Spark Plug Gap

[pdxjim]

Vino 50 Service manual says 0.024-0.028in for the plug gap. Anyone notice any difference betwen setting it to .024 versus .028? Or is anywhere in that range sufficient?



Thx

[cycleNdave]

i set mine @ a tad over 25...prob...26...my wrench goes from 20 to 25 then 28...i have no problems with starting and running...but i still need to get my carb lined out..because i'm still running too rich...

[hobolurkin]

Has anyone tried gapping even larger, or smaller, than this? I thought i read somewhere that a larger gap makes a bigger spark and a bigger boom!

[pdxjim]

That's kinda what I was asking. So far, no authoritative responses...

[Zuma-Zuma]

In theory, it works. Up to a point, and just before secondary insulation breaks down. This is why when a plug gets fouled, you can lift the plug cap off the sparkplug a bit, and it will start. On a cdi, lets say it takes 20k volts to jump the gap. Once the spark is established, it may only take 10k to keep it "sparking". The larger the gap, the more initial voltage is required to make the jump, hence a "hotter" spark. What happens when doing this on an experimental basis is at a certain point, its easier for that current to burn through the wire, or burn the coil internally, causing a short. Once this happens, the coil is shot, and will work poorly. Some motors need wide gaps due to their perfomance charatersistics. I haven't done this on my scooter, I guess I haven't seen the need to (yet?)

[pdxjim]

Hmmmm...that's interesting. I figured the bigger the gap, the bigger the spark and the better the combustion, that is until it won't jump the gap any more. I hadn't thought of the current finding a easier, undesireable path to ground. Zuma-zuma, you sound like an electrician.

Good input. Thanks.

I'm still wondering, though, if anyone has noticed any difference between gapping at the max and min? Maybe the answer is just, "no - now go for a ride and leave it be".

Just curious.

[Zuma-Zuma]

Well, give it a try. I've messed with gaps drag racing a car, and the larger gap was better. It didn't work for the drag bikes though....You won't know until you try it!!