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  sprak plug gap ... with msd ignition

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Author Topic:   sprak plug gap ... with msd ignition
trashline
Gearhead

Posts: 1217
From: Levittown, Pa
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-01-2004 11:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for trashline   Click Here to Email trashline     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
so i called msd tech support and i wanted to make sure the box was working inwhich it was. and he asked me how big my gap was and it was around 34 stock whatever for a 200ci forget the number off the top of my head but he told me to open them up to 50 to 60 and i noticed an increase in a bit of power is this to big ya think for a stock motor with msd. which burns a tid bit of oil.msd 6a by the way

[This message has been edited by trashline (edited 02-02-2004).]

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Pierre
Gearhead

Posts: 541
From: Near Paris, France
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 02-02-2004 05:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pierre   Click Here to Email Pierre     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You don't want the gap to be so small that the spark goes off early (+ it will be a short spark meaning less efficient)and you don't want it too big that it will missfire. With this in mind 55 is a good starting point with a CD box like the MSD one. The bigger the spark the more complete will be your combustion and the more efficient will be your engine and it won't hurt anything even on an old 200ci

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trashline
Gearhead

Posts: 1217
From: Levittown, Pa
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-02-2004 08:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for trashline   Click Here to Email trashline     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
i thought i read another forum saying 33-35 was good but i was amazed at the power increase from a different plug gap. i actully have them gapped at 53 and i havnt had any problems which i am happy about .

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Pierre
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Posts: 541
From: Near Paris, France
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 02-02-2004 09:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pierre   Click Here to Email Pierre     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by trashline:
i thought i read another forum saying 33-35 was good but i was amazed at the power increase from a different plug gap. i actully have them gapped at 53 and i havnt had any problems which i am happy about .

Yes 33/35 is good......for stock stuff. I had once a puncture in a plug wire (with the MSD system), the electrical arc that it created was well over an inch long and seemed extremely powerfull. From that point on 55 or 60 seemed to me like a trivial debate, I was more concerned that the spark may hit the piston

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indyphil
Gearhead

Posts: 2255
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 02-02-2004 10:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for indyphil   Click Here to Email indyphil     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I seem to remember Alex saying before about too much gap causes the spark to sometimes go around the insulator and go to ground elsewhere. And that apparently doesnt help power output.

Anyway I dont know. I run electronic ignition (not MSD - no multi spark) and have stayed at 35. I thought 45 was a practical limit even for MSD so its interesting to hear otherwise.

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'68 coupe 289 C code
66 heads, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm

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trashline
Gearhead

Posts: 1217
From: Levittown, Pa
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-02-2004 01:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for trashline   Click Here to Email trashline     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
well it doesnt seem to be acting funny. yesterday i played with the vacuum needle on my carb and its running a bit better to i dont have a vacuum gauge . it it goes wacky then il make the gap smaller

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65coupei6
Gearhead

Posts: 451
From: S.F., CA
Registered: May 2000

posted 02-03-2004 10:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 65coupei6   Click Here to Email 65coupei6     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sometimes a large gap is not always best. I would run them at .040

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Marco S.
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Ford Inline Performance
MustangIndex-The Classic Mustang Search Engine & Web Directory

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Tom G
Gearhead

Posts: 552
From: Bethlehem, Pa USA
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 02-04-2004 06:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tom G   Click Here to Email Tom G     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by trashline:
well it doesnt seem to be acting funny. yesterday i played with the vacuum needle on my carb and its running a bit better to i dont have a vacuum gauge . it it goes wacky then il make the gap smaller


If you have a timing light with a tach built in adjust your idle mixture for the hightest rpm reading the readjust your idle scre on the linkage for the proper idle rpm. Autozone loans out timing lights if you don't have one.

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67 Mustang Shelby clone F/B 302 GT-40X FMS Crate engine 5 spd cable clutch 13.39 on 205/70/14 BFG @104 mph Flowmasters X Pipe 4.11 9". BIG Body shop NOW! 03 Focus ZX3 BORLA exhaust Wings West spoiler (Arrest ME RED)

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trashline
Gearhead

Posts: 1217
From: Levittown, Pa
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-04-2004 10:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for trashline   Click Here to Email trashline     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
ok thanks for the info on auto zone

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