How to Gap a Spark Plug

In this instructable you will learn how to properly set the gap on a Spark Plug for your vehicles Ignition System. 

You will need:

1) Spark Plugs
2) Spark Plug Gap Measuring tool
3) Spark Plug Adjustment tool

The first step is to figure out the size of the gap that your vehicle requires.  My vehicle requires a 0.054" spark gap.  We will now measure the gap on one of the new spark plugs using our spark plug gap measuring tool.  As you can see this gap is about .002" larger than what we need.

In order to adjust the gap we will use our spark plug gap adjustment tool.  The tool uses leverage in order to increase or decrease the size of the gap.  Slightly adjusting the gap takes very little force.  In this case we will gently pull the lever toward the opposite side of the spark plugs electrode.  Be careful not to contact the ceramic or metal core in the center of the plug as this might damage the ceramic.  If the ceramic breaks you will need to throw the plug away and purchase a new one.

Once you've completed the adjustment it's time to re-measure the gap.  This gap adjustment was successful.  We now have a gap of .054"  If you don't get the proper gap on the first adjustment, simply repeat the process until the desired result is achieved. This instructable was made using tools from the Auto-Bay at TECHSHOP.