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Bob =E2=80=93 I=E2=80=99m afraid you have me confused=E2=80=A6
=20
You indicated =E2=80=9C=E2=80=A6theoretically, as long as the spark is =
hot enough to jump the gap it will ignite a proper mixture. A very lean =
mixture is harder to ignite, and a very rich mixture could 'drown' the =
spark ('stratified charge' engines use a richer mixture to ignite a =
leaner mixture). A hotter spark may more reliably ignite a non-ideal =
mixture, and may help a bit to ignite a proper one (higher compression =
engines require a hotter spark)=E2=80=A6.=E2=80=9D =20
=20
BUT Josef tells us that =E2=80=9C =E2=80=A6 Some people try to adjust =
the fuel mixture with a CO-tester. You can do that, but it doesn=C2=B4t =
give best results for road use, especially in hotter climates and high =
above sea level. =E2=80=A6=E2=80=9D
=20
SO =E2=80=93 If one can use an instrument and get a perfectly =
stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and it doesn=E2=80=99t give best results =
[Worse at altitude or in the summer driving season!] =E2=80=93 then =
surely all this fiddling with the spark plug gap to account for the =
engine=E2=80=99s particulars must be a fool=E2=80=99s errand, and cannot =
possibly work!!=20
=20
P.S.: And whatever you =E2=80=93 do NOT adjust the timing to try to make =
the car run its best.
=20
----------------
All the best,
=20
Al Fuller
=20
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces@autox.team.net> On Behalf Of Bob Spidell
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2023 7:56 AM
To: healeys@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Spark plug gap
=20
I'll chime in here (as is my wont). I'm not an EE--my electrical =
knowledge is self-taught--so if I'm incorrect feel free to correct.
The theoretical output of a coil--which is essentially half of an AC =
transformer--is determined by the ratio of its secondary winding to its =
primary. For example, a coil with 10 primary windings and 20,000 =
secondary windings will boost the primary 'signal' 2,000 times, so it =
would boost a primary signal of 12V to 24,000 volts. When the primary =
pulse to the coil is discontinued--e.g. points open--both the primary =
and secondary induced electrical fields collapse, and the secondary =
field is directed to the plugs*. The secondary field collapses until it =
produces sufficient voltage to overcome the resistance of the plug gap; =
hence the width of the gap determines the strength of the spark. For =
example--pulling numbers out of my exhaust pipe--if a 0.025" gap =
requires 10K volts to produce a spark, then a 0.030" gap might require =
12K volts to produce a spark. So, a larger gap produces a 'hotter' =
spark, up to the theoretical limit of the coil, and a hotter spark is =
better, no? Well, yes and no; theoretically, as long as the spark is hot =
enough to jump the gap it will ignite a proper mixture. A very lean =
mixture is harder to ignite, and a very rich mixture could 'drown' the =
spark ('stratified charge' engines use a richer mixture to ignite a =
leaner mixture). A hotter spark may more reliably ignite a non-ideal =
mixture, and may help a bit to ignite a proper one (higher compression =
engines require a hotter spark). But, as Josef noted, since every spark =
transmits some of the non-ground electrode--probably billions of =
atoms--to the ground electrode a hotter spark will erode the electrode =
faster (since erosion starts with the first spark and with a wider gap =
you should re-gap more often). Note condensers (capacitors) are used in =
points systems and SU fuel pumps to suppress spark arcing and subsequent =
points erosion. Which is why ...
Exotic metal--platinum or iridium--plugs are more resistant to erosion, =
which is why newer cars can go 80K miles or more without a 'tuneup,' =
which, for all intents-and-purposes just means swapping plugs (note they =
come in 'single' (default) or 'dual' types, meaning one or both =
electrodes are the exotic metal, respectively) . Old-style plugs with =
copper and steel electrodes can reliably go 15K miles or more, with one =
or two re-gaps, so exotic metal plugs aren't particularly useful for our =
cars which might do a couple thousand miles a year but, hey, knock =
yourself out. Note that platinum and iridium plugs come pre-gapped, and =
you'd best not mess with them. When I swapped plugs on my '08 Mustang I =
couldn't find a gap spec anywhere, but IIRC I futzed with them anyway =
(of course) and think they were all about 0.025". Fortunately, the car =
still ran well after my meddling and I traded it in in a few years =
anyway. Curiously, I watched a David Vizard video where he claimed he =
saw a slight mileage increase using E3 'DiamondFire' plugs, so there may =
be something to the plug voodoo. Fun fact: All the iridium on planet =
Earth came from a single asteroid, and is found in a layer of said earth =
deposited around the same time the dinosaurs went kaput. Coincidence? I =
think not.
