Maytag Help

[Trashman]

Is the champion #25 plug the correct plug for the model 92? The reason I ask is that I purchased one and put it in my engine but it does'nt screw down all the way. Is that the way it should fit?

[WVCS1958]

Trashman:

I believe the Maytag uses a sparkplug with 1/2" pipe threads.
It won't screw all the way in.
It's just like a pipe fitting so be careful and do not over tighten it.
Hope this helps.

Charlie

[Kevin Weis]

Trashman, yes it is the right plug. As Charlie says it will not screw down all the way just like a pipe fitting. - Kevin

[Tom S]

Mosy of the time I screw those 1/2" NPT plugs in finger tight. That's about all the tighter you usually need. Originally, the 92 used a #34 Champ. Its a lot larger, longer reach plug. The Champion 25 and Autolite 3095 will work just fine.

[BWegher]

The Champion 1/2 NPT plugs have several "reach" lengths. Different model numbers had different lengths. The modern A25 plug is short reach.
The original Maytag labeled Champion plugs were longer than the Champion 34 by about 1/2 inch. I don't know if that was equivalent to the "Gas Engine Special" length. It's also possible that the specs changed over the years, and that Maytag may have used different spark plugs lengths over the years. I found in a barn a Maytag single still mounted under a square tub washer that the owners believed had not been touched since the 1930s, it had a Champion "Gas Engine Special" installed.

I tighten the plugs by hand, then add another 1/2 turn with a wrench

[Neale Behm]

Due to the shorter length of the Champion 25 and Autolite 3095 there is a tendency for these plugs to foul. The longer reach of the 34 puts the electrodes down in the middle of the combustion area helping them stay a bit hotter and cleaner.
If your engine runs fine for a little while then quits and/or won't start using the shorter plugs, take the plug out and clean it. Remember, the hit n miss operation of a Maytag engine still draws a gas and oil mixture into the cylinder. Because it's not firing, the plug will coat with oil in a short period of time.

Thanks Harry

[BWegher]

Attached photo of 1/2 NPT plugs with the threads lined up.
Champion "Gas Engine Special" (no number)
Champion "Gas Engine Special" 34
Champion "Ford"
Modern Motorcraft F-11 (uses old Autolite number system)

The length of the plug below the bottom thread is 7/8 inch on the longest plug and 3/4 inch on the Champion 34

I found another Maytag plug with a 7/8 inch reach but the porcelain was broken off so don't know if it was original Maytag.

the Maytag piston is designed to have the combustion originate at a certain point above the piston so I'd definitely try to find a long reach plug.

[Tom S]

The Maytag script plugs I have been around have been identical to the #34 plugs. In fact some Maytag script plugs also say "34" on them. If I get some time I'll dig out my spark plug stash and get some pics.


As many changes as Maytag made in their engines, I am sure they commisioned a lot of different style plugs for their engines.

[BWegher]

I'd say the Champion 34 would be close enough.
The "Gas Engine Special" label may have started before Champion used numbers. Now I think the simple answer is if you can't get an original Maytag plug, then get a Champion 34.

Now that I think of it, the 14mm plugs for the twin did not have an exact Champion model either. It's possible the Maytag 1/2 NPT plug was a special design for Maytag, with no exact equivalent Champion model.

[ldj1002]

I got a 1/2" pipe bushing and drilled and tapped it for a 14M plug. Screwed that in and it works great, couldn't be better.
L.D.

[Andrew Mackey]

The Champion Maytag twin plugs are the equivalent to the H-10 Champion. Two 14mm Maytag script plugs I have are an exact match. It is a 14mm 1/2" reach plug, where as the J and C series are a 3/8" reach. The Js will work, but you will have to clean out the threads with a brush - real well, if you go back to the Maytag script, or the H series plug. Champion CJ-8, J17-LM, and J8-J plugs are resister type plugs, are more foul resistant (made for 2 cycle engines), but MUST have the gap reduced to .020, in order not to overtax the weak twin coils (especially the 72-Ds). Normal twin gap - non resister plugs is037, each plug. I would not use the J 19-LM plugs in the Maytag twin, as they are made for lean burn modern engines, and are too hot in heat range (you may melt the soft aluminum pistons).
Andrew

[BWegher]

For twins, the original Champion Maytag script plugs are 3/8 inch reach.
The closest Champions in the 1940s were J-4, but the numbering system changed. The closest heat range modern champion is J-19LM

Champion H-10 plugs are 7/16 inch reach, they will work but are too long.
Champion L-90 plugs are 1/2 inch, too long for the twin.