Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
And where does one obtain such a tool?
Spark Plug Gap Gauge
- Thread starter JayL
- Start date
I assume you're talking to me...if so, I found some here:
http://www.autotech.com/prod_elec_ignition.htm
https://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exec/product_id/451/category_id/16/search_year/1971/search_model/5
I don't see them a whole heck of a lot anymore.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Looks good, might have to buy myself one. Thanks.
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
Jacobs Electronics used to offer a nice plier gapping tool, but I don't know if they still do since being bought by Mr. Gasket.
I find it amusing how... uh, precise (yeah that's it) some of you guys are about your plug gaps.
I have always been amused by the folks (usually the ricer crowd) who pay for the multiple electrode, unobtanium, and such overpriced plugs (and wires, too)(Nology, what a crock). Platinum plugs don't make a better spark, (actually it is not as good) they just last longer. They are perfect for a daily driver where plug access is a real PITA (like my wife's minivan). Ford says they only need to be changed every 100,000 miles, and it's a good thing, because it is a real project (we will sell it before then).
I like Champion or Autolite copper plugs and vehicles that are easy to change the plugs on.
Oh yeah, I like the wire gapper gauge, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a ramped disk if it was all I had. In a non-competition vehicle, it is close enough.
I find it amusing how... uh, precise (yeah that's it) some of you guys are about your plug gaps.
I have always been amused by the folks (usually the ricer crowd) who pay for the multiple electrode, unobtanium, and such overpriced plugs (and wires, too)(Nology, what a crock). Platinum plugs don't make a better spark, (actually it is not as good) they just last longer. They are perfect for a daily driver where plug access is a real PITA (like my wife's minivan). Ford says they only need to be changed every 100,000 miles, and it's a good thing, because it is a real project (we will sell it before then).
I like Champion or Autolite copper plugs and vehicles that are easy to change the plugs on.
Oh yeah, I like the wire gapper gauge, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a ramped disk if it was all I had. In a non-competition vehicle, it is close enough.
billymade
Well-known member
Is this the Jacobs one?
http://www.streetperformance.com/part/jacobs-electronics/spark-plug-gap-tools/691050-380700.html
Here is one made by ACCEL
http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel/110/380700/10002/-1
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=sum-900313
Summit SUM-900313
Actually, they all look pretty similar with different branding by the different companies AFAIK. Summit is cheapest @ $24.39 .
http://www.streetperformance.com/part/jacobs-electronics/spark-plug-gap-tools/691050-380700.html
Here is one made by ACCEL
http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel/110/380700/10002/-1
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=sum-900313
Summit SUM-900313
Actually, they all look pretty similar with different branding by the different companies AFAIK. Summit is cheapest @ $24.39 .
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eschoendorff
Well-known member
Yup. I'll skip the pliers and use my hands....
BTW... I have had NGK copper plugs last almost as long as platinum plugs... at 1/3 the price.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Man I can't believe that simply gapping plugs would generate this much conversation! I usually use my flat feeler gages or every once in awhile the wire type, I have no issues with either type. As to plugs, just OEM as suggested for me thanks.
My high performance Twin Turbo sports car requires a proper gap, or I get spark blow out under boost.
I have to use either a platinum or iridium single electrode plug, simply for their durability and performance as seen on the dyno. Their longevity under such extreme head pressures and temperatures are second to none.
Coppers tend to last only 3 to 6 months, but, they offer a greater safety margin then platinums or iridiums, as when the tips break off, the metal is soft enough to not damage the head, piston, and sometimes saves the turbo.
Then again, we all dont drive under powered rusted out mules around town.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
This is a know issue with platinum plugs... the pucks will eventually come off.
Really? Are you seriously going to say something that stupid? You act like you actually know us!
Good luck with that twin turbo sports car. I'll take cubic inches, thank you.
It's all about the sound. And no turbo whistles!
If Elroy hears the first crack of Bull **** about spark plugs look to get one broke off in your ***.
