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point gap

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bm3501466

12-31-2006 14:32:25

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What are the symptoms of improper point gap? What about plug gap?

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buickanddeere

12-31-2006 19:48:00

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Re: point gap in reply to bm3501466, 12-31-2006 14:32:25

Best to hurl those points in the trash and install a Pertronix solid state conversion kit. Is it's a machine of vehicle where an AM radio isn't used. Install solid core wires and non resisitor plugs. Autolite 216, 473 and 3116 are good.

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RAB

12-31-2006 16:27:36

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Re: point gap in reply to bm3501466, 12-31-2006 14:32:25

Don,t forget you may cause a magneto system to fail if plug points are too wide. If you are talking about electronic ignitions, wide plug gaps are not too much trouble.

Multiple cylinder engines can be trouble with too wide point gap, due to reduced dwell time, at high rpms

So how about being a bit more prescriptive with your question? What is difficult with checking and adjusting as per the manual? They made the manuals for that very reason.

Regards, RAB

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RAB

12-31-2006 16:27:41

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Re: point gap in reply to bm3501466, 12-31-2006 14:32:25

Don,t forget you may cause a magneto system to fail if plug points are too wide. If you are talking about electronic ignitions, wide plug gaps are not too much trouble.

Multiple cylinder engines can be trouble with too wide point gap, due to reduced dwell time, at high rpms

So how about being a bit more prescriptive with your question? What is difficult with checking and adjusting as per the manual? They made the manuals for that very reason.

Regards, RAB

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Bob M

12-31-2006 15:06:35

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Re: point gap in reply to bm3501466, 12-31-2006 14:32:25

Typical symptoms -

Point gap too wide:
- weak spark (hard starting, loss of power)
- ignition timing problems (hard starting, loss of power under load, backfiring/flames out the carb or exhaust, knocking at speed)

Point gap to narrow:
(same as above, plus coil may overheat...)

----

Plug gap too wide:
- hard starting, misfiring under load - especially when cold or wet.

Plug gap to narrow:
- hard starting, loss of power, misfiring

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jdemaris

12-31-2006 15:04:14

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Re: point gap in reply to bm3501466, 12-31-2006 14:32:25

I'm going to be simplistic here, but the point gap effects spark-intensity potential. It also effects timing. Some small engines have no timing adjustment other than proper point-gap. In regard to plug gap - it determines how much voltage is required to make the spark. If the gap is set wide enough that it calls for more voltage than the system can supply and/or deliver - the engine won't run. If the gap is set too narrow - it fires at low voltage and can foul more easily. Often points set too wide make the engine skip and break up - and go a little wider and it won't run at all. With plug gaps - you can set them as wide as the system can handle - which depends on the coil, wires, and other parts in the distribution system. One example is my wife's 95 Subaru Impreza. It got hard starting recently. Finally one morning - no start. Close to 150K miles and the spark-plugs have never been out of it (that I know of). Pulled the plugs out and the gaps were well over a 1/4 inch. It had finally gotten to the point where the ignition system could not produce enough to jump the gap. Put new plugs in and it ran like new again. Amazing that plugs can last that long.

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noncompos

12-31-2006 19:15:36

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Re: point gap in reply to jdemaris, 12-31-2006 15:04:14

I can't give a technical explanation why plugs are lasting so much longer, but it's the electronics; probably because spark and fuel are controlled so much more precisely to engine need. We had a tuneup on a 91 Cavalier wagon at 96K, incl new plugs, and I couldn't tell a bit of difference in performance or gas mileage. Those 96K plugs had never missed a lick, fired right up in 10 degree weather and delivered 30 mpg at decent hiway speeds.

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jeaffcat

12-31-2006 23:32:48

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Re: point gap in reply to noncompos, 12-31-2006 19:15:36

Simple answer to your question. The new systems are HV. That is high voltage. As the voltage goes up the current goes down. Less burn on the face of the plug electrodes. If you change plugs now go the AC double pltinum and they are worth every penny. Changed out my Ford explorer with 132k on it and the plugs were still good. Changed the ORIGINAL plug wires and WOW what a big power and performance change. Jeffcat

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