I see that stock gap is .035. But after searching around this site I found that you guys are all over the place on your gaps ( .035-.065). What are the pros and cons of gaping larger, and do you gap the plugs yourself, or are you buying them that way?

 

I ALWAYS gap my own plugs. According to popular theory, they come 'pre-gapped'..... but, drop it once the wrong way, and there goes that idea.

I run mine at .035, as everything in the ignition system is stock. If you still are running the stock coil, stick with the stock gap.

 

I buy Champion plugs from the dealer, not from a parts store, they always come gaped for stock settings that way.

NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER buy anything other than champion plugs.

 

I hate champion plugs, and won't use them, even though they are 'stock'..... I have had too many bad experiences with them. I got some autolites.... truck runs great.

I also ALWAYS verify the gap on my plugs. Ya never know just what the ones you get over the counter have been thru. A rough ride on the truck, or a dropped carton, and the gaps can be all over the place.

 

You can gap wider of you run a hot ignition system, like an MSD 6a box as an example. A stronger spark from a larger gap theoretically equals more complete combustion, which equals more power.

In practice, find the gap that runs the best. Some years the gap is .035, I know the 2001 is set at .040 factory spec. I found that .038 ran best when I ran the stock ignition. On the MSD box I run now, .043 seems to be the best.

Never once have I bought a set of 8 plugs and they were all gapped the same.

 

Whats so special about buying your plugs from the stealership beside them coming pre-gapped?

 

As a side note, gaps open up as they are exposed to conditions inside the combustion chamber. If you gap a little on the smaller side, you can go longer without noticing a performance drop.

I'd also recommend indexing the plugs. I dont think I ever noticed the claimed 5hp increase, but the truck seems to idle smoother, and rev a bit smoother too.

And I prefer the ngk v-power plugs, fwiw.

 

i think i like the ngk v groove ones better than any stock champion plug. imo i think you should always at least check the plugs before you put them in. i have had a few that have been a bit off.

 

I can't ever remember geting a set of plugs that were all gapped right out of the box and I've been buying them for 60 years. As far as Champion I have only had one bad one.
My 96 seem to be smoother with the champion than the autolites.
Thinking about trying the NGK though.

 

Buying Champions/NGKs/whatever from the $tealership is no different than buying them at an auto parts stores. The only difference is you pay the dealership more for the same stuff (in this case).

Always check the gaps, "pre-gapped" or not. I made the mistake of not doing it once, couldn't figure out why the truck ran a little rough. I had forgot to check the driver's side plugs evidently. Cylinder #3 had about a 0.01 gap.