side-gapping sparkplugs

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Aug 2, 2005 | 11:45 AM

xtrford

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side-gapping sparkplugs

Anybody side-gapped there plugs on these 4.6/5.4's? Did it on my old 95 f150 with the 300 in it , worked really well.

Aug 2, 2005 | 12:09 PM

CJK440

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You mean by clipping the ground strap to unshroud the spark?

It does work but I think it really shortens plug life. Something I wouldn't want to have in a truck that is such a PITA to R&R plugs.

Aug 2, 2005 | 12:13 PM

xtrford

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Did it help with throttle response, or is just awaste of my time considering the labor involved to remove the plugs?

Aug 2, 2005 | 12:37 PM

CJK440

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I never did it on my truck. Noticed a slight improvement in a 5.0L mustang I had but wouldn't consider doing it on a 5.4/4.6 truck.

Aug 2, 2005 | 01:03 PM

lancekilgore

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where does it fire to, the head or piston or what? I have never heard of it before, interesting.

Lance

Aug 2, 2005 | 01:56 PM

CJK440

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Autolite sells a performance plug with a cut back electrode.

http://www.sparkplugs.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Quenching&mfid=5

Aug 2, 2005 | 02:25 PM

lancekilgore

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Wow very interesting the only thing I see is there is lees of a area for the spark to jump to. So you all are saying it's better though depending on the application you want to use?

Lance

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Aug 3, 2005 | 02:30 PM

CJK440

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Well the gap really shouldn't be any different since the spark still needs to arc the same. Its just you don't have that groundstrap shielding the spark kernal which supposedly ignites the fuel mixture better.

Same concept as indexing plugs, setting them so that when tightened down the vertical part of the ground strap isn't in the way of the air fuel "squish".