Gapping plugs
09-06-2008, 08:40 PM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location:
Posts: 111
Gapping plugs
When you buy new spark plugs are they already gapped? I got a set of new ford platnum plugs and I was wondering if they were or not? Also if you make more power by putting more bolt ons should u gap your a little more or less. The reason why I am asking this is cause sometimes when im on the gas and shift sometimes I think I hear a backfire. My upgrades are in my sig.
09-07-2008, 11:07 AM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Daphne, AL
Posts: 273
I went to put new plugs in the other day and they were motorcraft platinum for a stang, but as soon as i started to put them in, my dad told me that there should be a washer around the plug... any one know if this is true??
09-07-2008, 11:16 AM
#6
TECH SAVANT
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Saint Augustine, FL
Posts: 10,938
Not so, our cars use tapered seat plugs that do not use gasket washers.
09-07-2008, 11:38 AM
#8
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 2,663
Spark plugs are pre gapped, but considering how they are banged around when being shipped it is always a good idea to check them, dont just throw them in. I work at a parts store and spark plugs are dropped all the time which could easily mess up the gap.
"Im pretty sure your not supposed to gap platinum plugs anyway."
What the plug is made of doesn't affect if you gap it or not. All single prong plugs, whether copper or platinum, need to be gapped. The only spark plugs you wouldnt gap would be the multi-pronged ones, which are usually made of platinum.
"Im pretty sure your not supposed to gap platinum plugs anyway."
What the plug is made of doesn't affect if you gap it or not. All single prong plugs, whether copper or platinum, need to be gapped. The only spark plugs you wouldnt gap would be the multi-pronged ones, which are usually made of platinum.
09-07-2008, 12:37 PM
#9
TECH SAVANT
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Saint Augustine, FL
Posts: 10,938
Some manufacturer's will say their plugs are pre-gapped, however they all have disclaimers stating that you should check the gap and make certain it's right for your car.
NGK comes right out and says they are not pre-gapped, from NGK's website:
NGK comes right out and says they are not pre-gapped, from NGK's website:
3. Gapping
Since the gap size has a direct affect on the spark plug's tip temperature
and on the voltage necessary to ionize (light) the air/fuel mixture, careful attention is required. While it is a popular misconception that plugs are pre-gapped from the factory, the fact remains that the gap must be adjusted for the vehicle that the spark plug is intended for. Those with modified engines must remember that a modified engine with higher compression or forced induction will typically require a smaller gap settings (to ensure ignitability
in these denser air/fuel mixtures). As a rule, the more power you are making, the smaller the gap you will need.
Since the gap size has a direct affect on the spark plug's tip temperature
and on the voltage necessary to ionize (light) the air/fuel mixture, careful attention is required. While it is a popular misconception that plugs are pre-gapped from the factory, the fact remains that the gap must be adjusted for the vehicle that the spark plug is intended for. Those with modified engines must remember that a modified engine with higher compression or forced induction will typically require a smaller gap settings (to ensure ignitability
in these denser air/fuel mixtures). As a rule, the more power you are making, the smaller the gap you will need.
