Spark plug gap anyone???
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Guys, guys, when in doubt ALWAYS follow the underhood decal. These specs were current and correct at the time of manufacture. Any other information is subject to scrutiny. Even the good repair manuals will tell you that if there is a discrepancy between their info and the decal, you should go with the info on the decal.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: alexandria va 22304
Originally Posted by muckypaws
hmm if it wasn't such a bitch to get to them on my Bronco I'd try opening them up a bit and see if it improves my economy - at $6.53/gal I need all I the mpg I can get ;-)
6.53 a gallon
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
From: Fredericton NB, Canada
Dont mess with your spark gap if your running a stock ignition like Kem said. If you upgrade coil/wires/msd box etc, then you can start opening them up to .055 safely, and enjoy better mileage and power. Why spend all that money for better current, then choke it off by keeping the gap at the stock .044 etc?
-Matt
-Matt
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
okay here's a question. If your running stock ignition and your gap range is .052-056 what determines gapping your plugs to the wider range ? Irridium or platinum plugs ? Higer octane gas use ? Or is it best to be safe and just aim for the middle ?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 646
Likes: 3
From: Derbyshire, UK.
yeah, $6.53 a gal so as I have said before, stop ya moaning about $2 a gal. LOL
People at work all think I am mad only getting c. 14mpg at those prices... but when I drive it I totally forget about the cost - it feels just toooooo good to worry about the money! Sure beats the hell out of those little sports cars that feel like you are crammed into a short canoe.
In the end its my choice, and I choose Ford 302!
People at work all think I am mad only getting c. 14mpg at those prices... but when I drive it I totally forget about the cost - it feels just toooooo good to worry about the money! Sure beats the hell out of those little sports cars that feel like you are crammed into a short canoe.
In the end its my choice, and I choose Ford 302!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
motor manual says .042 to .046 the reason that the gap is not exact is because they determined the vehicle will perform the same at anywhere between those two guidelines with little difference. most parts stores can tell you as well what a plug gap is set at, the manufacturer provides that info to them because they are representing them, that would be the best resource to use since i believe you mentioned that you no longer have a underhood sticker to use for reference, some of the guys may not have caught that part.
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Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, NC
I just checked the catalogs at work and this is what they list for a 1990 302:
Bosch single platinum= .054"
Bosch super= .054"
Autolight standard= .054"
Autolight single platinum= .054"
Autolight double platinum= .054"
AC Delco standard= .044"
AC Delco platinum= .054"
Champion copper plus= .044"
Champion truck= .044"
Champion platinum= .044"
NGK V-power= .054"
NGK Iridium= "Gap Preset" secret I guess
Motorcraft standard= .054"
Motorcraft platinum= .054"
Bosch single platinum= .054"
Bosch super= .054"
Autolight standard= .054"
Autolight single platinum= .054"
Autolight double platinum= .054"
AC Delco standard= .044"
AC Delco platinum= .054"
Champion copper plus= .044"
Champion truck= .044"
Champion platinum= .044"
NGK V-power= .054"
NGK Iridium= "Gap Preset" secret I guess
Motorcraft standard= .054"
Motorcraft platinum= .054"
Last edited by f1001978; Mar 29, 2005 at 08:14 PM.
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