RE: Gap or not to Gap
08-19-16, 06:33 AM
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
RE: Gap or not to Gap
To Gap or not to Gap..I wanted to share with all of you what I have read (on the internet) and my experiences 40 years of working on cars and high performance Outboards (I raced).Firstly, time for a plug change. I ordered Denso OEM’s for my GS 350, it was time according to mileage.
Target gap is .044 I ordered 8 of them (yes two spares ‘cause I know better). I grabbed a cup of coffee sat at the kitchen table (my girlfriend wasn’t home), a towel and opened a box. The first plug the cathode was bent at a 10 degree angle and a gap of .050+ (I was surprised). This isn’t going in my car and I won’t attempt to adjust, so in the garbage. Next plug, tight gap around .035, this is going off to the side. The third, again, .050, off to the side. Next, .044, this I could use. Fifth plug, I stopped at .035, on the side it goes. Next, .044, ok.. The seventh plug .050, joins the others on the side and finally the last @ .044
What I have read is these plugs are NOT GAPPABLE.. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GAP OR DAMAGE MAY OCCUR! So, question, would any of us install these above plugs out of the box straight in to the engine?
According to the internet (everything you read is true) you are to install these regardless. If you cannot gap these, I would throw 5 plugs in the garbage and order 5 new replacements (that’s nearly $100.00 in plugs).
I re-gapped all of them with a mini OEM 25341 all at .044 precisely. Checked them twice with a copper
blade @ .044. Installed them, opened up Techstream, went for a drive and no misfires on any cylinders recorded. One month later, opened Techstream once again and once again no misfires. Idles smooth and fuel mileage has creeped up a few.Gap those plugs if you need to! Check and re-check! Avoid the mis-fires you hear so much about!Thanks for reading..
Target gap is .044 I ordered 8 of them (yes two spares ‘cause I know better). I grabbed a cup of coffee sat at the kitchen table (my girlfriend wasn’t home), a towel and opened a box. The first plug the cathode was bent at a 10 degree angle and a gap of .050+ (I was surprised). This isn’t going in my car and I won’t attempt to adjust, so in the garbage. Next plug, tight gap around .035, this is going off to the side. The third, again, .050, off to the side. Next, .044, this I could use. Fifth plug, I stopped at .035, on the side it goes. Next, .044, ok.. The seventh plug .050, joins the others on the side and finally the last @ .044
What I have read is these plugs are NOT GAPPABLE.. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GAP OR DAMAGE MAY OCCUR! So, question, would any of us install these above plugs out of the box straight in to the engine?
According to the internet (everything you read is true) you are to install these regardless. If you cannot gap these, I would throw 5 plugs in the garbage and order 5 new replacements (that’s nearly $100.00 in plugs).
I re-gapped all of them with a mini OEM 25341 all at .044 precisely. Checked them twice with a copper
blade @ .044. Installed them, opened up Techstream, went for a drive and no misfires on any cylinders recorded. One month later, opened Techstream once again and once again no misfires. Idles smooth and fuel mileage has creeped up a few.Gap those plugs if you need to! Check and re-check! Avoid the mis-fires you hear so much about!Thanks for reading..
08-25-16, 07:57 PM
#5
Part of the reasoning for not gapping the plug is they don't want you to scratch or damage the iridium tips (or platinum depending on type) of the electrode... so be careful if you do decide to gap.
08-26-16, 07:45 AM
#6
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Good point..
Did mention copper blades for gapping? Excessive force would damage/bend the Iridium tips.. I've gapped at least 3 sets of these and never damaged the plug. Do not use gapping tools that have a pair of pliers for moving the gap. I use the small tool that comes with the blade set, this is the purpose of this tool it allows moving the ground electrode parallel to the surface of the plug so the electrode is level no matter what gap you set.
Did mention copper blades for gapping? Excessive force would damage/bend the Iridium tips.. I've gapped at least 3 sets of these and never damaged the plug. Do not use gapping tools that have a pair of pliers for moving the gap. I use the small tool that comes with the blade set, this is the purpose of this tool it allows moving the ground electrode parallel to the surface of the plug so the electrode is level no matter what gap you set.
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