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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

spark plug gap

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Old Feb 21, 2004 | 12:47 PM
  #1  
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gunnyvon
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spark plug gap

I rcently purchased a 92 F150 with a 351. The underhood emissions sticker has been painted over. The owner's manual says to refer to the emissions sticker for plug gap. Hence my problem. Can anyone help.
Thanks, Gunnyvon.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 09:30 AM
  #2  
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EPNCSU2006
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.042-.046 would be my recommendation. That's what is listed for my '87 5.0 and should give you a good starting point at least.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 09:55 AM
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estalder
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Gunnyvon,

I have a 92, with the 302, and here is what I have found:

Chiltons manual: .044", (book also says go with sticker under hood.)

Under hood sticker: .052" - .056".

I put in NGK UR45's with a gap of .054", and the truck seems to run just fine.

Later,
Eric.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 07:26 PM
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D Harry
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Use a dime to gap your plugs.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 07:28 PM
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acerockola77
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My feeler gauge only goes up to .40, and I can't find any that go much bigger, where do you guys get yours at?

The plugs I get are pregapped so it's usually not a problem, but still I'd like to atleast have something that goes to the gap I need.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2004 | 10:20 AM
  #6  
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Most plugs for our engines are pregapped to .044 which is in many cases wrong. Instead of a feeler gauge, I use a spark plug gapping tool and gauge, cheap and available at any auto parts store.

Incorrect plug gaps in Chilton manuals has been a continuing problem. By '74 Econoline had Duraspark I and needed a wide gap, but the sticker was on the valve cover right next to the filler cap and covered with dirt. Plugs were pre-gapped at .032 in those days and Chilton agreed. That van was almost impossible to start until I discovered the correct .056 gap.

Jim
 
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Old Mar 12, 2004 | 02:51 PM
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The correct gap recomended by Ford is .052-.056. Personally I would go by that.
 
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Old Mar 20, 2004 | 08:01 PM
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Thanks guys, I'm going with .052-.056. I found this on a co-worker's '97 F-150. It also has a 351. Differant plugs though.
Thanks again, Gunnyvon
 
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Old Mar 20, 2004 | 10:31 PM
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Not to be picky, but '97 F-150's weren't available with a 351.
 
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Old Mar 20, 2004 | 11:46 PM
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yep 4.6's and 5.4's that year
 
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Old Mar 21, 2004 | 11:32 PM
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50-56 sounds right to me.
 
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