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Author Topic:   Plugs
Fordwiser
Gearhead

Posts: 217
From: Metamora, Illinois
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 12-20-2000 06:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fordwiser   Click Here to Email Fordwiser     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My 351C has domed JE pistons. I had the block decked to .005 above the pistons. We mocked everything up to make sure the valves would clear with the roller cam, only thing we didn't check was spark plug clearance! The few runs a made with the new motor, had the plugs gapped .040 after the run a couple of them were down to around .015 to .020. I know I could index them to clear the pistons and the indexing washers would give me more clearance, but has anyone ever tried cutting and rebending the ground strap to the side of the center electrode. a chevy friend says his car picked up by doing this. Said it eliminated the need to index plugs and would give me alot more clearance. just wondering if any Ford people had tried it and like it or if I have to take Cheby persons word for it! :-( LOL! Roger

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kid vishus
Gearhead

Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 12-20-2000 06:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kid vishus   Click Here to Email kid vishus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
what plugs are you running? I have to run short reach plugs or mine hit too. But mine closes the gap all the way.
I run NGK's, part number R5673-6 for gas up to 13-1, and R5673-7 for alcohol, or gas with 13-1 and up. some people might boo hoo them, but I have never had a problem and they work good. Most guys around here run the NGK's and they all like them.

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Moneymaker
Administrator

Posts: 19704
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99

posted 12-20-2000 07:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Moneymaker   Click Here to Email Moneymaker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Autolite makes a side gap racing plug. They use the AR prefix. Alex

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Alex Denysenko Co-Administrator and Moderator
Fleet of FoMoCo's too long to list!
Moneymaker Bio
US Class Nationals link

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Dave_C
Gearhead

Posts: 744
From: Gadsden, Al
Registered: Aug 99

posted 12-20-2000 08:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dave_C   Click Here to Email Dave_C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Try a set of Autolite AR 135. I have a set in mine. Cost only $1.69 each overnite order at Advance Auto.

They are the side gap plugs. Picked my car up an average of .08 and 1 mph over various other plugs. Had tried reg Autolite, NGK, Accel.

BTW, Alex, any experience on how many runs these plugs are good for? Running them with an MSD 7AL 2 and MSD Blaster 3 coil. Gapped at .045

Later,

David Cole

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Moneymaker
Administrator

Posts: 19704
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99

posted 12-20-2000 08:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Moneymaker   Click Here to Email Moneymaker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
David, we usually change ours every 25 to 30 runs. No problems, just preventitive maintanance. Alex

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Alex Denysenko Co-Administrator and Moderator
Fleet of FoMoCo's too long to list!
Moneymaker Bio
US Class Nationals link

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Rustang1
Gearhead

Posts: 110
From:
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 12-29-2000 12:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rustang1   Click Here to Email Rustang1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When I got my Boss headed 351W together this past summer, I ran into the same problem and had to go to the autolite side-gap plugs. One thing I discovered is my motor ran like crap until I called Autolite and the guy told me to gap them to around .025 and never more than .028 (use a round-wire feeler gauge) regardless of ignition type. I was setting them at .040! It definitely ran better, but I'm still chasing a lesser miss at hi-rpm's. (This spring I'm going to a capacitive discharge type ignition (MSD 7AL), so I hope that helps.

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1968 Mustang,Clevor,C4
1969 Torino 351C 4spd
1978 F150 460 C6
1978 F150 351W C6

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kid vishus
Gearhead

Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 12-29-2000 12:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kid vishus   Click Here to Email kid vishus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
MSD claims that with their 7 series box and everything else in good shape:wires, distributer etc.. that you can run up to .060 if it's not supercharged. My clevelands have always ran best with at least .040 gap, so I run .045. But I also use a 7-AL2 box, HVC coil, billet distributer, and new wires every spring.
I have never used the side gap plugs so I don't know if they require less gap or not. I generally run NGK's and have used non-side gap Autolites in the same heat range, and with the same gap with no problems.

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Rustang1
Gearhead

Posts: 110
From:
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-02-2001 11:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rustang1   Click Here to Email Rustang1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
the autolite guy claimed you don't need the wide gap for the side gap plug since the spark is not covered by the ground strap. He said they're set from the factory and should be good to go as is. I've always run conventional plugs at around .040 ot .045, with no problem, but the side gaps set that wide just didn't work in my motor. I'm new to the side-gap plugs, and this autolite guy is fairly known, so I took his advise. However, I'm curious as to others experience with side-gaps.

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1968 Mustang,Clevor,C4
1969 Torino 351C 4spd
1978 F150 460 C6
1978 F150 351W C6

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