Gapping

[sLADe781]

So I did a search and a lot of threads talked about the gapping of spark plugs but none about how to actually do it. Seeing that I've never gapped a plug before, can someone explain it to me? Hehe We have this coin like thing that my dad gave me that measures the gap but do I just keep pushing it up to gap it?

[Linebckr49]

ya, its almost fool-proof. wedge that coin in there to increase the gap. or you might pry the electrode on the spark plug up first with a screwdriver, then find the correct gap value, and kind of 'hammer' the elctrode down. it shouldn't take much to move the electrode. i've seen people just tap it on the concrete.

[sLADe781]

Wow....that sounds kinda rough. Wouldn't that damage the tip?

[Linebckr49]

no, it does not damage the tip. how else could anyone move the metal tip? you MUST bend it, its that simple. now you might not want to hammer it, but rather just tap it on something hard til the tip is at the correct gap. think about it, gapping is only changing the distance the electrode is away from the tip by a few hundredths of an inch. so no, you won't damage it by bending a little piece of metal that tiny amount. just try it. or ask your pops how he would gap a plug.