Gapping Spark Plugs

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Jun 22, 2009 | 12:53 AM

SleeprLegend

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Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 249

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From: Moody, AL

Gapping Spark Plugs

Today I picked up some new spark plugs for my truck because I realized that I was not sure if they had ever been changed. I just got stock Autolites because they were out of Motocraft. The guy at Advance said to gap the plugs to .48. The Haynes says to gap the plugs to .44. The plugs came gaped at .44. The plugs I took out were gaped at .68 - .71. Now I am curious about the best gap for stock plugs in a stock engine. Are there any answers out there?

Jun 22, 2009 | 02:16 AM

jr32560

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2008

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From: southern md

you can't go by the plugs you pulled out-the gap increases over time-and I never go by what the plugs are gaped at out of the box-there should be a sticker under hood -that gives the correct gap for your application

Jun 22, 2009 | 05:33 AM

Jeff Dodson

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Angleton Tx.

I beleive the correct gap is .44, that is what you should gap them at

Jun 22, 2009 | 06:33 AM

jroehl

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Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Lafayette, IN

Actually, the underhood sticker says, '0.042 - 0.046 in'.

If you gap them to 0.042", then it will take longer for them to open up to 0.046" in the engine.

Jason

Jun 22, 2009 | 06:46 AM

subford

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From: Easton,Ks

The Spark Plug Gap for your truck is 0.052 - .056 in.
This is what your under hood sticker should say on your 95 5.0 engine.

Jun 22, 2009 | 12:44 PM

SleeprLegend

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 249

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From: Moody, AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by subford

The Spark Plug Gap for your truck is 0.052 - .056 in.
This is what your under hood sticker should say on your 95 5.0 engine.

I really don't want to pull those plugs again, but I got too. More fun in the heat for me today.

Jun 22, 2009 | 02:30 PM

jroehl

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Posts: 6,473

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From: Lafayette, IN

Well, he didn't say what year of truck, and most of the trucks in this era were 0.042-0.046". Both my '90 302 and '93 351 were.

Jason

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Jun 22, 2009 | 03:27 PM

jroehl

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From: Lafayette, IN

You just wanted to be more helpful, Bill!

Jason

Jun 22, 2009 | 06:46 PM

#10

SleeprLegend

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 249

Likes: 2

From: Moody, AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroehl

Well, he didn't say what year of truck, and most of the trucks in this era were 0.042-0.046". Both my '90 302 and '93 351 were.

Jason

My bad on that. I need to create a signature. I do have a 1995 5.0, just like the one with the image of the under hood sticker. Today I checked my truck, and there is no such sticker on my truck. I also pulled the plugs and regaped them to .058. She runs like a dream now. It is hard to compare to my short test drive last night with the plugs gaped at .048.

Thanks for all the help! I have plenty to do to this truck, so I will be around often.