Alright fair warning.
This statement in Elroy's opinion is just a flat out bunch of bull ****.
Where does one start ? Or better yet where does one draw the line ?
First off "copper" spark plugs have the copper on the inside of the electrode and your **** statement about the "safety" aspects of copper breaking off and not tearing up a turbo is a joke. If your "high performance Twin Turbo sports car" is so bad *** that it eats plugs it's most likely because you don't have control of the detonation. You must be a real pro tuner.
On top of that any turbo is going to get chewed up if it's feed any kind of foreign matter regardless if it's copper, iridium, or ceramic from the insulator.
Elroy is not in the habit of jumping down one's *** but your statements are in Elroy's opinion pure bull ****. Elroy comes to this site to talk tools. He does not care to read **** about your POS "high performance Twin Turbo sports car".
Talk tools and we'll be fine. Other wise place your efforts on the turbo board and blow it out your *** with all the other expert turbo mechanics.
Elroy must also apologize to ni[x]it and all the other members of the board for this rant.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Alright fair warning.
This statement in Elroy's opinion is just a flat out bunch of bull ****.
Where does one start ? Or better yet where does one draw the line ?
First off "copper" spark plugs have the copper on the inside of the electrode and your **** statement about the "safety" aspects of copper breaking off and not tearing up a turbo is a joke. If your "high performance Twin Turbo sports car" is so bad *** that it eats plugs it's most likely because you don't have control of the detonation. You must be a real pro tuner.
On top of that any turbo is going to get chewed up if it's feed any kind of foreign matter regardless if it's copper, iridium, or ceramic from the insulator.
Elroy is not in the habit of jumping down one's *** but your statements are in Elroy's opinion pure bull ****. Elroy comes to this site to talk tools. He does not care to read **** about your POS "high performance Twin Turbo sports car".
Talk tools and we'll be fine. Other wise place your efforts on the turbo board and blow it out your *** with all the other expert turbo mechanics.
Elroy must also apologize to ni[x]it and all the other members of the board for this rant.
Apologize? Damn, I was on the edge of my seat! Most excitement I've had all day...
Uh ... did Elroy get out on the wrong side of the bed ... can't get so excited ... bad for the ticker ...
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
It must be nice to be so special.
Then again, some of us don't want to drive "Twin Turbo sports cars" or maybe we'd rather spend the money elsewhere, or even maybe some of us can't afford it.
Get off your high horse.
It must be nice to be so special.
Then again, some of us don't want to drive "Twin Turbo sports cars" or maybe we'd rather spend the money elsewhere, or even maybe some of us can't afford it.
Get off your high horse.
My horse is not only high, it's wide too.
billymade
Well-known member
Just ran across these on ebay; never saw them before... interesting tool. Didn't know they made these...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Snap-On-Tools-S...ryZ35625QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Moose, these are ORANGE handled! LOL!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Snap-On-Tools-S...ryZ35625QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Moose, these are ORANGE handled! LOL!
paramudduck
Well-known member
Harder to carry around then a coin. Other wise just a straight ramp instead of a round one.
Elroy fully realizes that some of the members that visit this site are younger and may have never seen a two piece spark plug. Purely as entertainment, Elroy wanted to post up a few shots of one. This plug came out of a 1937 International Farmall. And you thought Firestone only made tires.
olds88
Well-known member
1. I use this wire gapper:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1128&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
$4.90 off the Snap-on truck, you start the job, refer to the emissions label under the hood, flip out the correct size and forget it. The other types, I find myself constantly referring back to the label.
2. IMO, standard issue AC Delco plugs are the best, but I try to get whatever the OEM for the car is... AC Delco for GM, Motorcraft for Ford, NGK for VW and Japanese cars, etc.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1128&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
$4.90 off the Snap-on truck, you start the job, refer to the emissions label under the hood, flip out the correct size and forget it. The other types, I find myself constantly referring back to the label.
