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AGSF32PM Spark flug gap.. HELP!

  • Thread starter Thread starter SilverBullet00
  • Start date Start date Aug 16, 2005
S

SilverBullet00

New Member
Jul 5, 2004
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Wichita, KS
Aug 16, 2005
#1
  • Aug 16, 2005
  • #1
Alright, I have never gapped a spark plug before, everything I have ever bought has been pre-configured. I just bought a set of 8 of these guys from the dealership, brought them home, and they are gapped to .049! From what I understand I should gap them to .054, is this correct and if so, how do I go about gapping them?

Thanks!
 

04GT

New Member
Oct 8, 2003
284
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0
Southwest Ohio
Aug 16, 2005
#2
  • Aug 16, 2005
  • #2
Your gap measuring tool should have a way to gently bend the electrode up to increase the gap. Just make sure you don't damage any other part of the plug.

Mine is a disk shaped tool with a small hole in it. I put the electrode thru the hole from the bottom an use the tool as a lever to bend it up. If you over do it, you should be able to just put the tool on top and squeeze it closed a little with your hands.
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
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134
Aug 16, 2005
#3
  • Aug 16, 2005
  • #3
You should use copper if you do not mind changing your plugs every couple years instead of never. I recommend AGSF-32C at .54
 

04GT

New Member
Oct 8, 2003
284
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0
Southwest Ohio
Aug 16, 2005
#4
  • Aug 16, 2005
  • #4
Kilgore Trout said:
You should use copper if you do not mind changing your plugs every couple years instead of never. I recommend AGSF-32C at .54
Click to expand...
Dude, that's a BIG gap! 1/2 an inch?!
 

tomustang

Psychotic Member
Founding Member
Jun 8, 2000
3,434
2
78
McLean Hospital
Aug 16, 2005
#5
  • Aug 16, 2005
  • #5
give him a break i've done it before
 

Dark Knight GT

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.
May 26, 2003
3,653
2
56
Ozark, Missouri
Aug 16, 2005
#6
  • Aug 16, 2005
  • #6
I'm with Kilgore trout. Copper is better for performance if you don't mind changing the plugs more often. If you can afford it, change them once a year. Gapping plugs @ .054 is best for a n/a setup. I'm running the Motorcraft Awsf-12c's(I think thats right) and they are two steps colder than stock. I have no problems with mine either. Car starts up great and runs fine.
 
S

SilverBullet00

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Jul 5, 2004
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Wichita, KS
Aug 16, 2005
#7
  • Aug 16, 2005
  • #7
well I went to the dealership and picked these up after checking out bullittarchive.com. We will see how they work, i imagine my current ones are pretty carbon-ated as I am running pretty rich
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
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Mar 30, 2005
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Aug 17, 2005
#8
  • Aug 17, 2005
  • #8
Yeah, uh... The gap is .054
 

forpit2000gt

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
2,490
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Columbia, SC
Aug 17, 2005
#9
  • Aug 17, 2005
  • #9
SilverBullet00 said:
Alright, I have never gapped a spark plug before, everything I have ever bought has been pre-configured. I just bought a set of 8 of these guys from the dealership, brought them home, and they are gapped to .049! From what I understand I should gap them to .054, is this correct and if so, how do I go about gapping them?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
It looks like they are platinums, leave gapped the way they come. Gap coppers to .050 to .055, most set at .053 or .054
 

mogs01gt

Founding Member
Jul 22, 2002
3,113
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119
Ohio
Aug 17, 2005
#10
  • Aug 17, 2005
  • #10
Well you do have some modifications so you could run a closer gap but not too close. In the upper 40s wouldnt hurt. I run a 34 on my plugs or was it 32? LMAO cant remember.
 
R

Ronald Jones

Member
Dec 21, 2002
80
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6
Glendale, Arizona
Aug 18, 2005
#11
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #11
Kilgore Trout said:
You should use copper if you do not mind changing your plugs every couple years instead of never. I recommend AGSF-32C at .54
Click to expand...

The stock plugs have a copper core just like any other standard plug out there. The platinum is on the tip on the center electrode (AWSF-32P) and some plugs have a small button of platinum welded to the ground electrode (AWSF-32PP)

Also the copper in the center electrode is encased in nickel. The platinum tips do not hinder performance one bit, it's there to keep the tips from wearing down.
 
K

Kilgore Trout

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Mar 30, 2005
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Aug 18, 2005
#12
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #12
Ronald Jones said:
The stock plugs have a copper core just like any other standard plug out there. The platinum is on the tip on the center electrode (AWSF-32P) and some plugs have a small button of platinum welded to the ground electrode (AWSF-32PP)

Also the copper in the center electrode is encased in nickel. The platinum tips do not hinder performance one bit, it's there to keep the tips from wearing down.
Click to expand...
Everyone who has bothered to do ANY research on plugs knows the diff between P and PP and C.

None of this is new information except for your conclusion that "The platinum tips do not hinder performance one bit".

I disagree with your conclusion.
 

forpit2000gt

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Jun 30, 2002
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Aug 18, 2005
#13
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #13
platinum tips require more voltage to provide a spark than coppers. Most new cars have a better voltage delivery system than older vehicles. That is why people go to a MSD type setup on older systems or high pereformance applications that require the increase in spark. The newer COP systems are really good. By running coppers you get a little better spark transfer at the same gap than platinum. some older vehicles should never run platinums because the coil will not deliver enough voltage. Platinums will last longer and that is all. Coppers will give better perforamance over all and will wear out sooner. No real need to debate, it is proven.
 
R

Ronald Jones

Member
Dec 21, 2002
80
0
6
Glendale, Arizona
Aug 19, 2005
#14
  • Aug 19, 2005
  • #14
forpit2000gt said:
platinum tips require more voltage to provide a spark than coppers. Most new cars have a better voltage delivery system than older vehicles. That is why people go to a MSD type setup on older systems or high pereformance applications that require the increase in spark. The newer COP systems are really good. By running coppers you get a little better spark transfer at the same gap than platinum. some older vehicles should never run platinums because the coil will not deliver enough voltage. Platinums will last longer and that is all. Coppers will give better perforamance over all and will wear out sooner. No real need to debate, it is proven.
Click to expand...

I’m not disputing the voltage that is required to fire copper or platinum tipped plugs, I’m stating that platinum does not replace the copper in platinum tipped plugs. The platinum is not in the core of the plug and it’s not inside the center electrode either and it has no effect on the voltage required to fire the plug. Platinum tipped plugs has a copper matrix center electrode just like any other so called copper plug. And you will be surprised at how little copper is in a so-called copper plug. The core is made up of different material and it even has a steel pin and spring in it.

forpit2000gt said:
Platinums will last longer and that is all. Coppers will give better perforamance over all and will wear out sooner.
Click to expand...

The coppers are wearing out due to tip erosion and that is where platinum tips come into play. If you file those copper plug electrodes flat and regap them you can use them for another 10k miles. With the exception of the tiny little button of platinum welded to the tips, the rest of the platinum tipped plug is the same as coppers.
 

forpit2000gt

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
2,490
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0
Columbia, SC
Aug 19, 2005
#15
  • Aug 19, 2005
  • #15
The copper plugs are actually solid copper cores that I am referring to, not copper coated cores and the tips have platinum on them for longevity so that they have less wear and a more consistant spark . I don't know about all spark plugs and am not a spark plug engineer. I have been in plants that manufacture and seen what goes in. There are several alloys used on the outside of the tips. platinum and irridium are two that keep the wear to a mininum. Most cars come with a DIS ingnition system and use platinum plugs mainly for longevity, not performance. Buy performance plugs and you will find copper cores. This info is from research that I have done and use. Run platinums if you like. I will run coppers in performance applications.
 
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