No, I think you're right and we're saying the same thing.  Now I'm really
reaching here back to high school physics, but if I recall correctly, it
takes about 20,000 volts to jump 1 centimeter.  Can someone confirm or
refute that?  In any case, if it takes more volts to jump a longer distance,
a larger gap would mean higher voltage before the spark would get across,
and a smaller gap would mean lower voltage to get across.  I think that
means smaller gap=quicker spark=lower voltage=cooler fire and larger
gap=slower spark=higher voltage=hotter fire.

Am I missing something here?
tx,
bmc  :)
Ben McCafferty
ben@volkscafe.com

Volks Cafe
1823 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA  95062
831-426-1244
http://volkscafe.com

> From: Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
> Reply-To: Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
> Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 23:07:21 -0800
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Gap of Sparks
>
> Really?
>
> Darn I misunderstood gap and timing then.  I thought too wide a gap and it
> was hard for the plug to fire and too narrow and the spark wasn't big enough
> to light the fire efficiently.
>
> Mike
>
> On 2/14/03 5:37 PM, "Ben McCafferty" <ben@VOLKSCAFE.COM> wrote:
>
>> If gap is too short, spark happens early; if too long, spark happens late.
>> In either case it will affect timing and combustion.  I believe it will also
>> tend to shorten the life of the electrode on the plug, but I'll let the EEs
>> chime in on that.
>> tx,
>> bmc  :)
>> Ben McCafferty
>> ben@volkscafe.com
>>
>> Volks Cafe
>> 1823 Soquel Avenue
>> Santa Cruz, CA  95062
>> 831-426-1244
>> http://volkscafe.com
>>
>>
>>> From: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>> Reply-To: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>> Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 12:16:49 -0800
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Re: Gap of Sparks
>>>
>>> So what happens when the sparks you've got installed are not of the correct
>>> gap? I use only W7CCO by Bosch
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> From: Mike Miller <mwmiller@cwnet.com>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> I only use Bosch and they're rarely the correct gap right out of the box.
>>>>
>>>> Mike
>>>>
>>>> On 2/14/03 9:24 AM, "Mark Dorm" <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I thought Bosch plugs were preset to gap no problem...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As to the slow starting, there's lots of things, but have you checked
>>>> your
>>>>>> timing?  Also, with your new plugs, did you check the gap?  Lots of
>>>> times
>>>>>> people think they come preset to the correct gap, and they usually
>>>> don't.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> tx,
>>>>>> bmc  :)
>>>>>> Ben McCafferty
>>>>>> ben@volkscafe.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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