2. IMO, standard issue AC Delco plugs are the best, but I try to get whatever the OEM for the car is... AC Delco for GM, Motorcraft for Ford, NGK for VW and Japanese cars, etc.
that is a great old plug.I like Olivers myself but enjoy all old ironElroy fully realizes that some of the members that visit this site are younger and may have never seen a two piece spark plug. Purely as entertainment, Elroy wanted to post up a few shots of one. This plug came out of a 1937 International Farmall. And you thought Firestone only made tires.
billymade
Well-known member
Elroy, that is fascinating, the oldest stuff I have worked on is probably 50s cars; was there a purpose to the fact you could take it part? Could you clean it better; replace the electrode by itself or just "maintain" the plug? I wonder if you could buy each part and just replace what was worn? I was telling some younger people the other day how we used to actually "clean" plugs with those little air or electric driven spark plug cleaning tools that had "sand" inside them to "sandblast" the electrodes; now we just throw them out and put new ones in. The cleaning aspect may have been because parts were so much more expensive, then they are now... Thanks for the pics; the styling of old parts is so cool; even the lowly spark plug got the detailed design treatment, how cool is the "grip area on the metal body! Again, older stuff just seems to be such that people took the time to design things with care.... plus, how cool is the old "F" for Firestone logo? LOL!
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eschoendorff
Well-known member
Elroy... that is really cool. I had not idea about those spark plugs.
Excellent pics ... what kind of camera are you using to get such close up high resolution?
An long obsolete Leica Digilux that is the size of a large brick.
billymade
Well-known member
Yeah, but the Leica optics are historically excellent and even if it is "old"; they make superior cameras in all eras! If you look at the history of photography; pretty much all the great photographers of the 20th/21st century used leicas as their primary "shooter" of choice!
olds88
Well-known member
Leica is the Snap-on of cameras (the film advance lever incorporates a ratcheting mechanism.....)! I have an M6 (cost me $1000 used, without a lens) and my great grandfather's IIIa. My avatar was taken with my Nikon D1x on Park Ave near 29th St.
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bushhawg73
Well-known member
That is a cool spark plug. Before seeing that I had no idea that ever existed.
As for Elroy's rant I believe that it was totally justified.
I adopted three kids and all I can afford right now is a 1992 Isuzu Trooper. The ac is broke and she has 269,000 miles but she is fun to drive. My kids ride in a wore out SUV but I make them laugh every day. We play with old lawmowers and vehicles and get DIRTY. I would not trade that for a quad turbo 500 HP dual overhead cam POS anyday.
As for Elroy's rant I believe that it was totally justified.
I adopted three kids and all I can afford right now is a 1992 Isuzu Trooper. The ac is broke and she has 269,000 miles but she is fun to drive. My kids ride in a wore out SUV but I make them laugh every day. We play with old lawmowers and vehicles and get DIRTY. I would not trade that for a quad turbo 500 HP dual overhead cam POS anyday.
chammyman
Well-known member
For that very reason, Elroy is pleased he took the effort to post.
Sense we're on the subject of spark plugs. Elroy offers this little tidbit:
This item states:
"AUTOLITE"
"close to diamond hard"
"use for knife hone"
"marketed by Fram Corp."
The upper half, at the voltage damn ribs is glazed. The lower half is un-coated.
This was a yard sale score from at LEAST 20 years ago. Picked it up for like a quarter. The sale had a pair. Elroy picked up both and gave one to good friend.
Anyone ever seen another one of these ??
That post really got up Elroy's *** and he sincerely apologises to the "board" for loosing his cool.
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bushhawg73
Well-known member
No I have never seen that either. I am 35 and sometimes wish that I was a bit older. Tool makers used to come out with some really cool promotional stuff. Today it plastic cases and generic promotional items. If Snap on or NGK would pass out somthing like this I would treat is as gold. Much better that the generic little magnet screwdrivers or free stickers.
Gary
Gary
