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Spark Plug Gap

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Old Feb 15, 2010 | 11:27 PM
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Default Spark Plug Gap

I recently bought some Pulstar plugs (money to burn) and was curious if I should take the time to decrease the .40 gap they come with down the the Dodge recommended .35. I have a 07' with a 3.7L.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2010 | 11:45 PM
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yea, the recommended gap size is optimal for your engine. Plus, you only have 6 plugs so I'd want to take the 5 minutes and ensure I can get the full benefits of the new plugs.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2010 | 11:46 PM
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According to NGK the best way to close the gap is to tap the electrode against a hard surface. This doesn't seem to smart to me. My gap tool only makes the gap bigger.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 12:13 AM
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yep, tapping them on a hard table or the ground is the only way I know how to shorten the gaps. There may be other ways, maybe someone else will chip in.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 09:09 AM
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How much did you pay for those Pulstars and please let us know how you like them.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by slowen
According to NGK the best way to close the gap is to tap the electrode against a hard surface. This doesn't seem to smart to me. My gap tool only makes the gap bigger.
To close the gap, use the same part you use to open it just pull it the other way. Put it on the end of the electrode and pull towards the plug instead of away. Hitting it on a hard surface makes no sense.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 10:10 AM
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i use a hard surface. Been doing it for years. it DOES NOT take much effort at all to close the gap. Just begin tapping it lightly and checking the gap. You'll see it doesn't take much to close them up a little bit.

However, I would go with the gap provided. If you aren't having plug blow-out at WOT, then there's no reason to close the gap. A smaller gap will reduce engine performance. it may go un noticed, but it will reduce the power.
Try the plugs as-is and only if you notice a skip at WOT then reduce the gap, but generally you want your gap as large as possible without blow-out.
Blow-out is when the spark cannot sustain the gap bridge with an arch and the engine basically blows it out from high revving situations.
Being that the Pulstar plugs are suppose to generate a much larger spark off the same voltage as a standard plug, .040" you'll be fine.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 03:32 PM
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So to get back to you I got them for $20 for two at drivewire.com. Thats pretty cheap for Pulstars.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 03:58 PM
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Wow those things are pricey. Let us know how they work for you.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 05:16 PM
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I sure wouldn't buy 16 of them for the Hemi, that's for sure!!!
 
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