RE: Re[2]: Spark Plugs Once Again

From: Jason Jennings (jason@spray-tech.com)
Date: Mon Feb 15 1999 - 14:23:13 EST


I will check the distributor. Last time I messed with them I had to
pull a bit harder on the wires. Ok, that is basically how I was taught
to gap. The factory plugs were snug past the .040 mark. The only
reason I even checked the factory plugs was to get an idea where my NGK
plugs should be. The NGK plugs were gapped all but one perfectly to
.040. None of the champion stock plugs were even close to .040. Nope,
no ignition systems. I am trying to tune my baby through sheer money on
engine performance parts and testing, zero juice, supercharging, and
ignitions systems. I suppose I will just test and tune at the track
every chance I have. I am going to invest in a higher quality gapping
tool. Any suggestions on what style, brand, type, or whatever I should
look for in a gapping tool????

Jason
2/15/99 2:24 PM

        -----Original Message-----
        From: fawcett@uism.bu.edu [SMTP:fawcett@uism.bu.edu]
        Sent: Monday, February 15, 1999 11:55 AM
        To: DAKOTA-TRUCK@buffnet.net
        Subject: Re[2]: DML: Spark Plugs Once Again

        This is a wicked rough rendering of a spark plug, but the gap
you are
        measuring is the distance between the ground electrode (the
elbow looking
        thing that comes off the side of the plug) and the center
electrode (the
        round thing in the middle of the plug). Slide your gapper
between the
        two... It should be snug as in some resistance being felt as
the gap tool
        slides between the two metal pieces.

          -------- --
          | | = .040in or 1.01mm
          | |-| --
          | |--| |--|
          | | |
          |-------------|
          |-------------|
          |-------------|

        Do you have an after-market ignition system that would allow for
a larger gap??
        Did the engine run rough with the stock plugs.

        If the answer is no to both I'd re-gap to the factory spec. of
.040 and check my
        wires to make sure I didn't cross two of 'em. Also check the
fit of the wires
        at the distributor and coil... I noticed I loosened one up on
the distributor
        when I was fiddling with the them.

        Good luck.

        Tom

        ______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
        Subject: RE: DML: Spark Plugs Once Again
        Author: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net> at smtpout
        Date: 2/15/99 10:38 AM

        I suppose it was warm up on the fuel thing. The idol is rough,
and
        drives like the pistons are not firing at all have the time....
I
        almost want to say the gap is too small for the type of spark
being
        delivered???? How can I tell if the plugs are gapped to far
out??? Is
        there a solid test to determine if the gapping is ideal, too far
out, or
        to close in.... I found the small gap to give one rough of a
mother
        ride.... First time burnt one of my plugs a little bit....

        Jason
        2/15/99 10:41 AM

                -----Original Message-----
                From: fawcett@uism.bu.edu
[SMTP:fawcett@uism.bu.edu]
                Sent: Monday, February 15, 1999 9:56 AM
                To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
                Subject: Re: DML: Spark Plugs Once Again

                Hmmmmm... I don't understand why your having a problem.
My
        Champion truck
                plugs are dead on at .040 and she idles smooth as
butter. It's
        a tiny
                little 318, but that shouldn't make a difference, should
it?

                About the fuel on the plugs though, I think that is
normal if
        the engine
                was cold when you fired her up. I don't know if they
even call
        it a choke
                on these new fangled engines, but there is sh*t load of
fuel
        being pumped
                into the motor during warm-up... Now if your plugs are
still
        wet after
                reaching operating temp., then you've got a real
problem.

                Help me out here guys if I'm off the mark, but this is
what I
        found out
                when I went through my Bosch Platinum +4 fiasco!

                Tom
                ______________________________ Reply Separator
        _________________________________
                Subject: DML: Spark Plugs Once Again
                Author: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net> at smtpout
                Date: 2/15/99 9:12 AM

                I am still trying to find a good gapping for my NGK
plugs. My
        little
                R/T really hates the .040 gap with these plugs. I have
checked
        the
                Champion stock numbers. Yep, it has a 4 at the end of
it. I
        checked
                the gapping on a couple. Nope it is not .040.... When
ever I
        close in
                on the .040 recommendation it becomes a rough ride,
shoot rough
        idol. I
                start 'er up, idol a sec. Pull the plugs, and bingo....
Left
        over fuel
                mix all over the electrodes.... Maybe I need a gapping
101
        refresher
                course.... I am gapping based on the center point of
the metal
        hook
                looking part. Or I suppose you could say the electrode
part.
        They are
                roughly the same on these NGK plugs. I currently have
them
        gapped at
                about .043 on the snug.... This brings the metal loop
side
        about flush
                with the .045 marker on my gapper. This has been the
biggest
        darn pain
                so far, yep worse than the radiator hose. BTW, what Lug
Nut
        designed
                one of the A/C lines to pass right by the passenger side
        plugs.... Oh
                and don't over look those wiring harnesses over there
too... My
                favorite is still the driver side metal shield looking
things
        below the
                header area. Hmm yummy, I love that 40 degree weather
pain I
        get from
                slamming into sharp cold metal monsters.... Thanks....

                Jason
                2/15/99 9:10 AM



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