patdaddy

I don't know if you guys remember me (patdaddy). It's been quite awhile since I posted. I joined the forum and asked for advice about buying a 95 or 96 F150. I wound up buying 2 of them for about $1300 each, 150k miles on one and 173k on the other. I've begun working on one of them and I have a question about spark plug gap. The sticker under my hood says the gap should be between .042 and .046. I've always wondered, is there a best place to set the gap. Is it best to set it at the extreme end, .046 or at the low end, .042 or maybe in the middle. It has to make some difference, but I don't know what.

Also, when I was a kid my dad always bought Standard auto parts for our vehicles. Do any of you guys think they are any good? Or would you just stay OEM?

Hey, thanks for any help, guys.

sylver91

Over time gap does open a fraction on worn plugs, but 0.044-0.046 you are safe. I gap on the higher side when possible. Also the best plugs for the engines are copper cores so OEM plugs are fine but you can also use Autolites or Champion.

fltdriver

I know people won't agree with this but here it is:

I go with copper core/platinum tip (aka-single platinum) just because they last longer and the gap doesn't change as much.

Personally I would set the gap at the lowest recommended setting if going with basic all copper plugs, that way through the natural gap growing you will still be in spec for the life of the plug.