Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Blazing Member fastfraser's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Orangeville, Canada
    Posts
    4,001
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default Iridium Spark Plug Gap

    Hi All I'm installing the DCPR8 Iridium plugs in my 2011 RTS and just want to check the gap to be sure its right . Anyone know the correct gap ?
    Happy Owner






  2. #2
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Greeneville, TN
    Posts
    13,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    If you're gapping true Iridium spark plugs do not use a standard gap tool. The Iridium center electrode is very hard, and very brittle. If you put any pressure on it you will fracture it for sure.
    Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)

    Only SLOW people have to leave on time...





  3. #3
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,268
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default GAP TOOL

    Quote Originally Posted by BajaRon View Post
    If you're gapping true Iridium spark plugs do not use a standard gap tool. The Iridium center electrode is very hard, and very brittle. If you put any pressure on it you will fracture it for sure.
    Thanks Ron, this is great advice .............except for the missing part...................What tool should you use ? ? ?......thanks Mike

  4. #4
    Blazing Member fastfraser's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Orangeville, Canada
    Posts
    4,001
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BajaRon View Post
    If you're gapping true Iridium spark plugs do not use a standard gap tool. The Iridium center electrode is very hard, and very brittle. If you put any pressure on it you will fracture it for sure.
    Hi Ron

    I bought the plugs from you and they have sat on my workbench for awhile. I'm going to install them this week and just wanted to check the gap . What is the correct gap and how should I check it so as to not damage the tip ?
    Happy Owner






  5. #5
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Greeneville, TN
    Posts
    13,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    What am I.. The Answer Man!? You're supposed to be bugging Scotty for this follow up stuff.



    I tell most people to just install the Iridium plugs I sell with the gap they come with to avoid breaking the center electrode.

    But here are 2 good tools for adjusting the gap on Iridium spark plugs. Of course they will work on most any adjustable gap plugs as well. As long as you are careful, either will work well. The Iridium center is fragile. Once you fracture it, even the slightest bit, that plug is done.

    If you're going to adjust your spark plug I recommend .8mm or .032"

    This is what NGK says;

    "The re-gapping of fine wire spark plugs that have very small diameter platinum or iridium alloy electrodes is not recommended due to the risk of damaging the electrodes. Virtually all NGK spark plugs are set to the correct gap for the catalogue applications at the point of manufacture."




    This is the Correct way to do it







    This is the WRONG way to do it.

    This is what you ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO DO! This is a wedge tool which leverages between the center electrode and the ground electrode. It will break your platinum or iridium plug every time. It works fine for standard center electrode plugs, but you'll be crying in your soup if you do this with an Iridium plug.



    Now ask Scotty what the book recommends....
    Last edited by BajaRon; 08-11-2013 at 01:04 PM.
    Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)

    Only SLOW people have to leave on time...





  6. #6
    Very Active Member AbNormy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    SW Austin
    Posts
    979
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    As long as the cardboard tube they come with isn't smashed they should be ok, no?

    Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2
    2012 RT A&C bought new 42312 sold July 2018 56k miles currently driving a 2014 RTSE6 LTD bought October 2018 w 6800 miles nicely farkled
    2014 RT SE6 LTD , White

  7. #7
    Motorbike Professor NancysToy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Allegan, MI
    Posts
    20,514
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    This is the kind of tool I prefer.

    Correct gap in English units is 0.028" - 0.031".
    Last edited by NancysToy; 08-11-2013 at 02:40 PM.
    -Scotty
    2011 Spyder RTS-SM5 (mine)
    2000 BMW R1100RTP, motorized tricycle & 23 vintage bikes
    2011 RT-622 trailer, Aspen Sentry popup camper, custom motorcycle trailer to pull behind the Spyder



    Mutant Trikes Forever!

  8. #8
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Greeneville, TN
    Posts
    13,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NancysToy View Post
    This is the kind of tool I prefer.

    Correct gap in English units is 0.028" - 0.031".
    4 reasons I recommend .8mm or .032" are"

    1- My custom race wire set has much less resistance (50-150 ohms per foot as apposed to the OEM wires which are 1,500~3,000 ohms per foot) so that there is greater spark energy delivered to the spark plug to jump the gap.

    2- It takes less spark energy to jump the gap on an IX Iridium than even the OEM Laser Welded Iridium spark plug.

    3- Most spark plug gap recommendations take into account electrode wear (which increases gap). Since there is virtually zero wear on an IX Iridium spark plug there does not need to be an initial fudge factor in the gap setting.

