On the advice of almost everyone on this forum, I am switching to double platinum plugs. I must be a glutton for punishment, because I HATE changing the plugs in this engine!

Anyway, the Haynes manual gives a range for spark plug gap from .052 - .056 inch. If it was me, I would just split the difference and gap them to .054.

Does anyone have an opinion on this, as to where they should be gapped, or does it really matter?

Thanks,


Ron

 

I would go for the mean too.

 

Go with .52 That way, as they tend to "burn up", they will still be within tolerance. Example: you set them at .56, it won't be long before they are past the limits. If you really want to know the truth, it probably doesn't matter. If it were me-go .52 The platinum plugs will probably last 100k, so it might not even matter.

 

Thanks for the ideas.

 

im also going to change my plugs to doubble platnum , and put in new msd wires in my 95 ranger 4.0 this weekend, do u know what the torque specification is for them. also i cant get 2 boots off of the plugs, anyone got any tips

 

The first time that I did my wires, I actually had to cut one of them off because it wouldn't budge, I pulled the end off with a pair of pliers. I thing silicone dilectric compound inside the boot will prevent this from happening in future. I don't know about torque, I just snug them up, not too tight, though. The thing I am not looking forward to is replacing the plugs, especially on the passenger side all those A/C pipes and junk in the way....

 

Try twisting them before pulling the wires off.

 

Always remember, "Spark plugs do not hold the car together".

They don't have to be that tight, really just enough so they won't vibrate out. Slightly more than finger-tight, probably.

 

i thought changing the plugs would be difficult on the passenger side too. i also have a/c. it wasnt that bad. im not that big. (140 pds) so i just climb on in and work right above it all. kind of hard on the knees though. i used autolite plugs and stock napa wires. gapped at 52 sprayed wd-40 inside each boot as i put them on.

 

Therein lies the problem for me. I'm 6'5" and 265Lbs and I can never seem to get my big mits in there to manipulate a wratchet. I can do it, but it's painfully slow and lots of cuts and nicks to the old knuckles. Oh well.....