#1178948 - 04/29/07 11:55 AM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: JCG1]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 2093
Loc: North Carolina
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JCG1, as usual, you are a wealth of knowledge, and I am serious. Yet my one burning question remains: Do you, in fact, leave platinum and double plat plugs with the gaps as they came from the factory, or do you check and reset the gaps like non-plat plugs? And if you do in fact need to check and reset the gaps on plat plugs, what is the best/safest way to do so?
As always, thanks in advance.
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2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.
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#1179010 - 04/29/07 02:49 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: BigNSlow]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 2093
Loc: North Carolina
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I have never used a torque wrench either, yet. But I do intend to buy one before I do another set of plugs. I am on my fourth 4.6 P71 now, and never used a torque wrench. But I certainly don't suggest that others follow this practice.
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2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.
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#1179067 - 04/29/07 04:48 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: Virginiamountainman]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 07/03/03
Posts: 1725
Loc: Chicago
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I took one out to inspect it really fast and snugged it back by hand . . . but it bugged me for weeks. You know, I've got two answers on that plat question, but I hope to have a definitive answer in a day . . . I always run simple v-gap's BUT TonyTheBrit has convinced me to try a set of plats - so I have a set sitting here . . . with your same question (and also waiting on an opinion about whether I should presume I need to narrow it up or try them out with the stock gap first). AND I can't believe I didn't think to link A-Trains: Spark Plugs 101 {click} in the tech section.
Edited by JCG1 (04/29/07 04:48 PM)
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Former Ford Projects: 1967 Mustang w/transplant 351W : 1984 302 T-Bird : 1987 5.0 T-Bird : 1989 5.0 Mustang : 1992 5.0 T-Bird : Current: 2000 CVPIRenegade Racing 4.6 SOHC: Cobra Crank, Manley Rods, Coated Diamond Pistons 10.5:1 comp w/valve reliefs, PnP npi heads, PI intake, Comp Cams, 70mm TB, MM Airbox/80mmMAF/04 Zip, 190lph walbro, FRPP shortys, custom 2.25 duals, Xcal2, Jmod RoadmasterTranz, Dirtyd0g TC. 14.46 @ 95.59 / 14.50 @ 95.91 tuned by Darrin at BC Automotive
Watch a 14.58 @ 94.13 Vid by DJChicago HERE
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#1179179 - 04/29/07 08:08 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: JCG1]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 2093
Loc: North Carolina
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Didn't I hear that NGK Iridiums are good (supposedly) for another 2 or 3 HP? If they will run 75 to 80,000 miles on a set, that may be my choice next time around. I try to limit the number of times I change plugs, with our heads as they are.
_________________________
2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.
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#1179308 - 04/29/07 10:38 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: Virginiamountainman]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 07/03/03
Posts: 1725
Loc: Chicago
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you know, I meant iridium, but for some reason I typed plat.
Edited by JCG1 (04/29/07 10:39 PM)
_________________________
Former Ford Projects: 1967 Mustang w/transplant 351W : 1984 302 T-Bird : 1987 5.0 T-Bird : 1989 5.0 Mustang : 1992 5.0 T-Bird : Current: 2000 CVPIRenegade Racing 4.6 SOHC: Cobra Crank, Manley Rods, Coated Diamond Pistons 10.5:1 comp w/valve reliefs, PnP npi heads, PI intake, Comp Cams, 70mm TB, MM Airbox/80mmMAF/04 Zip, 190lph walbro, FRPP shortys, custom 2.25 duals, Xcal2, Jmod RoadmasterTranz, Dirtyd0g TC. 14.46 @ 95.59 / 14.50 @ 95.91 tuned by Darrin at BC Automotive
Watch a 14.58 @ 94.13 Vid by DJChicago HERE
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#1179310 - 04/29/07 10:41 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: BigJon]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 07/03/03
Posts: 1725
Loc: Chicago
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.32, wow, that's a lot of gap  well, you know, with the special COPS on the COP motor . . . what's a decimal point between threads
Edited by JCG1 (04/29/07 10:42 PM)
_________________________
Former Ford Projects: 1967 Mustang w/transplant 351W : 1984 302 T-Bird : 1987 5.0 T-Bird : 1989 5.0 Mustang : 1992 5.0 T-Bird : Current: 2000 CVPIRenegade Racing 4.6 SOHC: Cobra Crank, Manley Rods, Coated Diamond Pistons 10.5:1 comp w/valve reliefs, PnP npi heads, PI intake, Comp Cams, 70mm TB, MM Airbox/80mmMAF/04 Zip, 190lph walbro, FRPP shortys, custom 2.25 duals, Xcal2, Jmod RoadmasterTranz, Dirtyd0g TC. 14.46 @ 95.59 / 14.50 @ 95.91 tuned by Darrin at BC Automotive
Watch a 14.58 @ 94.13 Vid by DJChicago HERE
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#1179318 - 04/29/07 10:49 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: JCG1]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 02/01/04
Posts: 2974
Loc: Powder keg, giving off sparks
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so what will happen if anti seize was used and the plugs were snugged with a rachet?