    4- .032 isn't that much over the higher OEM setting. A wider gap will give you better flame propagation (just a fancy term for better fuel ignition) and with my wire set and IX Iridium spark plugs you will have more than enough energy to jump that gap with a strong spark

    Scotty's recommended tool was developed by racing to quickly and accurately gap multiple spark plugs (V-8). They are relatively easy to use and like Scotty says, they do a great job if used properly (which can be said of any tool).

    These normally run in the $60.00 range but you can get them for just over $30 at Jegs. http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel/110/3807...Fcbm7Aod6mMAfg
    Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)

    Only SLOW people have to leave on time...





  9. #9
    Motorbike Professor NancysToy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Allegan, MI
    Posts
    20,514
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    I like the higher gap with iridium plugs, too. A wide gap gives more spark, but too wide can offer excess electrical resistance. As Ron said, his plugs offer less resistance than a standard plug, so the gap can be kept to the wide side of the spec. The iridium plugs, like platinum plugs, don't wear away fast and open the gap too far, so you can start the gap at maximum, without it opening up excessively as time passes.
    -Scotty
    2011 Spyder RTS-SM5 (mine)
    2000 BMW R1100RTP, motorized tricycle & 23 vintage bikes
    2011 RT-622 trailer, Aspen Sentry popup camper, custom motorcycle trailer to pull behind the Spyder



    Mutant Trikes Forever!

  10. #10
    Blazing Member fastfraser's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Orangeville, Canada
    Posts
    4,001
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Thanks Ron & Scotty

    I don't plan on re-gapping the plugs but because they have sat for a bit on my work bench, I just want to make sure the gap is correct before the install .
    Happy Owner






  11. #11
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Greeneville, TN
    Posts
    13,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fastfraser View Post
    Thanks Ron & Scotty

    I don't plan on re-gapping the plugs but because they have sat for a bit on my work bench, I just want to make sure the gap is correct before the install .
    Not a bad idea to at least check gap. I usually have no idea what the skill level is of customers purchasing these wire/plug sets. So I try to err on the simple side and just recommend installation without checking or setting the gap. I figure the experienced will simply ignore my suggestion and do what they want anyway.
    Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)

    Only SLOW people have to leave on time...





  12. #12
    Very Active Member SNOOPY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    ..
    Posts
    5,233
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BajaRon View Post
    What am I.. The Answer Man!? You're supposed to be bugging Scotty for this follow up stuff.



    I tell most people to just install the Iridium plugs I sell with the gap they come with to avoid breaking the center electrode.

    But here are 2 good tools for adjusting the gap on Iridium spark plugs. Of course they will work on most any adjustable gap plugs as well. As long as you are careful, either will work well. The Iridium center is fragile. Once you fracture it, even the slightest bit, that plug is done.

    If you're going to adjust your spark plug I recommend .8mm or .032"

    This is what NGK says;

    "The re-gapping of fine wire spark plugs that have very small diameter platinum or iridium alloy electrodes is not recommended due to the risk of damaging the electrodes. Virtually all NGK spark plugs are set to the correct gap for the catalogue applications at the point of manufacture."




    This is the Correct way to do it







    This is the WRONG way to do it.

    This is what you ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO DO! This is a wedge tool which leverages between the center electrode and the ground electrode. It will break your platinum or iridium plug every time. It works fine for standard center electrode plugs, but you'll be crying in your soup if you do this with an Iridium plug.



    Now ask Scotty what the book recommends....


    There it is...thanks. Lol


    .

  13. #13
    Active Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2022
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    100
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Sorry, as I know this is an old thread, but Ron, I could’ve sworn that you told me that .034” was a good gap for the 8’s when I bought them last week, so that’s what I did yesterday. I used flat feeler gauges to test adjustments. I’m just confused, because here you’re saying .032”
    ~~2010 RS SE5 My first Spidey, but not my first ride~~

    The trigger’s been pulled. We have to
    get there before the hammer falls.

  14. #14
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Greeneville, TN
    Posts
    13,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DaniBoy View Post
    Sorry, as I know this is an old thread, but Ron, I could’ve sworn that you told me that .034” was a good gap for the 8’s when I bought them last week, so that’s what I did yesterday. I used flat feeler gauges to test adjustments. I’m just confused, because here you’re saying .032”
    Yes, old thread. If you are using carbon core wires I recommend leaving spark plugs at the original gap of .031". But if you are installing a good set of continuous wire core wires. Then opening up the gap to .034" will give you quicker starts, better throttle response, and probably a bit more HP, though not enough to notice.
    Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)

    Only SLOW people have to leave on time...





Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •