what to set the gap on the spark plugs?

[65stang289]

I cant find my book at all so I set them to 35 but I think that is wrong. My car ran fine for 4 days and then all of a sudden it just started going to hell could not get up to 50mph. It will start to miss and back fire like crazy it does it around 2000 to 3500. IT's so bad some times I think it wont make it at all. I was sitting at a light and it was a idle and for no reason it went from 900rpm down to 400 just like that. The car all most died I have no Idea what the hell is up with this.

 

[jesserose17]

.035 Gap is correct for spark plugs - I wouldn't think it's the plugs. More Likely something else - I would check the points, timing, cap and spark plug wires. If they are ok, then check for possible vacuum leaks - you may have cracked vacuum hoses which could cause sudden changes you described.

 

[Blue Thunder]

If your distributor is a stock FoMoCo unit, check the point plate bushings for wear/free play. Worn plate bushings will totally screw your timing and point gap setting.

If you want to keep points in your car, but want something better than stock, Mallory used to make a killer dual-point unit, not sure if it's still available or not.

 

[65stang289]

Yeah I put new points and a cap at rotor in the other day. IT worked fine for a day and then it is back I cant even get up to 15 mph with out the car missing like crazy. I pulled the pluges and all are fine but number #8 had gas on it so it was wet.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Check the plate bushings, dude.

 

[68GEETEE]

try setting your dwell on your points using a dwell meter. Should be set somewhere around 27-30.