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Old 05-27-2013, 03:01 PM   #1
28 fast faton
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Default Plug gap

I just installed my new HC head and was wondering what to set plug gap at fit TT10 plugs
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Old 05-27-2013, 09:48 PM   #2
Rich in Tucson
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Default Re: Plug gap

I run a BF HC head with cylinder overbore that results in a calculated CR of 6.2:1 or so. With standard 6V ignition and coil, I get great performance with spark plug gaps of 0.035-0.025, it does not seem to make a difference as long as I have clean points and a distributor point gap of 0.019+.

As far as proper heat range goes, in my engine Champion W16Y, TT10, or original and repro Champion 3Xs were too cold and affected performance negatively. Champion W18s are burning at the proper heat range and performance is great at a gap of 0.030 which I set as an initial test point and see no need to change.

I would advise sorting out which plug gives proper heat range for good performance before sorting out plug gap.
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Old 05-27-2013, 09:55 PM   #3
28 fast faton
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Default Re: Plug gap

My current plugs are look black around the electrode. Does this mean I am burning too cold? Thanks foe your reply
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Old 05-27-2013, 09:57 PM   #4
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Default Re: Plug gap

I have a stock head and engine and have found the same thing as Rich. As I recall the well used temporary has Champion W16Y's and is burning a light tan, and never misses a beat. Any thing from .025 to .035 is fine with me.
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Old 05-27-2013, 09:59 PM   #5
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Default Re: Plug gap

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Originally Posted by 28 fast faton View Post
My current plugs are look black around the electrode. Does this mean I am burning too cold? Thanks foe your reply
Too cold or too rich. How is the fuel mileage? You should get 16 to 18 in town and 20 to 22 on the highway.
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Old 05-27-2013, 10:19 PM   #6
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Default Re: Plug gap

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Fuel consumption seems normal. If its rich do I bend the float down a little to lower the fuel level in the key?
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Old 05-27-2013, 10:48 PM   #7
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: Plug gap

I didn't have good luck with the Motor craft TT10 plugs, they were way too cold and flooded very easily. The W16Y Champion was also too cold for our type of driving. I use the Champion W18 , they run clean and make a noticeable improvement. I gap all of my model A spark plugs at .035. A weak ignition or coil will work better with a smaller gap, with a hot performance type coil, you can open the gap farther with good results.

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Old 05-28-2013, 11:54 AM   #8
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Default Re: Plug gap

Rich: Are you running modern points or standard? Should there be a difference in point gap between the two? And, will it vary between a HC head and standard head?

Mike
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Old 05-28-2013, 12:35 PM   #9
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Default Re: Plug gap

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Originally Posted by 28 fast faton View Post
Fuel consumption seems normal. If its rich do I bend the float down a little to lower the fuel level in the key?
No. Adjust the fuel mixture with the GAV (Gas, Air, Valve). Turnining the GAV enriches or leans the fuel.
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Old 05-28-2013, 01:32 PM   #10
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Plug gap

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Originally Posted by 29er View Post
Rich: Are you running modern points or standard? Should there be a difference in point gap between the two? And, will it vary between a HC head and standard head?

Mike
No difference, as the points are .020".
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Old 05-28-2013, 08:07 PM   #11
Rich in Tucson
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Default Re: Plug gap

I run standard, original points and as Tom said, no difference in gap for other points. I have worked on cars with the modern points plate but see no advantage to them and in fact they are more troublesome in my experience due to problematic connections to the lower plate and I find them more finicky while adjusting the points gap. Good quality condensers are available now, and the original rationale (I believe) for adopting the modern points plate set up which was to move the condenser to a cooler location is no longer tenable.

Finally, if the car sits unused for a month or more, cleaning the points by simply pulling some stiff paper through them never hurts. New (or used) old points that have been sitting for 40 years or so may have infinite resistance out of the box and need to be cleaned for use.
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Old 05-29-2013, 07:56 AM   #12
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Default Re: Plug gap

"problematic connections to the lower plate"

In the past, when installing the "modern" upper plate I always installed a longer pig tail wire to the lower plate first. Makes connecting much easier.
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Old 05-29-2013, 08:46 AM   #13
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Default Re: Plug gap

To the original question, this has been posted previously:

Spark Plug Gap
.035" (A6050A cylinder head)
.030" (B6050 cylinder head)
.025" (A6050B cylinder head)
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