Stock moter spark plug gap?

Igofaster13

Member

Mar 9, 2006

170

3

19

San Diego

Aug 8, 2006

#1

• Aug 8, 2006

• #1

What is the spark plug gap on a 88 302? I am putting new motorcraft spark plugs in and need to know, Thanks

 

Mavrick

Founding Member

Aug 29, 2002

2,264

0

46

Collingwood, ON

Aug 8, 2006

#2

• Aug 8, 2006

• #2

0.054"

 

Igofaster13

Member

Mar 9, 2006

170

3

19

San Diego

Aug 8, 2006

#3

• Aug 8, 2006

• #3

Thanks

 

revedup

Member

Nov 18, 2005

63

0

6

S.F. Cal,

Apr 22, 2008

#4

• Apr 22, 2008

• #4

PLuG GAP

HAynes say 87-93 v8 says .050
al kirkscenbaum exellent tech reference handbook claims .044

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,268

17,954

224

Massachusetts

Apr 22, 2008

#5

• Apr 22, 2008

• #5

revedup said:

HAynes say 87-93 v8 says .050
al kirkscenbaum exellent tech reference handbook claims .044

Click to expand...

However, the emmissions decal on the actual coil cover INSIDE the engine bay of my '88 5.0 states "Spark Plug Gap - 0.052" - 0.056"


.044 is the gap of the early model 5.0's, a lot of refernce books fail to mention that in 1986 Ford went with a larger gap since they upgraded the ignition from the Duraspark unit previously used. The new gap on all 86-04 Mustangs is 0.052-0.056"

 

bynummustang

Seen my other Jackstand?

Jul 24, 2005

1

2

69

NC State University

Apr 22, 2008

#6

• Apr 22, 2008

• #6

most will need .050-.056

However, I've put some plugs gapped at .032 in a 2.3 and it ran much smoother than at .05x

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

3,501

28

119

Motor City

Apr 22, 2008

#7

• Apr 22, 2008

• #7

I had hesitation in my 91 5.0L over 4,500RPM. I pulled out Autolite plugs, which looked worn out to a whopping .072 gap!!! I installed Motorcraft factory spec plugs, and I gapped them at .048 since my car has 145K on it. No more hesitation, and I noticed a big difference in performance. I can now squeal tires in 2nd gear!!!

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,268

17,954

224

Massachusetts

Apr 22, 2008

#8

• Apr 22, 2008

• #8

If you need to close the gap to run smoother than you might want to take a look at your ignition system. It may be weak. No reason to really close the gap up unless you are unable to maintain a spark due to boost or nitrous or a weak ignition system.

The factory ignition on the 86+ cars should be capable of maintaining a spark across a 0.054" gap easily. If it's weak, then you would need to close the gap. But if that happens you might want to address the possibility of needing new ignition components. (new plugs, cap rotor and possibly coil)

 

onebadsixxx

New Member

Jul 12, 2009

24

0

1

North Las Vegas, Nevada

Feb 26, 2011

#9

• Feb 26, 2011

• #9

Back from the dead!! This thread possibly just saved me a load of unneeded work.

 

B

bobwb

Member

Dec 11, 2009

199

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Feb 26, 2011

#10

• Feb 26, 2011

• #10

what happened?

 

onebadsixxx

New Member

Jul 12, 2009

24

0

1

North Las Vegas, Nevada

Feb 27, 2011

#11

• Feb 27, 2011

• #11

Thought my 86 5.0 was experiencing some massive blowby. Though I had one case where my #8 plug was covered in oil about a month ago, but checking my plugs again yesterday, they were bone dry with normal burn on the electrodes.

Wound up changing my plugs and needed to know the gap, found this thread, and it was like music. I run out and check the dizzy cap and rotor, and they were done. WASTED. The little lead piece under the center tower fell out even.

Got em all changed and this car just woke up!!