| From | Message |
CrapShoveler
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/28/2004
17:06:28
|
 Subject: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 1995 Dakota with the MSD 6A, MSD coil, and MSD superconducter wires. Is gapping my autolites to .055 too much? Or should I stick with something like .045 or .050. I know it doesn't make that much difference, I am just curious.
|
Science Guy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/28/2004
20:17:50
|  RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
whoever told you that it doesn't make much difference in gaps is seriously incorrect. A gap that is too small means that the spark duration will be very quick and the spark will be thin and weak. The consequences of this may be bad starting and high exhaust emission levels. This will result in an increase in fuel consumption. If the gap is set too large, the ignition system will not be able to cope with the demands and a misfire situation will occur. Some wide gap spark plugs have a longer ground electrode to accommodate a wide gap setting. These must be used where specified, as opening up a standard plug to a wider gap setting may result in the electrodes not running parallel to each other. This could result in abnormal and premature electrode wear. Stay with the spec gap unless you're told otherwise from MSD.
|
OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/29/2004
02:24:36
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
Science Guy .. With all due respect what you said was mostly correct but for the wrong reasons .. To start this the first thing you need to know is how the factory desides on the spark gap > First the engine has to run (reasonably well) .. the reason is the spark has to work with all kinds a drivers .. From the hot rod heavey footed driver to the guy towing a very heavey trailer to the 15MPH grany driver.. Now > Read what the first 6 sentences say in your reply > there correct .. and they tell you the exact reason to open the gap .. If you change nothing on your ignition open the gap 10 thousands unless your a grany driver .. Now how much can you open the gap? The answer is not till the plug miss fires because the gap is to wide but because you got cavatation .. Cavatation is the turbulance in the cylender blowing the flame out befor combustion can take place . This well happen long before you could open the gap far enough the stock ignition couldn't handle it > Thing is , the wider of a gap you can get away with and not have cavatation the better off you should be provided your fuel milage didn't drop off .. If it did then close the plug gap 5 thousands and do another fuel milage check > repeat this process untill you get your optimine? fuel millage > You must try slow driving and full throttle also to detect any cavation . Rememer .. The wider the gap the longer the coil has to saturate to bridge that wider gap .. Results hoter spark.. fatter spark.. longer spark to make it easier to set the fuel burning .. If you do not open the gap with a hot coil like the MSD and others you waisted your money on a coil that isn't able to develope itself to it's potential .. your very correct about the electrodes not being totally correct > most important is to keep the ground electrode flat and dead center > the plug well work just as good with the exception of plug life > depending on how much you open them they could be wore out in 10,000 miles > but were talking 10 or 15 thousands for most of you and your not going to notice any differance in plug life provide you are reasonable on the length a time between plug changes > Plugs afre wore out when you can detect roundness rather then perfect square edges on the electrodes.. the spark loves sharp edges .. the further past this point you run the plugs the less effecient they become till they foul and die .. probable a lot more information then you wanted but that was actually the short version of the subject .. have fun tearing this one up but first do some serious reading .. then come get me lol >
|
OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/29/2004
02:30:38
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
sorry about the bad `spelling > Never could type well
|
CrapShoveler
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/02/2004
17:45:00
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the responses. I'm going to have to play around with it to get it just right. Thanks again.
|
dartvader
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/04/2004
07:38:52
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
Ihave mine set at 0.50 and the car runs just fine
|
Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/04/2004
10:05:22
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
I don't think it would. I think you mean .050, not 0.50!
|
dartvader
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/04/2004
12:03:09
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes that what I meant.
|
uyo
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/07/2004
01:55:14
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
im not sure exactly how my plugs are gapped because i used a tapered measure, but they are somewhere around .04-.043...should i fix that or does it matter?
|
Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/07/2004
08:30:44
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
Stock is .035, but I've found that a stock setup still runs great and gets 20 mpg highway with .040 gap.
|
Wadak
GenIII
12/07/2004
22:57:39
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
CrapShoveler,
I running the autolite 3923's gapped out to .060" and I have a complete MSD system, it runs very well.
|
Reverend D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/08/2009
05:01:24
|  RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
i have a 1988 chevrolet s10 with a 4 cylinder 4tech what should my gap be for the best performance like raceing
|
DakotaNC
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/26/2009
18:28:26
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
Im spraying my Dakota, any sugestions on my gap or does it matter?
|
Exterminator
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/27/2009
02:07:38
| RE: Spark Plug Gap?
IP: Logged
Message:
"Im spraying my Dakota"
Roaches or Termites?
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
