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-   -   Spark plug gap...How much does it really matter? (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-q/286698-spark-plug-gap-how-much-does-really-matter.html)

OldSchool 10-21-2012 01:36 PM

Spark plug gap...How much does it really matter?
 
Did a bonehead thing yesterday :rolleyes:

I changed the plugs in my Cig. On the port engine, I gapped all of the plugs. They were out of the box right at .035 and I set them at .040. Got done with the starboard engine and realized that I completely forgot to set the gap, most likely because I was in a hurry......and was bleeding all over the place from a phucking hose clamp slicing my hand. :angry-smiley-038:

My question is, does it really matter? If it does, no problem. I just pull them out and gap them and throw 'em back in. Didn't seems to affect performance at all. We managed to do a 6000rpm flyby of the neighborhood.....just to pizz off the sailboters. :D:D:evilb::evilb:

waybomb 10-21-2012 02:10 PM

If ya pizzed off the bloboaters, you did good.....
Go do it again, just to make sure everything is alright.

Hematite 10-21-2012 02:30 PM

I'd leave them alone, the .005 difference is not going to be noticeable.

Unlimited jd 10-21-2012 03:17 PM

Naturally aspirated, doesn't matter a whole lot,.005 that is, blower or turbo, pull em out

obnoxus 10-21-2012 05:38 PM

wanna have some fun,,,,,go get spark plug gappers from auto zone,,,then orilies,,,then pep boys,,,,,gap plugs,,,,then check them with a feeler guage

kvogt 10-21-2012 05:57 PM

your fine. just run'em

redbud35 10-21-2012 07:44 PM

Why does it matter in a blower motor app?

mike tkach 10-21-2012 08:22 PM

i run mine .035 to .040 on both of my blown boats,back in the drag racing days [blown alcohol] i gapped them at .020 and used a msd 20 magneto.

Griswald 10-21-2012 09:02 PM


Originally Posted by redbud35 (Post 3799906)
Why does it matter in a blower motor app?

increased cylinder pressure blows the flame out across the larger gap

f_inscreenname 10-21-2012 10:51 PM

I would reset them or you just through your money away. By the time you wrote and posted this you could have had it done.

redbud35 10-22-2012 07:58 PM


Originally Posted by Griswald (Post 3799948)
increased cylinder pressure blows the flame out across the larger gap

Makes sense. Thanks

Rookie 10-22-2012 09:53 PM


Originally Posted by f_inscreenname (Post 3799990)
I would reset them or you just through your money away.

Can you explain this to me??

Rookie 10-22-2012 09:55 PM


Originally Posted by f_inscreenname (Post 3799990)
I would reset them or you just through your money away.

Can you explain this to me how he through his money away? He stated everything ran fine.

mike tkach 10-22-2012 11:18 PM


Originally Posted by Rookie (Post 3800694)
Can you explain this to me how he through his money away? He stated everything ran fine.

i was thinking the same thing,cant wait to see his answer,maybe il learn something new!

f_inscreenname 10-23-2012 12:03 AM

I sense a little "I know more then you do" condemnation in your posts.
Did you read the original post?


Originally Posted by OldSchool (Post 3799731)
Did a bonehead thing yesterday :rolleyes:

I changed the plugs in my Cig. On the port engine, I gapped all of the plugs. They were out of the box right at .035 and I set them at .040. Got done with the starboard engine and realized that I completely forgot to set the gap, most likely because I was in a hurry......and was bleeding all over the place from a phucking hose clamp slicing my hand. :angry-smiley-038:

My question is, does it really matter? If it does, no problem. I just pull them out and gap them and throw 'em back in. Didn't seems to affect performance at all. We managed to do a 6000rpm flyby of the neighborhood.....just to pizz off the sailboters. :D:D:evilb::evilb:

So what you all are saying is that there is no reason in setting a plug gap? What ever comes out of the box is good enough for you. .020, .030, .040 whats the big deal? I'm sure it ran fine before he changed the plugs and it runs fine now so who cares. I guess the question is why change the plugs at all? I'm not saying that if you are a hair off that it will be catastrophic but why bother installing new plugs and have no clue what they are set at. Annnnnndddddddd believe it or not but a lot of people have done a lot of research to figure out what the proper plug gap should be for what you have or build but I guess you all know better with your guesses of what is in there. Just maybe (cause none of you including the installer have a clue whats in the second motor) if there is one plug just closed or open a little to much that will drop performance just enough to negate the cost of the plugs out of the box. Also we are talking about twin motors and I do everything possible to make them exact. Knowing what he set the first motor at (.040) and the second motor is set at .035 from the box they don't match.
Last, plugs are the most basic of basic motor upkeep and not to install them right is plane out lazy.
Maybe he got lucky but I wouldn't spend 25 bucks on plugs and then install them and not know if they were gapped properly. Just remind me never have you guys do a tune up for me.

mike tkach 10-23-2012 07:08 AM

do you really think .005 is going to make any difference ?because it wont.:food-smiley-007:.and as he stated,NO DIFFERENCE IN PERFORMANCE.i dont know what he has for ignition system,but stock merc ignition will fire the plug with .020 or .060 gap.IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.


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