Thread: Fixing a strange engine noise and then some

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OK - (thanks first for those that helped some on my education) my new push rods arrived along with a couple other semi related parts and I'll be putting the engine back together and hoping no more strange noises.

I'm putting in new spark plugs - nahh, doesn't really need them, mileage wise, just want to....... The gap - normal for this crate engine is .054. I have a complete MSD - coil, box and distributor, 9.5 c.r., mild Ford Racing 'E' camshaft . Is that a good gap or should they be opened a bit to say .060 or so? I looked on the MSD forum and they are kinda wishy wash - basically suggesting copper core plugs (the new NGK 'G's aren't) then maybe play around for a sweet spot starting in somewhere .035 and going up from there once you weed through their blather - HUH!!

Any suggestions?? Comments?

Originally Posted by IC2

OK - (thanks first for those that helped some on my education) my new push rods arrived along with a couple other semi related parts and I'll be putting the engine back together and hoping no more strange noises.

I'm putting in new spark plugs - nahh, doesn't really need them, mileage wise, just want to....... The gap - normal for this crate engine is .054. I have a complete MSD - coil, box and distributor, 9.5 c.r., mild Ford Racing 'E' camshaft . Is that a good gap or should they be opened a bit to say .060 or so? I looked on the MSD forum and they are kinda wishy wash - basically suggesting copper core plugs (the new NGK 'G's aren't) then maybe play around for a sweet spot starting in somewhere .035 and going up from there once you weed through their blather - HUH!!

Any suggestions?? Comments?

i have have good luck at .035 to .045 with the msd stuff no need to go that big less you want to check if your plug wires for leaksno need to buy any plugs better then a copper core .. ngk.s or denso.s accel.s all have the U goove . i use only auto lites. any thing other then AC.s you can play with this stuff but. i never seen any thing .i a low dollar plug guy

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

i have have good luck at .035 to .045 with the msd stuff no need to go that big less you want to check if your plug wires for leaksno need to buy any plugs better then a copper core .. ngk.s or denso.s accel.s all have the U goove . i use only auto lites. any thing other then AC.s you can play with this stuff but. i never seen any thing .i a low dollar plug guy

Pat - why would you go less then at least the original, and in this case, .054? I was under the impression that these gaps were optimized for the electronic ignition systems, fuel charge burn efficiency/gas mileage (tho I really don't care so much about that-it's a fun car, not a daily driver). Granted, I used to use .035 on my past push rod Fords with the Dura Spark ignition even with an MSD box and coil in a couple cases. Heck, if that's a better gap, and I know why, I'll 'fix' the plugs now

As far as those plugs, from Rock Auto at about $2.50 each including postage is cheaper then I can buy a copper core Auto-Lite locally - even Wally World. (Heck, a plug is cheaper now then a quart of their house brand oil)