[6pack] Spark plug gap with electronic ignition

[Wayne Lee]

 Hi Bill and Dick,
    I'm not sure I understand what Bill means in "Electronic Ignition" if
 Dick is interpreting the system as retaining it's Contact Points.
 Most times the Electronic Ignition System would mean the Points and
 Condenser are being eliminated in the process with a Breakerless
 Setup like the Pertronix or others would provide. The part of the Ignition
 System that substitutes the Points etc. won't play any part in ramping
 up the Spark Voltage or what Dick is refering to a hotter Spark, that's
 still left up to your Coil. As far as Hot or Colder Spark goes that 
normally
 would refer to the Heat Range of your Spark Plugs. It might sound unusual,
 but when one has modified the Engine with Higher Compression Ratio's
 which increase the Thermal Efficiency of the Engine and Higher Lift or
 longer Profile Cams and larger Carbs etc. that increase the Volumetric
 Efficiency of the Engine, You'd actually have to run a Colder Plug, that 
moves the Heat
 Range down, while still having a higher Voltage Coil. When I've had 
stronger
 Coils while retaing the Points and Condenser setup, I've always found that
 the Points and Distributor Caps life would be shortened because of the
 stronger
 Arcing while the Contacts and Arc Gaps are being open/closed and crossed.
   What the claims the manufactures of systems like the Pertronix,
 Lumenition, etc, are founded on is the Flame Propagation qualities and the
 more controlled, smoother effects of getting rid of your Points. The MPG 
claims are based
 more on more complete Combustion making the most of your Air/Fuel mixture.

    I increased my NGK's Spark Plug Gap to .035" with the Pertronix System
 and a Lucas Sports Coil Ignition System. That along with the SU HS6
 Conversion with K&N's yields me about 23-24 mpg on the country roads I 
travel on daily
 to work in my non-Overdrive Car.
 Cheers,
 Wayne Lee
 Douglas, MA
 64 TR4 (project)
 75 TR6  (daily driver)

>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Couzelis,William M.
>> Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2009 9:25 AM
>> To: 6pack at autox.team.net
>> Subject: [6pack] Spark plug gap with electronic ignition
>>
> Hi All,
> I recently installed an electronic ignition with a "Flame Thrower" coil
> (40,000 volts) in my '71 TR-6.  The coil advertises "the higher voltage
> allows larger spark plug gaps for added power, smoother response and
> better fuel economy".  Has anyone tried a larger plug gap then the
> recommended 0.025"?  If so, what gap and did you notice any difference?
> Thanks,
> Bill