Anybody who's worked on 'modern' cars, say, newer than 2000MY or so, has =
noted 'Coil On Plug' ('COP') technology, where each plug get its own =
coil. Now, the coils on these are small, about the size of an old 35mm =
film canister--remember those?--and you might say to yourself 'Self, how =
do they stuff all that wiring into that little film canister' and the =
answer is, the wires gotta be real tiny and, yep, as you might expect =
they are fragile compared to our Bud Light can-sized (sorry) old school =
Lucas coils. Early COP systems--looking at you, VW--were prone to =
gremlins and I still hear about COP failures on newer cars and other =
makes, esp. with DOHC engines which always, eventually, seem to get =
leaky valve cover gaskets which dump oil into the plug tubes (as opposed =
to leaky Healey valve cover gaskets which just dump oil, well, =
everywhere).
OK, caffeine rush is fading. Ciao.
Bob
* Note coils for our Healeys come with either 'SW' ('switch;' i.e. =
ignition switch) and 'CB' ('contact breaker;' i.e. points/distributor) =
or '+' and '-' labels on the primary terminals. They'll work either way, =
but some voodoo is employed whereby, when properly connected the =
secondary field is routed in series with the primary circuit to give a =
slight boost to produced spark.
On 5/4/2023 4:43 AM, josef-eckert--- via Healeys wrote:
Sorry, I am out here. This guy wants to play till the engine is shot.
=20
=20
=20
-----Original-Nachricht-----
Betreff: RE: [Healeys] Spark plug gap
Datum: 2023-05-04T12:45:37+0200
"simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com" =
<simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com>
=20
=20
=20
Thanks for that. I=E2=80=99ll certainly bear it in mind. Likewise, =
I=E2=80=99ll keep a close eye on my engine=E2=80=99s temperature. The =
latter is quite well protected with a modern rad, all the correct =
baffles, 5 blade fan plus electronic fan. But, as I said, I=E2=80=99ll =
keep an eye on it.
Someone mentioned that he used =E2=80=9CIridium=E2=80=9D plugs from NGK. =
I googled them=E2=80=A6.horribly expensive. Can they be worth it in our =
old cars?
Simon
=20
Sent: 04 May 2023 07:06
To: simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com =
Subject: AW: [Healeys] Spark plug gap
=20
For me, i prefer Champion plugs plugs to NGK, but that=C2=B4s a matter =
of taste. I think both, Champion and NGK, are of similar quality. Matter =
of taste, as I wrote. But NOT the car manufacturer determines the plug =
gap, its the plug manufacturer. Definitely the car manufacturer takes =
this for his specs in the workshop manual.
There is to much hype about plugs anyway. I am working as a =
professional, Elecrtonics and Elecrtrcian engineer, at a big classic car =
parts supplier here in Europe and I never go away from the given plug =
gap as set by the plug manufacturer. Austin-Healey engines are not high =
tech, they are tractor engines and can take a lot of misfit, but anyway =
BMC knew at the time what=C2=B4s best to do with them, even its printed =
60 or 70 years ago.
Some people try to adjust the fuel mixture with a CO-tester. You can do =
that, but it doesn=C2=B4t give best results for road use, especially in =
hotter climates and high above sea level.=20
When you are very good in engine engineering and have all the tools you =
can try to find some more horsepower in your engine, but you always pay =
that with some more heat produced, which is not at all good for our old =
BMC engines.
=20
Josef
=20
=20
=20
-----Original-Nachricht-----
Betreff: RE: [Healeys] Spark plug gap
Datum: 2023-05-04T00:06:58+0200
Von: "simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com =
<simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com =
=20
=20
=20
You may be right. Not sure.=20
Actually I thought that the gap was determined by the car=E2=80=99s =
manufacturer ie one could expect to find the same plug in two different =
cars and to find that the recommended gap was not the same for each car.
