I put Bosch platinum plus plugs in this truck a couple years ago when I replaced the engine. I was new to Ford's and so far all the Ford guys tell me I shouldn't have put these plugs in this engine. Something about them running hotter or whatnot.

So, I have been tuning my engine...302, .030 over, ported E7TE heads, stock cam, speed density, MSD Ignition setup, wound wires, brass terminals, ignition bump to 16 BTDC....I have the truck performing very well for a stock 185hp engine with little mods like mentioned.

Here is the thing, I have been reading about side gapping plugs. Some people report better fuel mileage, hp and tq numbers. I don't know if side gapping is considered a MUST DO modification, or if its not worth the time and effort.

Is there any DEFINITIVE proof that side gapping and indexing plugs will increase output, or at least increase fuel mileage?

More importantly, can I side gap Platinum plugs, or should I only do it to copper plugs?

Thanks for any help fellas.

 

Like most tweaks plug side gaping and indexing may or may not produce any measurable gain in power, with these motors in particular engine through flow is so poor you really have to do something significant to feel any power gains at the drivers seat, these are not at all highly tuned engines so this would not rank very high on my list but if it makes you feel better than have at it. I have experimented with plug indexing and couldn't detect any difference so I don't waste my time with it any more. Side gaping looks like it could drastically reduce plug life and personally I got no interest in changing plugs every 6 months so it's not something I'd do.
The big reason most people discourage the use of fancy plugs in these motors is because they simply don't last as long as the basic coppers and really don't provide any power increase to offset their higher price.

 

Paul, this is what I suspected. This truck is what it is. Ive got it running good, I am just going to leave it at that until I have all the parts to upgrade to MAF. Then I will go with a cam swap.

I've seen you make suggestions on cams often around the forum....could you recommend one for my setup? Its basically going to be stock lower but .030 over, C6, ported e7 heads, LT headers, true dual with h-pipe. Right now I have 2.75:1 rear gear because I cruise 99% highway in this truck to work and back. I got a lot better gas mileage once I swapped those gears in place of 3.00:1. Once I get the MAF done, and put a cam in, I will put 3.50:1 gears to possibly 3.75:1 because at that point it will be a farm truck, not a daily driver and it will be restored at a later date to be a nice restored truck. It will only be a farm truck for a few years until I get my Permaculture farm established.

So basically I need a cam that will haul loads around a farm with low gears for a few years. It'll never be a race truck so I just need to juice up the lower rpm range in this 302 as much as possible. Thanks

 

here's what indexing will do, it will ensure that the ground strap is behind the electrode and facing the a/f charge, this means a quicker more even burn, whether you can feel it i don't know but in theory it works, you just don't want the ground strap blocking the spark.