than regular plugs, fouling once in a while in various Alfas. When I bought the 94LS, I discovered the Iridium plugs, and been happy ever since, using them in all our Alfas since.

I like to use parts which can be reliable and maintenance free now at a decent price. Golden Lodge prices appear to be ridiculous.

Staying original? Ok, for shows, etc? I can see that.

Obviously your choice.

Oh, and as for the poor guy with the blown head gasket, the correct choice of NGK plug wouldn't have had anything to do with that. He had other problems, such as letting the coolant run out and overheated the engine. That would distort the head, not a plug of the correct heat range.

 

[ARwrench]

I think Golden Lodge are overrated,

You got that right!

 

[Ruzhany]

I had a set of Golden Lodge 25 HLD in 155. The best spark plugs. I bought the car when it had 130K km. It already had Golden Lodge, probably from the factory. Sold the car at 320K km with the same spark plugs.

The real problem that Magneti Marelli stopped manufacturing of Golden Lodge in 2003. Probably almost everything we can see is made in China just few years ago.

 

[Steve105]

I'm talking about a car that gets regular daily medium to hard use as when I had used NGK Iridiums on a non Alfa and had to pull them out every 3-4 months to reset the gap and eventually the electrodes burnt down to the ceramic, and had to throw them out after a year.

The reason Golden lodge plugs carbon up is because you don't warm the car up and don't drive it had enough as you find out when you 'Golden Lodge in my first Alfas way back, and I had to pull and clean them fairly regularly, was not happy,'
Sure if you just go for 1- 3 drives a year and don't travel more than 50 miles a year and drive slowly the NKG Iridiums will last you 20 years, but we are talking about a static display / museum car.
Steve

 

[Gubi]

I'm talking about a car that gets regular daily medium to hard use as when I had used NGK Iridiums on a non Alfa and had to pull them out every 3-4 months to reset the gap and eventually the electrodes burnt down to the ceramic, and had to throw them out after a year.

That has not at all been my experience using them on four different Alfas. They've worked fine.

Golden Lodge worked fine too back when they were readily available new. But with the new ones that are available now I'd want to know who's making them before trying them. Just because they say "Golden Lodge" and have the same design, it doesn't mean they're going to perform the same as the old ones.

 

[alfettaparts2]

Isn't it funny how we think. Sometime we dig our heels in to our own detriment. I'm as guilty as anyone at doing that.
Iridium plugs are used across the entire automotive industry in their BILLIONS. They have been standard equipment on alfa for 25 years. Compared to a lodge plug they are far superior. They burn cleaner and last way longer than standard plugs.
Lodge were great back in the day but forget it they are gone. They have been replaced with superior technology.
Warped heads, 3-4 gap resets,burnt electrodes, this is just nonsense.

 

[Del]

"The reason Golden lodge plugs carbon up is because you don't warm the car up and don't drive it had enough as you find out when you 'Golden Lodge in my first Alfas way back, and I had to pull and clean them fairly regularly, was not happy,'"

Your guess. A false one. I've been driving Alfas as my DDs since the mid 60's, many different models, and I know how they run and what it takes to make sure they are happy. I might not be the best mechanic, others know more, but I know all about Italian tuneups, being taught very well by my Alfa factory school trained mechanic, also since the mid 60s. I know all about warming the engine up, getting the fluids circulating. Still do that in the V6 which really doesn't need it. That's why I've been able to put many thousands of miles on them without problems of runability. Mechanical problems, sure, they're mechanical devices, Alfas, lol, things wear or break. But running problems, rare, and not related to plugs. My 64 Sprint GT ended up with 260k miles of DD driving. My 91 164S now has 198k DD miles on it and it runs just fine on Iridium plugs, engine not touched. Same for the 89 Milano with 105k miles. Was also the same for the 94LS, which did require Iridiums from new.

Never had an Iridium plug erode/burn/foul away at all. You do have to use the correct heat range, as with any plug. One can ruin any plug if the incorrect one.

Please, if you want to pay the extremely high cost of Golden Lodge plugs, that's your choice, go for it. For me and many others, including the general automotive industry, Iridium plugs are tested as superior, last longer, and cost a great deal less.

At least do more research into them, and their design factors. You might be pleasantly surprised, and maybe save a ton of money.