Hello all, I have two questions for you. The car is a '78 5.7L 350ci but not the one the car came with. Don't know if that matters.

First I just replaced my sparkplugs, thants to BasicConcepts for some help on the boot problem. My new problem is we looked online and asked at autozone and was told the sparkplug gap should be .035". However the info plate on my radiator says .045". I was hoping someone could tell me what the corect gap is?

Second, we need to get a fan shroud for the radiator and I was wondering how do you messure the radiator for the right fit, Horizontaly, Verticaly, or diagonally?

Thanks

-Mike and Amy

 

Should be any where between .030" and .040" so .035" is perfect. I'd run the engine for a few thousand miles, pull a few spark plugs and see how they look. Depending on how they are, you can increase or decrease the gap a little bit.

If I'm not mistaken, you measure diagonally. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Unless you have a weaker ignition system than what originally came with the car, set the plugs at the recommended .045.

 

I'm confused now. Did the car originally come with a 350 but now has a different 350? If that's the case than yeah, 69 is right, go with .045" since that's what the car calls for.

Now if it wasn't originally a 350, then I'd double check what the gap should be for the year 350 that's in it now.

 

Old points style distributors used .035", but the HEI uses the .045" gaps on plugs. Or if you convert to one of the later CDI systems like MSD or Mallory they will use .050"-.060" on most.