Can you gap your own Spark Plugs? 1998 v70 non turbo FWD

[scot850]

What do you do abscate when it is not sunny??

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

Measuring tools all have problems with accuracy to some level. I once checked a feeler gauge set with my dial calipers (that I thought I could trust). Some of the thin sheets where way off, but most were good.
When I worked for a manufacturing/machine shop, they had a good sized inspection department with calibration capability. The higher accuracy tools are just one drop away from out of calibration.
Another story: Toyota is said to have had inspection systems that drove higher and higher levels of measured quality of manufactured parts. Management was asked what to do when they could no longer measure improvement. The answer was to buy better measuring tools.
Practical advice: Have some quality measuring tools to check your lesser quality tools. Be very careful in use of your best measuring tools. Occasionally check one tool to another. I have some high quality gauge blocks that are manufactured to very high standards (maybe .000001 inches). I can check calipers and micrometers with the gauge blocks. Of course, I have a basic gap in my quality system in that all of my measurement tools are second hand purchases.
volvolugnut

[abscate]

What do you do abscate when it is not sunny??

Neil.

Fly above the clouds

[scot850]

[BlackBart]

I love that we are discussing measuring tools, a matchbook cover, and the rays of the sun! But they're all going to be pretty close. This is a short intense fire between two chunks of metal after all. It has to be accurate, but indeed it is not rocket science.

As others have mentioned, they don't come out of the box correct, I always gap them.

I'm fascinated by Lugnut's gauge blocks, I like to see that. I've always been interested in how the tools that measure other very accurate tools are measured..... At some point I assume you're using light and lasers. But the fabrication / machining tools need to be able to cut to that accuracy.

[BlackBart]

Another story: Toyota is said to have had inspection systems that drove higher and higher levels of measured quality of manufactured parts. Management was asked what to do when they could no longer measure improvement. The answer was to buy better measuring tools.
volvolugnut

Is this related perhaps to Toyota's reputation for long-lived engines? I've never heard that story.

Companies like Porsche have longstanding reputations for their very accurate machining, hence their reliability and impressive performance numbers out of smaller displacements. Also their outrageous engine parts costs and high machine shop bills.

[MrAl]

Oh i also assume that the cylinders are numbered 1,2,3,4,5 from left to right as you look into the engine compartment from the very front of the vehicle. I hope that is right maybe i can check #3 and see what's up.

You always reference from the driver position to avoid mistakes. Cylinders are 1-5 from the crank pulley side of the engine, or right side. Luckily, number 3 is the middle most cylinder either way.

Those little ramp type gappers are useless. I’ve never seen one give an accurate gap to its marks, and if I have to calibrate it I don’t want to use it

So which cylinder is on the drivers side, #1 or #5 ?
And this is a US car so steering wheel is on the right when looking through the windshield from the front of the car.

[abscate]

Number 5 is on the driver Left hand side of the car in all markets.

[MrAl]

Number 5 is on the driver Left hand side of the car in all markets.

So 5 is the one closest to the steering wheel and farthest from the timing belt?

Is there really any difference between a Bosch distributor cap and some other manufacture, and if so, it is a matter of milage difference for the life of the part or some other reason it's better?

[abscate]

So 5 is the one closest to the steering wheel and farthest from the timing belt?

The steering wheel proximity will depend on the market.

Number 5 will be farthest from the timing belt in all markets.