Quick ? on sparkplug gap

[Richmore]

Hi all,

just wondering, what damage (if any) does having a smaller then recommended sparkplug gap cause?

If suzuki say a healthy ignintion system on a GS should be able to generate a spark that can jump 0.8 - 0.9mm if i re-gap to say 0.5mm will this do any harm?

Thanks folks.

[domas]

The spark will be too small, and may not ignite the mixture. This will result in stumbling and misfiring.

[Richmore]

Thats the answer i was looking for, thank you.

Richmore

[scratch]

Ok, now I have a question - Will a smaller gap advance the timing of the spark?  Does it take less time for the spark to happen because of less of a distance for the spark to gap?  Or, will it be over too soon?

[RedShift]

Ok, now I have a question - Will a smaller gap advance the timing of the spark?  Does it take less time for the spark to happen because of less of a distance for the spark to gap?  Or, will it be over too soon?

I doubt there will be a significant-enough difference in the timing of the spark if the gap is a bit less.  I believe Domas is likely correct -- you'd fail to provide enough of an ignition source with a smaller gap well before appreciably advancing a spark. 

[Phaedrus]

This thread reminds me a little of the thread about the "Poor Man's Ignition Advancer: Deep Thoughts" thread:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=19849.0

Not exactly the same thing, but I am sure a similar theory applies.

[GeeP]

Spark plug gap has no bearing on ignition timing.  Regardless of the gap, the spark will originate at the same time.

In addition, electromagnetic energy propagates at 186,000 miles per second.  Therefore, negating capacitance, it will bridge the gap in .00000000007856 seconds.  During this time the crankshaft will have revolved.000000000000000233 degrees at 11,000 RPM.

[ashman]

Spark plug gap has no bearing on ignition timing.  Regardless of the gap, the spark will originate at the same time.

In addition, electromagnetic energy propagates at 186,000 miles per second.  Therefore, negating capacitance, it will bridge the gap in .00000000007856 seconds.  During this time the crankshaft will have revolved.000000000000000233 degrees at 11,000 RPM.

wow  that is an amazing repsonse. what is the meaning of life? 

-ash

[ukchickenlover]

Spark plug gap has no bearing on ignition timing.  Regardless of the gap, the spark will originate at the same time.

In addition, electromagnetic energy propagates at 186,000 miles per second.  Therefore, negating capacitance, it will bridge the gap in .00000000007856 seconds.  During this time the crankshaft will have revolved.000000000000000233 degrees at 11,000 RPM.

I believe you have quoted the speed of light. The spark that ignites the petrol air mixture is an electron beam not a pulse of light.

[makenzie71]

You're right, Chickenlover!  Electricity actually moves at 300,000km/sec.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

But will it do this?

[Richmore]

 

That Vid is quite honeslty the craziest thing i have ever seen.... i like it   

[Cal Amari]

Thanks for that link; if anyone wants to download the video to save it directly to their harddrive (400KB), the direct link is:

http://www.arcfault.org/LugoSWR-1.wmv

[GeeP]

I believe you have quoted the speed of light. The spark that ignites the petrol air mixture is an electron beam not a pulse of light.

Same thing!  Light is an electromagnetic wave. 

Nice vid! 

what is the meaning of life?

[spockvoice]  I do not understand the meaning of the question.  [/spockvoice]