gapping spark plugs - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

11-29-2001, 06:59 PM

how do u gap a spark plug?

240racer · 11-29-2001, 07:14 PM

you can get the tool at any car parts store.  the blade type also called a feeler gauge is the one I've used most.  just use the blade that is the same size as the gap you are trying to achieve and slide it between the two electrodes.  if the blade fits loosly, tap the electrode on somthing hard to bend it down a little and if it is too tight, then pry it out a little. the blade should fit pretty snug.  also, if the size you need is bigger then any one blade you can combine them, just by adding the sizes

Arcane · 11-29-2001, 08:58 PM

yeah...the tools come in the blade form or a big coin looking form...i don't know about the blade but the coin is about $1.25 at kragen...i think...

Strider · 11-29-2001, 09:07 PM

What does Gapping the spark plug do?

*LanceS13* · 11-29-2001, 10:30 PM

It's just something you set to factory specs.  
In engines with a low compression ratio, i.e., in which the combustion mixture is not so greatly compressed, the distance between the electrodes is made larger: this produces a longer spark, which can more readily ignite the mixture than a shorter one can. Since a highly compressed gas presents a higher resistance to the spark, a smaller spark gap is employed with high compression ratios.

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11-29-2001, 06:59 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	how do u gap a spark plug?

11-29-2001, 07:14 PM	#2
240racer Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Age: 46 Posts: 574 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you can get the tool at any car parts store.  the blade type also called a feeler gauge is the one I've used most.  just use the blade that is the same size as the gap you are trying to achieve and slide it between the two electrodes.  if the blade fits loosly, tap the electrode on somthing hard to bend it down a little and if it is too tight, then pry it out a little. the blade should fit pretty snug.  also, if the size you need is bigger then any one blade you can combine them, just by adding the sizes

11-29-2001, 08:58 PM	#3
Arcane Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 597 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yeah...the tools come in the blade form or a big coin looking form...i don't know about the blade but the coin is about $1.25 at kragen...i think...

11-29-2001, 09:07 PM	#4
Strider Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: SoCal, Corona Posts: 461 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What does Gapping the spark plug do?

11-29-2001, 10:30 PM	#5
LanceS13 AutoX Junkie Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: MS Age: 43 Posts: 2,044 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's just something you set to factory specs.   In engines with a low compression ratio, i.e., in which the combustion mixture is not so greatly compressed, the distance between the electrodes is made larger: this produces a longer spark, which can more readily ignite the mixture than a shorter one can. Since a highly compressed gas presents a higher resistance to the spark, a smaller spark gap is employed with high compression ratios.