In the early 90's the plug gap changed from .044 to .054 w/ stock ignition. Anybody no why or how. My 87's stock gap is .044. Is there something simple like a hotter coil? And could I use the .054 plug or regap .044's.

 

I went through this same delima when I changed plugs recently. The parts store said to gap them to .054, but the chilton book said .044. I thought maybe the plugs had changed since the manual was written, so I tried 'em at .054. It ran worse than with the old plugs (which were at .044) so I ended up pulling them and going back to the .044 gap a couple of days later.

 

The plug gap is listed on the emissions sticker. If it says .054, go with that unless it runs like crap.

 

But how can a 302, just a few years newer, call for .054 which provides a much better spark kernal and more complete ignition of fuel.

 

Must be something different... mine also calls for the .044 gap, and it didn't like the .054 too much.

Something must have changed that requires a different amount of spark.

 

A coil with a hotter spark allows a larger spark plug gap. People open up the gaps when high performance coils are installed.

 

Do you think 92's & newer come stock w/ a larger coil that allows them a .054 gap also stock?

 

Probably. It wasn't until the later fuel injected that it was said not to touch the spark plug wires due to the electric shock hazard. While the older vehicles will hurt you, the newer ones are supposed to kill you, or at least hurt a lot worse than the old ones. What do the aftermarket coils say on them? Something like "Danger, do not touch. 10,000 volts."

 

Volts don't kill you w/o amperage, but the higher the Voltage no doubt increases the odds. Anyway, as per Motorcraft catalog, 87' & 95' N type 302ci engines list identical part #'s for plugs, coil, distributor, Ign.Module & Pick up. But gives 87'/.044 gap & 95'/.054 !!