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Re: Spark plug gap

To: James Barrett <jamesbrt@mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: Spark plug gap
From: Larry Paulick <larry.p@erols.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 09:39:59 -0400
I wonder if my dyno man knew something, when he changed by plug gap from
.060" to .048", that Jim and the others have indicated.  I am now
inclined to leave my gap at .048" after reading the postings on the net.
 I have also learned a lot about plug gaps, after reading the net sites
from Bob.

Larry

James Barrett wrote:
> 
> Folks,
>         I used to think I knew a bit about spark plug
> gaps, but I did a simple expermient and now I am not so
> sure.  I took a 30K volt power supply and connected up
> a typical spark plug to it in open air.  Nice thick arc
> was apparent.  I then gently blew on the arc and the
> arc formed into about a 1/4" simicircle.  When blowing
> very hard the arc could be blown even in a bigger
> simicircle.  Now explain to me how a spark plug gap
> has any meaning  inside a cylinder when the incomming
> air velocity is much much higher than my breath (and in
> Florida just as humid)?  I assume that air entering
> the cylinder is in the range of 100+ Mph.  I assume that
> the formation of ionization through the air /fuel mixture
> is much much faster, i.e. the speed of a lighting bolt;
> but once the arc starts, does it get blown around due to
> the incomming air/fuel mixture?  It would seem to me that
> wider gaps would have more of a problem with the arc being
> blown around.
> 
> 
> James Barrett Tiger II 351C and others

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