Timing and Plug Gap
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 974
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Timing and Plug Gap
I have heard that some Ford mechanics state that gapping the plugs at .055 instead of .044 help with the engine in mileage and power. Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone really tried this cheap mod?
Also, I know that playing with the timing can produce different mileage and power values. Has anyone adjusted the timing from the Ford spec and seen an improvement? If so, where did you set the timing? It seems that from speaking with some mechanic friends, I should play with the timing as I live in Denver, which equals high altitude and less power.
Also, I know that playing with the timing can produce different mileage and power values. Has anyone adjusted the timing from the Ford spec and seen an improvement? If so, where did you set the timing? It seems that from speaking with some mechanic friends, I should play with the timing as I live in Denver, which equals high altitude and less power.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 352
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From: Denver USA
Timing and Plug Gap
I've made a post about the plug gap below...
When I installed the MSD 6A box, Coil, and NGK plugs gapped to .055", my HC (unburnt fuel) reading was actually lower than my 93 Civic, so I think that it should help out with the gas mileage as long as there are no misfires.
When I installed the MSD 6A box, Coil, and NGK plugs gapped to .055", my HC (unburnt fuel) reading was actually lower than my 93 Civic, so I think that it should help out with the gas mileage as long as there are no misfires.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
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Timing and Plug Gap
>Whats involved with those high altitude packages that
>vehicles are equipped with in these mile high places? Must
>invlove some these things, dont they?
According to one of my Ford emissions books,it is noted that High Altitude specs has a reference point of about 5000ft above sea level.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
>vehicles are equipped with in these mile high places? Must
>invlove some these things, dont they?
According to one of my Ford emissions books,it is noted that High Altitude specs has a reference point of about 5000ft above sea level.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, NC
Timing and Plug Gap
I asked a guy thats been working on Fords for over 20 years. What would help my mileage most. He said to gap plugs at 54. My truck is all stock, I'm also in N.C.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 2
Timing and Plug Gap
Opening the sparkplug gaps up work fine, as long as this dosen't cause misfires. If it does, then an aftermarket coil is needed. Most of the MSD, Jacobs, Mallory, etc, put out around 40-50Kv. This is plenty of voltage to fire a gap of .050-055". Low resistance sparkplug wires will also allow for a wider gap.
Adding a better coil and wires is the best/cheapest ignition upgrade you can do, IMHO...
Adding a better coil and wires is the best/cheapest ignition upgrade you can do, IMHO...
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Denver USA
Timing and Plug Gap
I think that the stock unit might be able to handle .054 but you may not have any margin left for electrode wear and increased demand of high RPM operation. Remember that larger gaps require higher voltage to fire and higher voltage wears down the spark plugs faster. I'd say give it a try using copper plugs as copper is a better conductor than platinum
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