Spark plug gap? - Page 2

**ringadingh** · 02-12-2011, 04:38 PM

I have a few motors around here that still have points in them.

elvis · 02-12-2011, 07:36 PM

Thanks Scott, Steve et al,

I just got home from Canadian Tire, didn't find the spark plugs that are required (by the book). I'll go to a bigger Canadian Tire and look for those iridium ones.

My wife was with me, with a little hint, I got my St. Valentine's gift: A torque wrench which was priced 50% off.

Cheers,

E.

**ringadingh** · 02-12-2011, 09:16 PM

The Canadian Tire store here didn't carry the Iridium plugs either, I went to Parts Source which is owned by Canadian Tire and they had them within a day. I got them when they had NGK plugs on sale back a couple years ago.

paul · 02-12-2011, 10:14 PM

Use E-3's. no gapping and easy starts.

**cnc** · 02-13-2011, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

Probably splitting hairs here, but when a range is given I was taught to gap closer to the smaller value. That way as the electrode wears over time the gap is in the proper range longer.
Same thing holds true for points.

They still use ignition points?

I have a number of older motors here that have points in them.

**Teachme** · 02-13-2014, 06:46 PM

This is w hat my local advance auto has and suggest for my bike NGK Nickel Spark Plug (DPR6EA-9) 1500 nomad 2001
i trust yall more than i trust them so what should i get i noticed she is a tad hard to start when cold gonna run some seafoam when the snow melts so i can ride her but from past bike experience new plugs have fixed that issue more times than not.

blowndodge · 02-13-2014, 07:47 PM

You can't blame me for this resurrection TC!!!

**cnc** · 02-13-2014, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

You can't blame me for this resurrection TC!!!

Yeah but you planted the seed.

muz · 02-13-2014, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

Probably splitting hairs here, but when a range is given I was taught to gap closer to the smaller value. That way as the electrode wears over time the gap is in the proper range longer.
Same thing holds true for points.

Not quite correct, points close as the rubbing block wears so they should be set a little wider.
Sorry I know this an old thread, just couldn't resist.

**cnc** · 02-13-2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muz

Not quite correct, points should be set a little wider.
Sorry I know this an old thread, just couldn't resist.

Point gap will widen over time as they wear, but setting them too close will cause them to burn, too wide and you have a weaker spark. Actually the correct way is to check your work with a dwell meter after.

blowndodge · 02-13-2014, 11:20 PM

Adjusting points on an ancient Nomad or HD is hard work Norm!

muz · 02-13-2014, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

Point gap will widen over time as they wear, but setting them too close will cause them to burn, too wide and you have a weaker spark. Actually the correct way is to check your work with a dwell meter after.

Point gap will close in time as the rubbing block on the points arm wears so they must be set a little wider............. Just think about it for a moment. Cam and rubbing block on the inside.

Having the points to wide will reduce the dwell or closed circuit time which in turn reduces the time the coil has to build a magnetic field therefore reducing the output of the coil when that field collapses across the secondary winding when the points finally break. You also run the risk of the points not closing at all.

**cnc** · 02-13-2014, 11:49 PM

So you think the cam follower wears faster than the points themselves? ,hey we all have our opinions.

Yeah I know Brad that's why you bought one of this'd new fangled Vic's

muz · 02-14-2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

So you think the cam follower wears faster than the points themselves? ,hey we all have our opinions.

Yeah I know Brad that's why you bought one of this'd new fangled Vic's

It wouldn't matter which one wears.........the points would still close in time.
Are you possibly thinking about some other type of points ignition system that's different from the normal type?
If so please share.

muz · 02-14-2014, 12:41 AM

Hold on a sec........are you talking about the point contact face wearing??
If so the rubbing block would still wear way faster than the face. Infact the face usually ends up with a dag stuck to it which again closes the gap.
I have replaced more points than most people have had hot dinners in my 40 odd years in the automotive industry and seen just about every scenario there is with ignition points. But I will agree if you are talking about the contact face then there is a possibility, remote, but possible of a wider gap. I have never seen it. In magneto systems the contact face does not seem wear at all so the rubbing block gets the tiara once again for wear.
I am assuming that both condenser and coil are in good condition here.

02-12-2011, 04:38 PM	#16
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Spark plug gap? I have a few motors around here that still have points in them. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-12-2011, 07:36 PM	#17
elvis Sr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,785	Spark plug gap? Thanks Scott, Steve et al, I just got home from Canadian Tire, didn't find the spark plugs that are required (by the book). I'll go to a bigger Canadian Tire and look for those iridium ones. My wife was with me, with a little hint, I got my St. Valentine's gift: A torque wrench which was priced 50% off. Cheers, E.
	0

02-12-2011, 09:16 PM	#18
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Spark plug gap? The Canadian Tire store here didn't carry the Iridium plugs either, I went to Parts Source which is owned by Canadian Tire and they had them within a day. I got them when they had NGK plugs on sale back a couple years ago. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

02-12-2011, 10:14 PM	#19
paul Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: magnolia, tx Posts: 1,500	Spark plug gap? Use E-3's. no gapping and easy starts. __________________ The beatings will stop when morale improves.
	0

02-13-2014, 06:46 PM	#21
Teachme Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Woodleaf ,NC Posts: 418	This is w hat my local advance auto has and suggest for my bike NGK Nickel Spark Plug (DPR6EA-9) 1500 nomad 2001 i trust yall more than i trust them so what should i get i noticed she is a tad hard to start when cold gonna run some seafoam when the snow melts so i can ride her but from past bike experience new plugs have fixed that issue more times than not. Last edited by Teachme; 02-13-2014 at 06:50 PM.
	0

02-13-2014, 07:47 PM	#22
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	You can't blame me for this resurrection TC!!! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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02-13-2014, 11:20 PM	#26
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Adjusting points on an ancient Nomad or HD is hard work Norm! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

02-13-2014, 11:49 PM	#28
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	So you think the cam follower wears faster than the points themselves? ,hey we all have our opinions. Yeah I know Brad that's why you bought one of this'd new fangled Vic's __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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02-14-2014, 12:41 AM	#30
muz Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Perth Australia Posts: 183	Hold on a sec........are you talking about the point contact face wearing?? If so the rubbing block would still wear way faster than the face. Infact the face usually ends up with a dag stuck to it which again closes the gap. I have replaced more points than most people have had hot dinners in my 40 odd years in the automotive industry and seen just about every scenario there is with ignition points. But I will agree if you are talking about the contact face then there is a possibility, remote, but possible of a wider gap. I have never seen it. In magneto systems the contact face does not seem wear at all so the rubbing block gets the tiara once again for wear. I am assuming that both condenser and coil are in good condition here. __________________ "If it ain't broke...........fix it till it is" Last edited by muz; 02-14-2014 at 01:10 AM.
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