Spark plug gap too big?

[jaymac]

I just did a plug change on my car, along w/ new O2's and a BBK catalytic H pipe. I have GT-40P's, so I use the plugs off an Explorer. When I took the plugs out, I checked the gaps for the heck of it, and found that they were all roughly .62 (.062?), so apparently I never gapped them to 5.0 specs.
After the new swap, the car is alot more responsive, alot more torquey, pulls harder, etc.
Now, it could be the addition of the cats (more backpressure?), the new plugs themsleves, the new O2's, or the correct gap.
I don't know!!
Would that .62 gap cause a realtively stock motor to lose responsiveness? I have an MSD blaster coil w/ accel wires, and otherwise stock ignition.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[HISSIN50]

Jeremy, that gap is a little large. I might have guessed that you could have seen some high RPM missing, but it sounds like your ignition could handle it.

Personally, I'd look at plugs and O2's as having the largest impact on SOTP performance. I always think the cars run better with fresh plugs.

 

[BullittAndy]

I think that older/modified vehicles respond better to plug changes. I had a 1955 Chevy that would respond to plugs even after 15,000 miles. I bet the O2 sensors are similar, just a little bit of improvement for each change (plugs, O2 sensors) adds up.

 

[jaymac]

yeah, and how about this one? I'd had problems with my ECT sensor, so I replaced it with a Standard piece, adn that was crap after a few days, then I got a Motorcraft piece, and that plastic housing didn't even fit right, I figured they gave me the wrong year, so I broke the housing on the harness and shoved it on (I know, I know) and my ECT problems came back quickly (hard hot starting, poor MPG).
SO, months and months later, I go back to the dealer to see if they gave me the wrong piece, and as soon as I open my mouth, I realized what the problem was. I tolf the guy, "I bought an ACT sesnor here awhile ago" and he said "Air Charge Temp sensor?", and I said "no, coolant temp". I followed that up with an "oh *****."
I ordered and ACT last time and put it in my ECT bung and shoved my connector on it. I am a douche.
I've been driving it like this months. I pulled it and brough it in to confirm our suspicions. Yup. I'm a douche.

Hope my MPG goes up!!!

 

[HISSIN50]

We've all done stuff like that bud. FWIW, Standard brand is pretty good stuff in my experience. I get it when I can.

Good luck brah.