The Ford Barn

Grumps · 08-27-2022, 06:53 PM

What is the correct gap setting. I have been looking in the Red Book by Les Andrews and haven't been able to find it.

Grumps

lotsagas4u · 08-27-2022, 07:26 PM

.035

nkaminar · 08-27-2022, 07:58 PM

The gap is not set in stone. You can experiment with it. 0.035 is a starting point. If I remember correctly the car will idle better with a wider gap. But a wider gap will need a hotter coil.

Grumps · 08-27-2022, 08:08 PM

Thanks. The old plugs were in bad shape so I'm changing them tomorrow.

Patrick L. · 08-28-2022, 07:57 AM

Yep, .030-,035" is just fine.

BrianH · 08-29-2022, 10:43 AM

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If you have a high compression head gap them on the small size.

Bob Bidonde · 08-29-2022, 11:59 AM

Reduce the 0.035" gap for a hi-compression head. In the Ford Service Bulletin of August 1932, Ford specified an 0.030" plug gap for the Model B cylinder head that has a 4.6:1 compression ratio, and a gap of 0.025" for Model A Police Head which has a compression ratio of 5.5:1.

nkaminar · 08-29-2022, 04:40 PM

Race cars run a big gap and a powerful ignition system. They know that the large powerful spark ignites the air/fuel better.

Patrick L. · 08-30-2022, 06:51 AM

There are engines that need to run with ground wire removed. I've made that mistake before. When they burn off they get tangled up with stuff on the way out.

Big hammer · 08-30-2022, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

There are engines that need to run with ground wire removed. I've made that mistake before. When they burn off they get tangled up with stuff on the way out.

Are you referring to the shipping protectors? LOL Work hired a young man to work on ground equipment, one tug came in running and after he tuned it up it would not run. After awhile someone pulled the spark plugs and the young man said he removed the shipping protectors as he was walking out the door.

Patrick L. · 08-30-2022, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Are you referring to the shipping protectors? LOL Work hired a young man to work on ground equipment, one tug came in running and after he tuned it up it would not run. After awhile someone pulled the spark plugs and the young man said he removed the shipping protectors as he was walking out the door.

Nope, the side ground electrodes. Certain engines run on certain fuel will burn them off and let the little pieces rattle around bending things.

Big hammer · 08-30-2022, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Nope, the side ground electrodes. Certain engines run on certain fuel will burn them off and let the little pieces rattle around bending things.

Yes that’s what the non mechanic broke off, the ground straps or as he said the shipping protectors!

Patrick L. · 08-31-2022, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Yes that’s what the non mechanic broke off, the ground straps or as he said the shipping protectors!

LOL ! Now I understand, I'm kinda slow sometimes, well, most times. Those little thingys are 'shipping protectors' ? See, learn something every day.

Whatever coil a Model A uses it would have a hard time finding a ground to jump to with those thingys cut off wouldn't it.

08-27-2022, 06:53 PM	#1
Grumps Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 88	Spark plug gap? What is the correct gap setting. I have been looking in the Red Book by Les Andrews and haven't been able to find it. Grumps

08-27-2022, 07:26 PM	#2
lotsagas4u Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Plainview, Texas Posts: 757	Re: Spark plug gap? .035

08-27-2022, 07:58 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Spark plug gap? The gap is not set in stone. You can experiment with it. 0.035 is a starting point. If I remember correctly the car will idle better with a wider gap. But a wider gap will need a hotter coil. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 08-27-2022 at 08:06 PM.

08-27-2022, 08:08 PM	#4
Grumps Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 88	Re: Spark plug gap? Thanks. The old plugs were in bad shape so I'm changing them tomorrow.

08-28-2022, 07:57 AM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Spark plug gap? Yep, .030-,035" is just fine.

08-29-2022, 10:43 AM	#6
BrianH Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Santa Ana, Cal 92704 Posts: 89	Re: Spark plug gap? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you have a high compression head gap them on the small size.

08-29-2022, 11:59 AM	#7
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,470	Re: Spark plug gap? Reduce the 0.035" gap for a hi-compression head. In the Ford Service Bulletin of August 1932, Ford specified an 0.030" plug gap for the Model B cylinder head that has a 4.6:1 compression ratio, and a gap of 0.025" for Model A Police Head which has a compression ratio of 5.5:1. __________________ Bob Bidonde

08-29-2022, 04:40 PM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Spark plug gap? Race cars run a big gap and a powerful ignition system. They know that the large powerful spark ignites the air/fuel better. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-30-2022, 06:51 AM	#9
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Spark plug gap? There are engines that need to run with ground wire removed. I've made that mistake before. When they burn off they get tangled up with stuff on the way out.