Eco spark plug gap
03-23-2013, 06:40 PM
#502
Senior Member
I was expressing that at higher boost levels, the ignition is more likely to break up. I've been is high is 24 psi on an sbc, and had to pay close attention to plug gap, wire condition, etc. Never had the problem at low boost levels. I had always surmised that it takes more voltage or a smaller gap to get a good spark across denser air. That would mean that the resistance is higher/conductance lower.
03-23-2013, 06:53 PM
#503
Senior Member
I was expressing that at higher boost levels, the ignition is more likely to break up. I've been is high is 24 psi on an sbc, and had to pay close attention to plug gap, wire condition, etc. Never had the problem at low boost levels. I had always surmised that it takes more voltage or a smaller gap to get a good spark across denser air. That would mean that the resistance is higher/conductance lower.
You mean dielectric breakdown voltage. It does go up with pressure (unless you're near a hard vacuum) but it is more strongly related to things in the air that can be ionized (like gasoline). I understand the point you're trying make.
If all you eco guys are gapping your plugs down, maybe you should consider a higher energy ignition to begin with.
03-23-2013, 06:57 PM
#504
Electrical resistance increases with pressure and decreases with vacuum.
I have seen a spark plug fire like crazy in open air but put in a cylinder under pressure and you will pull that plug out soaking wet with fuel.
I have seen a spark plug fire like crazy in open air but put in a cylinder under pressure and you will pull that plug out soaking wet with fuel.
Last edited by RLXXI; 03-23-2013 at 07:00 PM.
03-23-2013, 09:35 PM
#505
Senior Member
I would agree with but for a couple of things...with the cop ignition the only thing you can replace is the coils and I'm not sure if the aftermarket makes any yet. Secondly, I learned a long time ago that some aftermarket "high energy" coils are simply stock or reman'd stock coils with fancy labels.
03-23-2013, 09:55 PM
#506
Senior Member
03-23-2013, 10:20 PM
#507
Senior Member
Granted, we don't have access to all the data ford does, but I tend to agree. How else would trucks like mine perform flawlessly in a very humid environment while others can't make it to the corner store without losing power? Condensation wouldn't vary so widely from truck to truck. I think either the ignition power is borderline or the consistency/qc of the coils isn't good.
Somebody with the supposed-condensation issue should swap coils with somebody like me as a test.
Somebody with the supposed-condensation issue should swap coils with somebody like me as a test.
Last edited by engineermike; 03-23-2013 at 10:26 PM.
03-23-2013, 10:41 PM
#508
Its a shame that the Members of this Fourm could more than likely fix all the problems of the F150 before Ford Engineering. I have gotten more useful info on here compared to the Ford dealership. Keep up the good work y'all.
03-23-2013, 10:41 PM
#509
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Granted, we don't have access to all the data ford does, but I tend to agree. How else would trucks like mine perform flawlessly in a very humid environment while others can't make it to the corner store without losing power? Condensation wouldn't vary so widely from truck to truck. I think either the ignition power is borderline or the consistency/qc of the coils isn't good.
Somebody with the supposed-condensation issue should swap coils with somebody like me as a test.
Somebody with the supposed-condensation issue should swap coils with somebody like me as a test.