I bought a set of the NGK LFR7AIX (one step colder). I plan on installing them tomorrow. But before I do, I want to make sure that I have the correct gapping. If anyone knows what it is, I would appreciate your input.

TIA,
Tim

0.7mm - 0.8mm or .028" - .031"

Which is what they should be out of the box.

It is **EXTREMELY** easy to break the center electrode on that type(iridium) of plug EVEN IF YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO HANDLE THEM....

If you don't know what you are doing with an iridium plug, I can guarantee that just checking the gap the wrong way and/or with the wrong tool, you will end up with expensive---useless---paperweights.

There is no way to 'tell' someone what to do, here.....but the NGK iridium plugs that I am familiar with :rolleyes: have very tiny iridium 'pads' on the very tip of the center electrode....and they WILL break off in a quick blink JUST by trying to slide a 'feeler gauge' into the gap...the edge of the gauge can catch on the tiny little 'pad' and if that comes off....the plug is toast...and they come off VERY easily.... :rolleyes:
Use a 'wire' style gauge,no sharp 'edge' to catch the 'pad' and be VERY gentle with the center electrode.

BEWARE.....

0.7mm - 0.8mm or .028" - .031"

Which is what they should be out of the box.

It is **EXTREMELY** easy to break the center electrode on that type(iridium) of plug EVEN IF YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO HANDLE THEM....

If you don't know what you are doing with an iridium plug, I can guarantee that just checking the gap the wrong way and/or with the wrong tool, you will end up with expensive---useless---paperweights.

There is no way to 'tell' someone what to do, here.....but the NGK iridium plugs that I am familiar with :rolleyes: have very tiny iridium 'pads' on the very tip of the center electrode....and they WILL break off in a quick blink JUST by trying to slide a 'feeler gauge' into the gap...the edge of the gauge can catch on the tiny little 'pad' and if that comes off....the plug is toast...and they come off VERY easily.... :rolleyes:
Use a 'wire' style gauge,no sharp 'edge' to catch the 'pad' and be VERY gentle with the center electrode.

BEWARE.....

so are you saying it's not worth the risk of checking the gap and just trust what it says on the box? I dont want expensive paperweights....already have a cracked vf39 that looks great on display in my living room





EDIT: damn i just realized this is an old thread

The care in handling of these things is a bit overrated. Yes, you should be careful, but it's not like you're performing brain surgery. I got my NGKs and checked/regapped two of them before I read the box and saw "DO NOT regap" (or whatever similar message it shows.) I didn't break anything, and they work just fine.

whew... its nice to hear that you can regap these without having a master's degree. I'm not "dertdaderr" when it comes to care and maintenance but I checked my gaps and adjusted anyway. I dont see how you will destroy these if you are gentle and dont put a gapper between the ground and center.

I've seen pages and posts that say use this type or that type of gapper, a rounded wire gauge will destroy the plug and I've seen one say that the flat feeler gauge will break the end off. If you're forcing a gapper into the space, you're probably putting too much stress on the tip then you're gapping it wrong. I guess i'll find out later today.

j

The best way to re-gap the plugs are just check it and the tap the top or bottom of it on a table which will increase or decrease the gap... it takes about 30 min. to do it becasue it's a pain in the but. either way... it's not that hard... just takes patience.

I gap my plugs to .025 with 22psi on my car. So unless you're running more boost than stock in your car than there's no reason for colder plugs.