Spark Plug Gapping Tool?
 

What are you guys using to gap your spark plugs precisely?

I have a pretty good Kinchrome Feeler gauge for checking plug gaps up to 0.040", but I'd like to get myself an accurate gapping tool.

I've seen the coin type of gapping tools, but have read they aren't very accurate.

I've read of people using pointy nose pliers, but this makes me nervous :confused:

Anything out there that's reliable and consistently accurate?

ARE THESE ANY GOOD???

Hi Merv,

I was taught way back in high school auto class (many years ago)that one should always use a round wire type of gapper. The idea is that the round wire will be of consistent size and a wedge type gapper will always be off to one side.....follow?

I still use my old wire type gage.

Bosch makes one

I got my Bosch one years ago from Imparts (remember them?).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1169499333.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1169499345.jpg

-Chris

Cool! How does one go opening the gap with that tool?

A mechanic friend of mine has the coolest gapper I have seen. I looks like one of those old label makers with the squeese handles. There is a dial on the top that he adjusts to the desired gap. The plug goes into a slot and he squeeses the handles together. It takes about two minutes to gap 6 plugs and they are indentical every time. I think he said it was either Mac or $nap-On. I havent seen one for sale on the reatil circuit.

In two minutes I can gap 20 plugs by hand and drink a beer at the same time. lol

Even a sloppy gab job is off by +/- .002. I wouldn't sweat the small stuff.

Which type of gaping tool can make the ground electrode parallel to the center electrode? Or would that be true perpendicular?

That's what I want.

http://www.wkjeeps.com/engine/spark_plug_gen.jpg

Some higher compression motors don't like the longer ground strap at all. It can act as a heat sink and cause pre-ignition problems.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1169499333.jpg

- you use the long lever with the hook to bend the electrode


-nice pic, Chris

I bought one off the Snap-On truck 30 years ago. It's a pliers type. Rotate the head for desired gap, insert plug on stirrup and squeeze. Done. I've seen the same one at Sears and other tool houses.

What about something like this???

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1169520726.jpg

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+400360+115+303686&autoview=sku
About $40.00

http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-380700-Gapping-Pliers/dp/B000BW8T14
That's what I had in mind - thanks.

Anyone have another suggestion?

Thats exactly what I was talking about. Where did you find that and how much are they? The mechanic friend I was referring to builds race engines for a living and swears by it. When I asked him how much it was he replied "you don't want to know and I would be embarrassed to tell you".

Read my post above.

Got it, I didn't see that you had quoted WydRyd in your post. But I went back and clicked on your links after the fact. THANKS.

Those are around $138 down here in Aus :mad:

Damn it, our local Jacobs distributor/supplier no longer brings these in :mad: I'll have to import one I suppose :confused:

Go to Aircraft Spruce or Wicks and see what they're selling for the gapping of aircraft plugs. The one I useta use was very precise and not that expensive.

Hey Merv, That's almost the same one I have. Mine doesn't have the upgraded cushy handles.