Notices

351M spark plug gap?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 11:34 PM
  #1  
OrangeJuice's Avatar
OrangeJuice
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
Question 351M spark plug gap?

Hello,

Can anyone please tell me what the spark plug gap for a 351M engine is?


Thank You
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 07:47 AM
  #2  
firstonraceday's Avatar
firstonraceday
Laughing Gas
25 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 780
Likes: 18
From: East Texas
With the factory Duraspark ignition, .042 - .046
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 10:10 AM
  #3  
skunktruck's Avatar
skunktruck
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Riley, KS
hi sorry to buzz in. what do you think the gap should be when running an MSD system?
thanks
jim
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 11:36 AM
  #4  
OrangeJuice's Avatar
OrangeJuice
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
This truck has the factory ignition spark set-up. So, sounds like .042 - .046 will work?
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 12:34 PM
  #5  
skunktruck's Avatar
skunktruck
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Riley, KS
Hey OrangeJuice,
My 78 400 is set at .44 i belive i read that in some manuel
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 02:51 PM
  #6  
firstonraceday's Avatar
firstonraceday
Laughing Gas
25 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 780
Likes: 18
From: East Texas
Originally Posted by OrangeJuice
This truck has the factory ignition spark set-up. So, sounds like .042 - .046 will work?
Yes, somewhere in that range. I generally gap mine at .044.

As far as aftermarket ignitions (Mallory, MSD, Crane, Jacobs, etc.), some recommend opening up the gap due to more electrical current being available with their system. You'd just need to play with the gap based on the recommendations of the respective manufacturers.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 09:34 PM
  #7  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
I believe 42-46 is correct, there should be a sticker on the radiator support and/or valve
cover that should specify.
 
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2009 | 06:47 PM
  #8  
Red Ford Truck's Avatar
Red Ford Truck
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Talking I run a MSD Street Fire and TFI coil.........

Originally Posted by skunktruck
hi sorry to buzz in. what do you think the gap should be when running an MSD system?
thanks
jim
I run 8.5 mm wires and premium cap and rotor and have my plugs gaped at .60 the truck runs great with smooth idle and great performance.

The TFI coil is the difference, I could have bought a Blaster oil filled coil but the TFI Ford coil does a better job and you can pick one up at the auto wreckers for cheap, also make sure you remove the resistor form the ignition wiring it has one, the one that goes to the coil.

Rick.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 14, 2009 | 06:51 PM
  #9  
skunktruck's Avatar
skunktruck
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Riley, KS
so you think going from .44 to .50ish might lean it out a bit?
 
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2009 | 09:57 PM
  #10  
Red Ford Truck's Avatar
Red Ford Truck
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Yes I do believe.

Originally Posted by skunktruck
so you think going from .44 to .50ish might lean it out a bit?
Because it is multiple Spark Discharge(MSD) with the wider gap and longer spark jump time I believe the air fuel mixture will burn more completely or less raw fuel unburned.

You still require a good coil to give a great spark in order for this to work.


Rick.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2009 | 09:51 PM
  #11  
blue350's Avatar
blue350
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by skunktruck
hi sorry to buzz in. what do you think the gap should be when running an MSD system?
thanks
jim
Should be .10 more so aroun .50 to .54
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2012 | 02:03 PM
  #12  
misfit1981's Avatar
misfit1981
New User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
1978 F150 4x4 351m/400

I'm running a Mallory Dist, Accel Cap/rotor, and MSD 8.5 wires...
What should my gap be?

Also what is the 351m speck for spark plug torque?

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2012 | 03:28 PM
  #13  
mustang81's Avatar
mustang81
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 883
Likes: 7
From: New-brunswick,Canada
7-15ft.lbs.for 14mm and 15-20ft.lbs. for 18mm plugs.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2012 | 10:51 AM
  #14  
misfit1981's Avatar
misfit1981
New User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by mustang81
7-15ft.lbs.for 14mm and 15-20ft.lbs. for 18mm plugs.

Thank you! Time for a new torque wrench...
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2019 | 09:35 AM
  #15  
66point6's Avatar
66point6
New User
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2 different factory settings but bigger is better



Originally Posted by OrangeJuice
Hello,

Can anyone please tell me what the spark plug gap for a 351M engine is?


Thank You
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:55 PM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE