I removed a lead plug today, and went to check the gap, the side electrode fell off.



Always tug on the side electrode before installing spark plugs.
The little electrodes across the end of the tip, are not attached that well.

I shudder to think of one falling off in my engine.

 

Yikes!

Don't know that I would "tug" on it, but I guess I'll take a closer look next time!

How long you figure it was in there? How fouled was it.....if at all?

I've bent them up carefully while adjusting the gap(on new ones), but have never had one get compromised.

 

I've never ever seen a spark plug do that. How old and what brand was it?

The NGK plugs I use in the 8 are the same brand I used in my racing days and I would check their gaps all the time without a single issue. Even moved them slightly to get the proper gap at times.

Weird.

 

i have not seen that occure with one coming out of an engine! I have seen the bar breaking when the gap is being changed. And breaking off very easily also. very very easily.
I really think it may be a qualanty control issue as some ngk's bar can be moved without any difficulty and them some wil break very easily. Dont know but yikes dude!