Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12
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Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
I've read alot throughout these message boards re: side-gapped plugs. Have also seen most people suggest using the MotorCraft plugs designed for a specific vehicle. I have a 95 F-150 SC, Inline 6, 123K. I avg 15mpg mixed driving. I'm about to get new plugs and am leaning toward the MotorCraft plugs.
However, I wonder if side-gapping plugs is worth it. Does it improve gas mileage and power? Can it damage the coil or module?
Mechanics I've talked to have never heard of it.
Thanks,
sam_1857
However, I wonder if side-gapping plugs is worth it. Does it improve gas mileage and power? Can it damage the coil or module?
Mechanics I've talked to have never heard of it.
Thanks,
sam_1857
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Palm Coast USA
Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
I haven't used this in any of my trucks (1990 Bronco &1991 F150) but my roots go pretty deep into the mustang world. I have a pretty hot 5.0 (actually 307cid now) which has 333 brake horse power verified by some really expensive dyno time and I picked up 7 HP by side gapping (but it was up top 4500-6500 rpm)!!!! I was running a 226 degree duration .512 lift roller cam w/110 degree LCA,10.5 to 1 and MSD everything which I'm sure helped with the ultimate Hp. It seemed to help the idle quality which was fair at best with the cam I'm running but like I said earlier the power only showed itself up top. I was told due to the cam overlap it really paid off to side gap since it exposed the spark to the incoming charge. I'm not sure how much it will help us in the truck world since most of us are looking for low end and not ultimate hp in the upper RPM's but there are some tricks out there to free up some HP. I suppose it depends where your priorities are- i.e. high end hp or low end. I hope this helps more than confuses. Regards 
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 73
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From: on a dirt road
Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
I "side gapped" the last set of plugs I installed in my 90 351. I didnt really notice a differnce in performance, however, after about 8-10,000 miles it started to burn out the plugs:-X23
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
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From: Lee's Summit MO
Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
>I "side gapped" the last set of plugs I installed in my 90
>351. I didnt really notice a differnce in performance,
>however, after about 8-10,000 miles it started to burn out
>the plugs:-X23
I tried em with a set of autolites a couple of years ago and I didn't notice anything either. Mine wore out in less than a year too.
'93 F-150 loaded and modified!
Check my Gallery
>351. I didnt really notice a differnce in performance,
>however, after about 8-10,000 miles it started to burn out
>the plugs:-X23
I tried em with a set of autolites a couple of years ago and I didn't notice anything either. Mine wore out in less than a year too.
'93 F-150 loaded and modified!
Check my Gallery
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
side gapping is where you remove part of the plugs gounding electrode so that the center elctrode is exposed. unless you just want to play with a hacksaw bosch has side gapped plugs with 2 or 4 electrodes.
You can side gap any plug but it will cut the live of the plug in half. Bosch has added extra electordes to maintain normal life of the plug. hope this helps.
http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/SparkPlugs/Platinum2/
http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/SparkPlugs/PlatinumPlus4/
You can side gap any plug but it will cut the live of the plug in half. Bosch has added extra electordes to maintain normal life of the plug. hope this helps.
http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/SparkPlugs/Platinum2/
http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/SparkPlugs/PlatinumPlus4/
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 93
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From: montana
Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
Thanks!
So it is kind of like the splitfire plugs I am using.
Cody
So it is kind of like the splitfire plugs I am using.
Cody
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 692
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From: Coon Rapids, MN
Side Gapped Spark Plugs? Do they work?
I was wondering the same thing so I side gaped a plug and put it in my 4 wheeler. It runs smoother and has a little bit more power after I added the new plug. It also seems to start better possibly because of added spark. What I did was cut off part of the electrode with a cut-off wheele on a dremel tool. It is real easy and I think I might try it on my truck next.
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