Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (February 2003, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Sat, 15 Feb 2003 11:40:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Allan S Muller <photoallan@PHOTOALLAN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Allan S Muller <photoallan@PHOTOALLAN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Gap of Sparks
In-Reply-To:  <BA739EEF.2810%mwmiller@cwnet.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

It all works together. The gap of the plug is important because it can affect when the plug fires. Wider the gap the later it fires, closer the gap the sooner it fires for a given voltage. If the gap is correct, and the timing is correct, the wires, cap, rotor, points or pickup are in good condition then the plugs will fire and ignite the fuel/air mixture at the proper position of the piston. All the variables need be inline for proper performance.

The other factors are the condition of the spark plug wires (resistance of the wire; cracks in the insulation causing shorts to place they don't belong, etc.) the condition of the coil (resistance and ability to produce the correct Voltage to the distributor and on to the wires, spark plug wires are affected by age/heat/voltage load carried etc. They don't last forever.

Allan

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Mike Miller Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 10:38 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Gap of Sparks

Ben,

You're probably right but doesn't when the points close [either directly or as a sensor] determine when the plug fires, not the distance across the gap?

Somebody on this list has got to know how this works really. Given the state of my knowledge practically anybody will do.

Where's David B when we need him?

Sylvan! Wake the old bear up.

Mike

On 2/14/03 11:20 PM, "Ben McCafferty" <ben@VOLKSCAFE.COM> wrote:

> No, I think you're right and we're saying the same thing. Now I'm really > reaching here back to high school physics, but if I recall correctly, it > takes about 20,000 volts to jump 1 centimeter. Can someone confirm or > refute that? In any case, if it takes more volts to jump a longer distance, > a larger gap would mean higher voltage before the spark would get across, > and a smaller gap would mean lower voltage to get across. I think that > means smaller gap=quicker spark=lower voltage=cooler fire and larger > gap=slower spark=higher voltage=hotter fire. > > Am I missing something here? > tx, > bmc :) > Ben McCafferty > ben@volkscafe.com > > Volks Cafe > 1823 Soquel Avenue > Santa Cruz, CA 95062 > 831-426-1244 > http://volkscafe.com > > >> From: Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM> >> Reply-To: Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM> >> Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 23:07:21 -0800 >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >> Subject: Re: Gap of Sparks >> >> Really? >> >> Darn I misunderstood gap and timing then. I thought too wide a gap and it >> was hard for the plug to fire and too narrow and the spark wasn't big enough >> to light the fire efficiently. >> >> Mike >> >> On 2/14/03 5:37 PM, "Ben McCafferty" <ben@VOLKSCAFE.COM> wrote: >> >>> If gap is too short, spark happens early; if too long, spark happens late. >>> In either case it will affect timing and combustion. I believe it will also >>> tend to shorten the life of the electrode on the plug, but I'll let the EEs >>> chime in on that. >>> tx, >>> bmc :) >>> Ben McCafferty >>> ben@volkscafe.com >>> >>> Volks Cafe >>> 1823 Soquel Avenue >>> Santa Cruz, CA 95062 >>> 831-426-1244 >>> http://volkscafe.com >>> >>> >>>> From: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM> >>>> Reply-To: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM> >>>> Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 12:16:49 -0800 >>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>>> Subject: Re: Gap of Sparks >>>> >>>> So what happens when the sparks you've got installed are not of the correct >>>> gap? I use only W7CCO by Bosch >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> From: Mike Miller <mwmiller@cwnet.com> >>>> >>>>> >>>>> I only use Bosch and they're rarely the correct gap right out of the box. >>>>> >>>>> Mike >>>>> >>>>> On 2/14/03 9:24 AM, "Mark Dorm" <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I thought Bosch plugs were preset to gap no problem... >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> As to the slow starting, there's lots of things, but have you checked >>>>> your >>>>>>> timing? Also, with your new plugs, did you check the gap? Lots of >>>>> times >>>>>>> people think they come preset to the correct gap, and they usually >>>>> don't. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> tx, >>>>>>> bmc :) >>>>>>> Ben McCafferty >>>>>>> ben@volkscafe.com >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _________________________________________________________________ >>>>>> Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* >>>>>> http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail >>>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _________________________________________________________________ >>>> The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* >>>> http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail >>> >

--- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.455 / Virus Database: 255 - Release Date: 2/13/2003

--- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.455 / Virus Database: 255 - Release Date: 2/13/2003


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.