Likewise, the BMC manual suggests Champion plugs at 0.024=E2=80=9D to =
0.026=E2=80=9D and that was some 60+ years ago. I=E2=80=99ve always been =
told that Champion plugs aren=E2=80=99t the best in the world and =
I=E2=80=99m sure that a modern NGK can stand a little more heat than the =
Champions that were around 60 years ago.
Anyhow, I=E2=80=99ll keep an eye on them. I=E2=80=99m a pretty tame =
driver so there won=E2=80=99t be undue stress under the bonnet.
Simon
=20
Sent: 03 May 2023 20:56
To: simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com =
Subject: AW: [Healeys] Spark plug gap
=20
Spark plugs are designed and tested to be used with the gap given by the =
producer of the spark plug.
When you widen the gap the plug gets hotter as it is designed for and =
the electrode can melt or wear very fast.
Its a very short win you gain modifying them.
I never understand why people think they are better engineers and know =
better than the designers of the system they use.
=20
Josef=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
-----Original-Nachricht-----
Betreff: [Healeys] Spark plug gap
Datum: 2023-05-03T21:39:57+0200
Von: "Simon Lachlan via Healeys" <healeys@autox.team.net =
>
=20
=20
=20
I run my MkII BT7 on NGK BP6ES which were recommended by some of the =
wise ones on this list.
The car has a =E2=80=9CSports=E2=80=9D coil and a 123Ignition =
distributor. DW fast road cam=E2=80=A6etc
Now, talking of =E2=80=9Crecommended=E2=80=9D, the rolling road guys =
told me to set the plugs at 0.028=E2=80=9D and pooh-poohed anything =
bigger when I suggested that I=E2=80=99d heard of much greater gaps with =
my approximate setup.
So, I went with 0.028.
The other day, I decided to experiment and set my spare set at =
0.032=E2=80=9D. Same NGKs, no mileage on them..decent plugs. Anyhow, it =
made a very surprising difference. All round performance is much =
enhanced.
Despite it=E2=80=99s 3:54 diff and 28% OD, it was never sluggish on our =
local hills. But now it fairly zooms up them.
To be frank, all a bit of a surprise.
Not boasting=E2=80=A6just putting that out there in case anyone else is =
thinking of going up a few thou=E2=80=A6..
When I asked about gaps a few years back, some of the suggestions were =
near 0.040=E2=80=9D. Surely that a bit much?
Simon
=20
=20
=EF=BB=BF=20
_______________________________________________
=20
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys =
http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys
=20
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
=20
http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/bspidell@comcast.net
=20
=20
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue =
vlink=3Dpurple style=3D'word-wrap:break-word'><div =
class=3DWordSection1><p class=3DMsoNormal>Bob =E2=80=93 I=E2=80=99m =
afraid you have me confused=E2=80=A6<o:p></o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'>You =
indicated =E2=80=9C=E2=80=A6theoretically, as long as the spark is hot =
enough to jump the gap it will ignite a proper mixture. A very lean =
mixture is harder to ignite, and a very rich mixture could 'drown' the =
spark ('stratified charge' engines use a richer mixture to ignite a =
leaner mixture). A hotter spark may more reliably ignite a non-ideal =
mixture, and may help a bit to ignite a proper one (higher compression =
engines require a hotter spark)=E2=80=A6.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0 =
<o:p></o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'>BUT Josef tells us that =E2=80=9C =E2=80=A6<span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> =
Some people try to adjust the fuel mixture with a CO-tester. You can do =
that, but it doesn=C2=B4t give best results for road use, especially in =
hotter climates and high above sea level. =
=E2=80=A6=E2=80=9D<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p> </o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>SO =
=E2=80=93 If one can use an instrument and get a perfectly =
stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and it doesn=E2=80=99t give best results =
[Worse at altitude or in the summer driving season!] =E2=80=93 then =
surely all this fiddling with the spark plug gap to account for the =
engine=E2=80=99s particulars must be a fool=E2=80=99s errand, and cannot =
possibly work!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p> </o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>P.S=
.: And whatever you =E2=80=93 do NOT adjust the timing to try to make =
the car run its best.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>----------------<o:p></o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>All the best,<o:p></o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal>Al =
Fuller<o:p></o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div =
style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in =
0in 0in'><p class=3DMsoNormal><b>From:</b> Healeys =
<healeys-bounces@autox.team.net> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Bob =
Spidell<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 4, 2023 7:56 AM<br><b>To:</b> =
healeys@autox.team.net<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Healeys] Spark plug =
gap<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'>I'll chime in here (as is my wont). I'm =
not an EE--my electrical knowledge is self-taught--so if I'm incorrect =
feel free to correct.<br><br>The theoretical output of a coil--which is =
essentially half of an AC transformer--is determined by the ratio of its =
secondary winding to its primary. For example, a coil with 10 primary =
windings and 20,000 secondary windings will boost the primary 'signal' =
2,000 times, so it would boost a primary signal of 12V to 24,000 volts. =
When the primary pulse to the coil is discontinued--e.g. points =
open--both the primary and secondary induced electrical fields collapse, =
and the secondary field is directed to the plugs*. The secondary field =
collapses until it produces sufficient voltage to overcome the =
resistance of the plug gap; hence the width of the gap determines the =
strength of the spark. For example--pulling numbers out of my exhaust =
pipe--if a 0.025" gap requires 10K volts to produce a spark, then a =
0.030" gap might require 12K volts to produce a spark. So, a larger =
gap produces a 'hotter' spark, up to the theoretical limit of the coil, =
and a hotter spark is better, no? Well, yes and no; theoretically, as =
long as the spark is hot enough to jump the gap it will ignite a proper =
mixture. A very lean mixture is harder to ignite, and a very rich =
mixture could 'drown' the spark ('stratified charge' engines use a =
richer mixture to ignite a leaner mixture). A hotter spark may more =
reliably ignite a non-ideal mixture, and may help a bit to ignite a =
proper one (higher compression engines require a hotter spark). But, as =
Josef noted, since every spark transmits some of the non-ground =
electrode--probably billions of atoms--to the ground electrode a hotter =
spark will erode the electrode faster (since erosion starts with the =
first spark and with a wider gap you should re-gap more often). Note =
condensers (capacitors) are used in points systems and SU fuel pumps to =
suppress spark arcing and subsequent points erosion. Which is why =
...<br><br>Exotic metal--platinum or iridium--plugs are more resistant =
to erosion, which is why newer cars can go 80K miles or more without a =
'tuneup,' which, for all intents-and-purposes just means swapping plugs =
(note they come in 'single' (default) or 'dual' types, meaning one or =
both electrodes are the exotic metal, respectively) . Old-style plugs =
with copper and steel electrodes can reliably go 15K miles or more, with =
one or two re-gaps, so exotic metal plugs aren't particularly useful for =
our cars which might do a couple thousand miles a year but, hey, knock =
yourself out. Note that platinum and iridium plugs come pre-gapped, and =
you'd best not mess with them. When I swapped plugs on my '08 Mustang I =
couldn't find a gap spec anywhere, but IIRC I futzed with them anyway =
(of course) and think they were all about 0.025". Fortunately, the =
car still ran well after my meddling and I traded it in in a few years =
anyway. Curiously, I watched a David Vizard video where he claimed he =
saw a <i>slight</i> mileage increase using E3 'DiamondFire' plugs, so =
there may be something to the plug voodoo. Fun fact: All the iridium on =
planet Earth came from a single asteroid, and is found in a layer of =
said earth deposited around the same time the dinosaurs went kaput. =
Coincidence? I think not.<br><br>Anybody who's worked on 'modern' cars, =
say, newer than 2000MY or so, has noted 'Coil On Plug' ('COP') =
technology, where each plug get its own coil. Now, the coils on these =
are small, about the size of an old 35mm film canister--remember =
those?--and you might say to yourself 'Self, how do they stuff all that =
wiring into that little film canister' and the answer is, the wires =
gotta be real tiny and, yep, as you might expect they are fragile =
compared to our Bud Light can-sized (sorry) old school Lucas coils. =
Early COP systems--looking at you, VW--were prone to gremlins and I =
still hear about COP failures on newer cars and other makes, esp. with =
DOHC engines which always, eventually, seem to get leaky valve cover =
gaskets which dump oil into the plug tubes (as opposed to leaky Healey =
valve cover gaskets which just dump oil, well, everywhere).<br><br>OK, =
caffeine rush is fading. Ciao.<br><br>Bob<br><br>* Note coils for our =
Healeys come with either 'SW' ('switch;' i.e. ignition switch) and =
'CB' ('contact breaker;' i.e. points/distributor) or '+' and '-' =
labels on the primary terminals. They'll work either way, but some =
voodoo is employed whereby, when properly connected the secondary field =
is routed in series with the primary circuit to give a slight boost to =
produced spark.<br><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>On =
5/4/2023 4:43 AM, josef-eckert--- via Healeys =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote =
style=3D'margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Sor=
ry, I am out here. This guy wants to play till the engine is =
shot.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'>-----Original-Nachricht-----<o:p></o:p></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'>Betreff: RE: [Healeys] Spark plug =
gap<o:p></o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'>Datum: =
2023-05-04T12:45:37+0200<o:p></o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'>Von: <a =
href=3D"mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com";>"simon.lachlan@ale=
xarevel.plus.com"</a> <a =
href=3D"mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com";><simon.lachlan@alexa=
revel.plus.com></a><o:p></o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'>An: <a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";>"josef-eckert@t-online.de&q=
uot;</a> <a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";><josef-eckert@t-online.de>=
</a><o:p></o:p></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'> <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Than=
ks for that. I=E2=80=99ll certainly bear it in mind. Likewise, =
I=E2=80=99ll keep a close eye on my engine=E2=80=99s temperature. The =
latter is quite well protected with a modern rad, all the correct =
baffles, 5 blade fan plus electronic fan. But, as I said, I=E2=80=99ll =
keep an eye on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Some=
one mentioned that he used =E2=80=9CIridium=E2=80=9D plugs from NGK. I =
googled them=E2=80=A6.horribly expensive. Can they be worth it in our =
old cars?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Simo=
n<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid =
#E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><strong><spa=
n =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>From=
:</span></strong><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> <a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";>josef-eckert@t-online.de</a> <a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";><josef-eckert@t-online.de>=
</a> <br><strong><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sent:</span></strong> 04 May =
2023 07:06<br><strong><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>To:</span></strong> <a =
href=3D"mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com";>simon.lachlan@alexareve=
l.plus.com</a>; Healey, Forum <a =
href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net";><healeys@autox.team.net></a>=
<br><strong><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Subject:</span></strong> AW: =
[Healeys] Spark plug gap<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>For=
me, i prefer Champion plugs plugs to NGK, but that=C2=B4s a matter of =
taste. I think both, Champion and NGK, are of similar quality. Matter of =
taste, as I wrote. But NOT the car manufacturer determines the plug gap, =
its the plug manufacturer. Definitely the car manufacturer takes this =
for his specs in the workshop manual.</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The=
re is to much hype about plugs anyway. I am working as a professional, =
Elecrtonics and Elecrtrcian engineer, at a big classic car parts =
supplier here in Europe and I never go away from the given plug gap as =
set by the plug manufacturer. Austin-Healey engines are not high =
tech, they are tractor engines and can take a lot of misfit, but anyway =
BMC knew at the time what=C2=B4s best to do with them, even its printed =
60 or 70 years ago.</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Som=
e people try to adjust the fuel mixture with a CO-tester. You can do =
that, but it doesn=C2=B4t give best results for road use, especially in =
hotter climates and high above sea level. </span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Whe=
n you are very good in engine engineering and have all the tools you can =
try to find some more horsepower in your engine, but you always pay that =
with some more heat produced, which is not at all good for our old BMC =
engines.</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Jos=
ef</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>----=
-Original-Nachricht-----<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Betr=
eff: RE: [Healeys] Spark plug gap<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Datu=
m: 2023-05-04T00:06:58+0200<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Von:=
"<a =
href=3D"mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com";>simon.lachlan@alexareve=
l.plus.com</a>" <<a =
href=3D"mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com";>simon.lachlan@alexareve=
l.plus.com</a>><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>An: =
"<a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";>josef-eckert@t-online.de</a>&quo=
t; <<a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";>josef-eckert@t-online.de</a>>=
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You =
may be right. Not sure. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Actu=
ally I thought that the gap was determined by the car=E2=80=99s =
manufacturer ie one could expect to find the same plug in two different =
cars and to find that the recommended gap was not the same for each =
car.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Like=
wise, the BMC manual suggests Champion plugs at 0.024=E2=80=9D to =
0.026=E2=80=9D and that was some 60+ years ago. I=E2=80=99ve always been =
told that Champion plugs aren=E2=80=99t the best in the world and =
I=E2=80=99m sure that a modern NGK can stand a little more heat than the =
Champions that were around 60 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Anyh=
ow, I=E2=80=99ll keep an eye on them. I=E2=80=99m a pretty tame driver =
so there won=E2=80=99t be undue stress under the =
bonnet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Simo=
n<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid =
#E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><strong><spa=
n =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>From=
:</span></strong><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> <a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";>josef-eckert@t-online.de</a> =
