![]() ![]() As they wear and become rounded off, even if the gap is adjusted, the initial location of the spark will begin to change and potentially cause ignition issues. When they are new, they have very precisely formed edges which are designed to enhance the spark. In addition to the gap, the condition of the center and ground electrodes is just as important. Proper gapping technique should be followed with any spark plug, but special care should be taken with fine wire plugs. The spark plug gap is so pivotal to performance, that even a few thousandths of an inch can make a difference, and a misadjusted gap can also cause poor fuel economy and shorten the life of the plugs. But it usually requires a high-performance ignition system that can provide the higher voltage and additional energy to maintain the spark. I expect these spark plugs to last longer than me. they are installed in a 5.7L GM Vortec motor. They were pre-gapped at 60 thousandths of an inch, (1.5mm). However, a larger gap requires higher voltage, which can be a performance benefit on some engines and is often a method utilized by engine tuners. These are Iridium tipped spark plugs that do not increase the spark gap as they are used. Typically, if you raise the engine compression or install a forced induction system, you will need to reduce the gap to prevent this from happening. With too big a gap, turbulence in the combustion chamber can blow out the spark. Too small of a gap can lead to a weak spark and incomplete combustion, and too large a gap can lead to misfires, especially at high rpm. Of course, I’m talking about the spark plug gap, a critical factor in engine performance.įor an engine to perform efficiently, the spark must occur at the right time to properly ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder. We have done the research and put in the hours to enhance the performance, durability, and ignitability of plugs for domestic and import engines.Įxplore the benefits of our most advanced products like our iridium spark plugs at can something so small be so important? Iridium Ultra® plugs feature a laser-welded iridium finewire center electrode for optimal fuel efficiency, acceleration, and focused ignitability for long-lasting performance.Īutolite ® has been the trusted developer of spark plugs for over 85 years. This makes it the preferred gapping tool for shop techs to use when setting customers up with the right ignition products for their needs.Īutolite Iridium Ultra ® Spark Plugs are the highest performance offering from Autolite ® and provide the same precision and reliability of an engineered OE replacement plug. Wire loop gauges are not only accurate, but they minimize the chances of incidental damage to the plug when used correctly. The spark plug gap adjustment should not be changed more than 3 times and should not exceed. Because of this, it became clear over the years that a more precise gapping tool like a wire loop gauge is recommended for this task. Like spark plug metallurgy, gapping gauges have been adapted for more focused performance over time.įeeler gauges or coin-style (ramp-style) gauges aren’t as well-suited for precision plugs like iridium because of the risks of damage to the iridium finewire electrode. To avoid this, the gap should only be checked with the right tool. Iridium spark plugs are designed to deliver more than 100,000 miles of reliable ignition and fuel efficiency, but improper gapping can easily damage the sensitive iridium electrodes. This is especially true for customers who run iridium plugs. Today’s spark plugs are precision-built products, so even the smallest adjustments will change their performance. The Right Tool to Gap Iridium Spark Plugs In either case, engine combustibility will be incorrect. As the spark plug gap grows, more power is required from the ignition coil to create a spark. If it’s too big, the coil will need too much voltage to fire. This causes the gap between the electrodes to increase in size. If the gap is too small, the flame kernel will not be able to properly expand. When replacing your customers’ spark plugs, you can help them understand that because gap distances are measured down to the tenth of a millimeter, or four one-thousandths of an inch, it’s crucial to be extra careful when checking or setting the gap in each plug. In a sense, spark plugs are an engine’s heartbeat, critical to optimal engine performance-if they’re gapped properly when they’re installed.Īs you’re aware-but your customers might not be-properly gapped plugs allow the engine to literally fire on all cylinders, while the wrong gap will not create the proper ignition and engine performance, regardless of vehicle. ![]()
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