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Waltherone
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
21:15:15
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 Subject: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
Tomorrow I change my first set of plugs EVER, on my 4.7, well I know to gap them to .40 and all, but straight out of the box they are already at about .42-.43 how can I SAFELY push the piece back down? Or, will that little bit make a lot of difference? I think it will..
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eggbert
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
21:40:55
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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I just tap the ground electrode lightely against a hard surface (I use my vise) until I get the reading I want. If it closes up too much then just open it up a little and start tapping again. You will get a feel for it.
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frog
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
22:35:38
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
go to autozone or kragen and get a gapping tool for $2
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Waltherone
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
23:30:11
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Also, is there a name for the anti-sieze I ought to use, or shoulda I just ask for 'anti-sieze'?
Forgot to get that, have to go back tomorrow before doing the change..
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whitedak
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
10:13:27
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
I agree, go to AutoZone or an equivalent store and get a gapping tool for around 2 bucks. Anti-seizing compound you can get for about 50 cents for a small tube. I wouldn’t use a vise, it seems like overkill.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
11:01:47
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
he said a hard surface, he uses the surface of his vice, pretty hard huh.
He didn't say he USES his vice, to clamp and change the gap! Jeez!
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Waltherone
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
13:00:48
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
lol
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Steve
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
15:40:11
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Plug gaps should alaways be measured with a round wire gauge rather than a flat feeler gauge. Any auto parts store will have the wire gauges. Wire gauges all have a tool on them to bend the side electrode to get the proper reading. If you don't know how to use it, the person in the parts store will probably be happy to show you how it's done. Banging a spark plug on a hard surface is a great way to crack the porcelain on the plug.
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Brandon K
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
15:55:14
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
Personally I have changed several sets of plugs in my long 18 years, probably 20 sets or more, and I have never had a problem with gently tapping the electrode on a hard surface or even heard of anyone having trouble with it. To me it just sounds kinda of stupid to spend $2 on a tool you will very rarely use. I mean dang thats at least 2 good cold Cokes.
Brandon
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Steve
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
16:19:11
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
Brandon K, why bother screwing the plugs in the head? Why not get a sledge hammer and drive them in like a nail. The person that wrote the original post wanted to learn how to do the job CORRECTLY.
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Brandon K
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
16:36:29
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
Steve, notice I said "GENTLY" tapping the electrode end. I don't mean for him to just beat the sh*t out of it. I know there are the proper tools for every possible job, but why pay $2 extra for something that you simply do not HAVE to have? You may not think that $2 is much but to an 18 year old with a lead foot and a vehicle with sh*tty gas mileage, thats another 1.42 gallons of gas. I hope you understand my point of view on the topic.
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trukguy
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
17:09:55
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
I have never seen any website that has so many threads about spark plugs. I cannot believe you guys are now having a whole thread about how to gap them also. Whats next? A thread about tire pressures? Can you say AR?
BTW - I just tap mine lightly on a hard surface to get to the right gap also.
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Waltherone
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
20:09:00
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
hah, well they're all changed now so we can end this thread if you guys want :)
And I did end up tapping them on my desk here, took 3-5 taps per plug to reduce the gap by about .07-.1, so I wasn't hitting TOO hard.
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eggbert
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2002
08:46:01
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
I'll be doggone. My method worked after all. Amazing what 40 years of experience can teach a person. Hehe.
PS - Never beat on any part of the spark plug.
Never clamp it in a vice.
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slopehead
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2002
10:20:09
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
just use two pair of vice gips, one on the insulater and one set for a very hard grip on the electrode. that'll do it.
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handi2
GenIII
12/28/2002
23:20:05
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
After all these years I probably have had a dozen spark plug tools. I have never used a tool to close the gap on a plug. Some of you guys are just idiots or just can't comprehend what you read.
Can you understand that you lightly tap the electrode on a hard surface..!
No harder than you would tap it on you idiot head.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Available Option
Bed Rug/Access Tonnoue Cover/Roadmaster Suspension/HO Cams
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eggbert
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/29/2002
10:13:07
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
Thanks handi2.
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handi2
GenIII
12/29/2002
17:50:17
| RE: Ungapping plugs
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Message:
You are welcome.
I'm sure most of the guys on here have never set points with a match box either...!
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Available Option
Bed Rug/Access Tonnoue Cover/Roadmaster Suspension/HO Cams
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Duner
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2002
01:36:37
| Old Time CBE
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I have!
One of my favorite low-budget CBE (Crude But Effective) workarounds for high-rpm floating points was to put a chunk of vaccuum hose behind the points to act as an additional spring and cushion. It was more effective and much cheaper than the high-dollar Mallory points.
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