Just installed a Pertronix 2 with the Flamethrower 1 coil.Is it a good idea to go wider on the plug gap?Stock specs are .032-.036.How much wider?Did some research on the internet with mixed answers.Going wider makes it harder on the stock type wires and cap are some answers I found.Any thoughts?

  

Mark there is quite a write-up in here about plug gaps - and Ted had some useful info about how the smaller gaps worked on his competition and dyno engines..must be about page three or four....

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/forums/Topic17846-3-3.aspx

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

I just tried this about 2 months ago.  Same setup, went with .045 or so gap (based on stuff I read here and other places).  Car ran like CRAP (no other changes)  Horrible is the best word for it.  Pulled the plugs, narrowed them up to .035, put them back in, and it ran like a champ again; no other changes.

Based on that, Id recommend just staying on the bigger end of the recommended range.

Just my 2 cents

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

It seems like I ran .045 when I had the ignitor II, but I also had the Flamethrowe II coil which is hotter.


Lawrenceville, GA

I have the petronix set up in my bird with MSD 6AL box and coil and I have my plugs gapped at .035 . Never had any issues.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

What about plug type themselves? Do you guys favor Autolite, Champion, NGK, etc.? I run Champion gapped at about .043" with the Pertronix and Flamethrower II coil, But I'm always open to other ideas for better performance.

Rono.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I've got mine gapped 40>42 and it starts and runs great. Gary

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

I lean towards Autolite and Motorcraft sparkplugs in the FoMoCo engines, AC in the GM products, and can not remember the last time I actually purchased a Champion spark plug.  Testing of the various brands on the dyno shows no difference in performance providing the gaps and heat ranges are the same so it really just ends up being a brand preference or how well the spark plugs hold up over time.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Spark jumps from sharper corners much better than rounded, I have always filed my plugs by flattening the bottom of the strap, then taper each edge and the end into a paramid so the bottom edges by the electrode have the sharp corners. Bend the strap so the end of it is center of the electrode, not going past it. I have been doing this for 30 plus years and have never had problems with fouling, skipping plugs.

Also through experimenting with chain saws when I was a teen working in the woods and on snowmobiles, dirt bikes etc. I would take the plug out, change the gap, and retry in the hard wood over and over and over trying many different gap settings and always found more power by going to a smaller gap then recommended. Gapping larger always lost power.

From My back yard experiments.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

Interesting Billy. You and Ted have come to the same conclusion. I never found a difference until you encounter misfire. Must be something there though if Ted finds it on a dyno. With the blown motor in my car and an MSD Blaster I've been using .042, maybe I'll try closing it down and see what happens.  

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart)