Side Gapped Plugs ???
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
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From: Durham
Side Gapped Plugs ???
Side gapped plugs are plugs that you cut the electrode back about an 1/8" to expose the anode. This exposes more of the spark to the combustion chamber, which in theory will give you a more powerful spark.
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 99
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Side Gapped Plugs ???
If your theory is correct....wouldn't buying a new Ignition system like MSD do the same trick? I know its expensicve but wouldn't messing with the spark plugs like that cause a detenation or something?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
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From: Durham
Side Gapped Plugs ???
I already have an MSD 6A ignition. And that's part of dialing in a complete system. I have headers, an MSD coil and I will probably go with an MSD distributor soon. I also know that I need to fatten up the carb a little with the headers. The old plugs also showed signs of running a little too lean.
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: Durham
Side Gapped Plugs ???
MSD is an ignition manufacturer. Most of the NASCAR folks run MSD. MSD produces an ignition that will send multiple sparks to the plug over a longer duration than a standard ignition (at idle). When your engine typically hits 2-3K a standard ignition while only fire your plug once every 2-4 combustion cycles. The MSD doesn't claim to hit every cylcle every time, but it does say that it will hit the combustion cylces more often than a standard ignition set.
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
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From: Lee's Summit MO
Side Gapped Plugs ???
Slik, is MSD allready producing the distributor? I most likely will get one of em...
Evan A.K.A. PastMaster
1993 F-150 302/E40d XLT
1989 F-150 302/Aod 4x4 XLT Lariat
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Durham
Side Gapped Plugs ???
MSD now has 3 distributors available for the 351W.
1) Their old standard distributor does not have a vacuum advance, only mechanical.
2) They have what they call a drop in distributor that has the vacuum advance and an ignition module built inside the distributor. You just drop it in, hook up 3 wires and off you go. I'm not real positive if the distributor replaces the box on the fender well or not, but it looks like it should.
3) The third distributor is a vacuum advance model that requires you to have an MSD ignition box (6, 6A, 7, etc.).
The third one is the one that I will eventually get and they are all available from MSD today! Summit doesn't list them, but they are in my new 2000 PAW catalog.
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
1) Their old standard distributor does not have a vacuum advance, only mechanical.
2) They have what they call a drop in distributor that has the vacuum advance and an ignition module built inside the distributor. You just drop it in, hook up 3 wires and off you go. I'm not real positive if the distributor replaces the box on the fender well or not, but it looks like it should.
3) The third distributor is a vacuum advance model that requires you to have an MSD ignition box (6, 6A, 7, etc.).
The third one is the one that I will eventually get and they are all available from MSD today! Summit doesn't list them, but they are in my new 2000 PAW catalog.
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik