Too big of a Spark Plug Gap?
 

What would too big of a spark plug gap do? I cut back the electrodes on my car, and now when I drive it, it surges at idle, and it seems to stumble under acceleration, and it makes a weird low booming sound as the rpm's go up. (It seems to follow the rpm's, in how many times per minute it happens)

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (TIMSPEED)
 

Too much of a gap could create a short or insufficient burn

what gap do you think you have?

A wider than suggested gap can provide a little more power with a sacrifice in fuel economy

Cutting the electrode has been tried many times since the early fifties both by us amateurs and the spark plug companies, maybe it works, maybe it doesn't

Not a criticism of those that are happy with cut plugs!

:seeya

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (TIMSPEED)
 

I had exactly the same problem. In my case, it was NOT the gap size.

It was a hairline crack in one of the new plugs.

I must have accidently put some pressure on the ceramic insulator when installing the plug.

Luckily, the first plug I took out to inspect was the cracked plug.

I reinstalled a new plug and she ran like a champ.


PS: Another thing I was checking for when I was trying to solve the problem was whether or not I had tightly reinstalled all of the plug boots on the plugs and whether or not I had accidently cracked a plug wire.


[Modified by Scott LeMuke, 8:58 PM 11/29/2001]

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (TIMSPEED)
 

With that ignition it should be able to handle .045" gap. Verify that all plug wires are solidly on and check any vacuum hoses that might have been touched.

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (65Z01)
 

I'm about 90% sure I cracked a plug actually. When I was putting on the #2 plug, I heard a loud "CRACK". So I took off the ratchet and felt the plug to see if I busted it. I didn't feel anything, but if that's what happened in your case, I'm about 90% sure that's what happened here. I have a messed up wire also though. It got a little "cracked" I guess is the word. It looks like it was cut into on one side a little. (It was burned though) I wrapped that area in electrical tape, so hopefully that will work. I'm gonna go check the plug right now. Thanks for the input!

Re-check your gap while you are at it. Did you put dielectric grease in the boots when hooking up the wires? I hope you used antiseeze also on them. :)

Re: (scorp508)
 

Replace the broken plug and also replace the bad wire you can't expect your car to run good with spark plug wires that are taped if it looks so bad that you thought it needed taped then it should be replaced.

Re: (black bart)
 

:yesnod: :yesnod:

Plugs wires need to contain huge amounts of voltage, that is why the insulator is so thick. Electrical tape cannot do this job. As Scorp said, if it is bad enough to be taped, it is really time to replace not repair it.

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (TIMSPEED)
 

I have a messed up wire also though. It got a little "cracked" I guess is the word. It looks like it was cut into on one side a little. (It was burned though) I wrapped that area in electrical tape,

Don't even waste your time. Replace ALL your plugs and wires ASAP. Just gap the plugs to spec and see how it runs.

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (Vetterin)
 

Timspeed, You had several posts that your car would'nt start. What was the problem? I take it by this post, you have the car running.
:confused: :confused:

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (Camvette)
 

I guess it was just the plugs were ALL fouled or something. I put in new plugs, and (Thanks TO LeMuke) I replaced that one that DID crack, and my car is running AWESOME! It even chirped the tires when shifting 1-2 at about ¼ throttle!

Re: Too big of a Spark Plug Gap? (TIMSPEED)
 

You are welcome! Happy to hear your car's runnin strong.

It's about time I'm able to help someone else on the forum after all the help I have received from the members. :) :)