<<a =
href=3D"mailto:josef-eckert@t-online.de";>josef-eckert@t-online.de</a>>=
<br><strong><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sent:</span></strong> 03 May =
2023 20:56<br><strong><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>To:</span></strong> <a =
href=3D"mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com";>simon.lachlan@alexareve=
l.plus.com</a>; <a =
href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net";>healeys@autox.team.net</a><br><str=
ong><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Subject:</span></strong> AW: =
[Healeys] Spark plug gap<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Spa=
rk plugs are designed and tested to be used with the gap given by the =
producer of the spark plug.</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Whe=
n you widen the gap the plug gets hotter as it is designed for and the =
electrode can melt or wear very fast.</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Its=
a very short win you gain modifying them.</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>I =
never understand why people think they are better engineers and know =
better than the designers of the system they use.</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Jos=
ef </span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;</span><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>----=
-Original-Nachricht-----<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Betr=
eff: [Healeys] Spark plug gap<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Datu=
m: 2023-05-03T21:39:57+0200<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Von:=
"Simon Lachlan via Healeys" <<a =
href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net";>healeys@autox.team.net</a>><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>An: =
"'Healeys'" <<a =
href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net";>healeys@autox.team.net</a>><o:p=
></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style=3D'margin:0in'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>I =
run my MkII BT7 on NGK BP6ES which were recommended by some of the wise =
ones on this list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The =
car has a =E2=80=9CSports=E2=80=9D coil and a 123Ignition distributor. =
DW fast road cam=E2=80=A6etc<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Now,=
talking of =E2=80=9Crecommended=E2=80=9D, the rolling road guys told me =
to set the plugs at 0.028=E2=80=9D and pooh-poohed anything bigger when =
I suggested that I=E2=80=99d heard of much greater gaps with my =
approximate setup.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>So, =
I went with 0.028.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The =
other day, I decided to experiment and set my spare set at =
0.032=E2=80=9D. Same NGKs, no mileage on them..decent plugs. Anyhow, it =
made a very surprising difference. All round performance is much =
enhanced.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Desp=
ite it=E2=80=99s 3:54 diff and 28% OD, it was never sluggish on our =
local hills. But now it fairly zooms up them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>To =
be frank, all a bit of a surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Not =
boasting=E2=80=A6just putting that out there in case anyone else is =
thinking of going up a few thou=E2=80=A6..<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>When=
I asked about gaps a few years back, some of the suggestions were near =
0.040=E2=80=9D. Surely that a bit much?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Simo=
n<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nbs=
p;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=3DMsoNormal>=EF=BB=BF =
<br><br><o:p></o:p></p><pre>_____________________________________________=
__<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>Support Team.Net <a =
href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html";>http://www.team.net/donate.html<=
/a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre>Suggested annual donation=C2=A0 =
$12.75<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>Archive: <a =
href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys";>http://www.team.net/piperm=
ail/healeys</a> <a =
href=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys";>http://autox.team.net/arch=
ive/healeys</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre><a =
href=3D"mailto:Healeys@autox.team.net";>Healeys@autox.team.net</a><o:p></o=
:p></pre><pre><a =
href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys";>http://autox.team=
.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p><=
/pre><pre>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a =
href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/bspidell@comcast.ne=
t">http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/bspidell@comcast.net</a>=
<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre></blockquote><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>
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--===============1698992989029018679==
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_______________________________________________
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys
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