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#1179361 - 04/29/07 11:29 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: whitechocolate]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 07/03/03
Posts: 1725
Loc: Chicago
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so what will happen if anti seize was used and the plugs were snugged with a rachet? ok, the red car in your sig . . . 10x worse :lol3: As long as you didn't crossthread (and merely think you're tight and fully seated) and/or didn't tighten the piss out of the threads and strip them . . . nothing. The anti-seize has the ability to mask the crossthread condition and encourage you to overtighten Iridium spark plugs generally are able to run a larger gap while allegedly requiring less voltage. If you need to regap Iridium spark plugs (e.g if misfire or blowout occurs due to gap being too large) be careful. Do not use a slide type gapping tool or put pressure on the center electrode in any way.
To open the gap, carefully use a pair of fine needlenose pliers or the proper gapping tool (not slide type for Iridium or other fine wire types) to bend the ground electrode outward, away from the center electrode. Take care not to contact the insulator or the center electrode. Use a feeler guage to check for the correct gap size. To close the gap, tap the ground electrode gently on a hard surface and then open the gap to the required setting. There we both go VMM.
Edited by JCG1 (04/29/07 11:33 PM)
_________________________
Former Ford Projects: 1967 Mustang w/transplant 351W : 1984 302 T-Bird : 1987 5.0 T-Bird : 1989 5.0 Mustang : 1992 5.0 T-Bird : Current: 2000 CVPIRenegade Racing 4.6 SOHC: Cobra Crank, Manley Rods, Coated Diamond Pistons 10.5:1 comp w/valve reliefs, PnP npi heads, PI intake, Comp Cams, 70mm TB, MM Airbox/80mmMAF/04 Zip, 190lph walbro, FRPP shortys, custom 2.25 duals, Xcal2, Jmod RoadmasterTranz, Dirtyd0g TC. 14.46 @ 95.59 / 14.50 @ 95.91 tuned by Darrin at BC Automotive
Watch a 14.58 @ 94.13 Vid by DJChicago HERE
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#1179376 - 04/29/07 11:55 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: JCG1]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 02/01/04
Posts: 2974
Loc: Powder keg, giving off sparks
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I used the rubber tube to start them, so the cross thread should not be a problem and the directions on the plug box said "finger tight, then 1/16 of a turn" and thats what I did.
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#1179764 - 04/30/07 06:11 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: JCG1]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 2093
Loc: North Carolina
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so what will happen if anti seize was used and the plugs were snugged with a rachet? ok, the red car in your sig . . . 10x worse :lol3: As long as you didn't crossthread (and merely think you're tight and fully seated) and/or didn't tighten the piss out of the threads and strip them . . . nothing. The anti-seize has the ability to mask the crossthread condition and encourage you to overtighten Iridium spark plugs generally are able to run a larger gap while allegedly requiring less voltage. If you need to regap Iridium spark plugs (e.g if misfire or blowout occurs due to gap being too large) be careful. Do not use a slide type gapping tool or put pressure on the center electrode in any way.
To open the gap, carefully use a pair of fine needlenose pliers or the proper gapping tool (not slide type for Iridium or other fine wire types) to bend the ground electrode outward, away from the center electrode. Take care not to contact the insulator or the center electrode. Use a feeler guage to check for the correct gap size. To close the gap, tap the ground electrode gently on a hard surface and then open the gap to the required setting. There we both go VMM. And I thankya, sir. Any idea who sells a decent gapping tool? Also, does anyone know what kind of mileage a set of Iridiums will run before needing replacement?
_________________________
2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.
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#1180008 - 04/30/07 11:03 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: Virginiamountainman]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 02/01/04
Posts: 2974
Loc: Powder keg, giving off sparks
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likewise how much mileage will i get out of the single platinums?
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#1180310 - 05/01/07 03:40 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: Virginiamountainman]
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Insert Title Here
Poobah
Registered: 01/26/06
Posts: 5346
Loc: Virginia
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And I thankya, sir. Any idea who sells a decent gapping tool?
I suggest the double ended wire style tool
Edited by mblazakep (05/01/07 03:41 PM)
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RebelVic2000:"Remember, Panthers are mostly owned by old people who don't understand internet talk."  2000 P71 100k mis. (DC-Metro unit 333)  PI intake, Teh MZT, Remote start w/ keyless entry, Heinous RCAs, Bilsteins 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 318 5spd. 180k mis. SJ class II 3", Accel coil, Hughes Engines plenum kit, 2-1/2" stainless exaust, free flow cat, flowmaster 40 series
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#1180461 - 05/01/07 07:18 PM
Re: Spark plug gap
[Re: mblazakep]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 2093
Loc: North Carolina
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And I thankya, sir. Any idea who sells a decent gapping tool?
I suggest the double ended wire style tool Thanks for the link. I believe the one you mentioned only goes to .040 though. Still a great link, and they have another one that goes to .080.
_________________________
2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.
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Member Since: 07/14/12
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