The added power allows them to open the gap yet still provide a strong spark. It is for this reason that most racers add high power ignition systems. Most experienced tuners know that opening gaps up to present a larger spark to the air/fuel mixture maximizes burn efficiency. The larger the gap, the more voltage is needed to bridge the gap. As a rule, the more power you are making, the smaller the gap you will need.Ī spark plug’s voltage requirement is directly proportionate to the gap size. Those with modified engines must remember that a modified engine with higher compression or forced induction will typically require a smaller gap settings (to ensure ignitability in these denser air/fuel mixtures). While it is a popular misconception that plugs are pre-gapped from the factory, the fact remains that the gap must be adjusted for the vehicle that the spark plug is intended for. Since the gap size has a direct affect on the spark plug’s tip temperature and on the voltage necessary to ionize (light) the air/fuel mixture, careful attention is required. Tighten the spark plug finger tight until the gasket reaches the cylinder head, then tighten about 1/2-2/3 turn more with a spark plug wrench.Remove the dirt at the gasket seal of the cylinder head.Confirm that the thread reach of the spark plug is the right one for your engine.Installing spark plugs – Lawn & Garden Equipment Proper torque specs for both aluminum and cast iron cylinder heads are listed below.Ģ. Of course, you should only install spark plugs in a cool engine, because metal expands when its hot and installation may prove difficult. The spark plug holes must always be cleaned prior to installation, otherwise you may be torquing against dirt or debris and the spark plug may actually end up under-torqued, even though your torque wrench says otherwise. Serious engine damage is not far behind.Īn over-torqued spark plug can suffer from severe stress to the Metal Shell which in turn can distort the spark plug’s inner gas seals or even cause a hairline fracture to the spark plug’s insulator…in either case, heat transfer can again be slowed and the above mentioned conditions can occur. This will tend to elevate combustion chamber temperatures to unsafe levels, and pre-ignition and detonation will usually follow. A spark plug that is under-torqued will not be fully seated on the cylinder head, hence heat transfer will be slowed. Torque directly affects the spark plugs’ ability to transfer heat out of the combustion chamber. Torque is one of the most critical aspects of spark plug installation.
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