pickup to reluctor gap?

[345Dart]

Mopar says .008" vs others go as high as .018? What would be considered ideal?

[Mopar_Maniac]

345Dart...

I always set mine at .008"...just like the Mopar Performance book says. If something better works...I haven't heard about it.

Later,
Mopar_Maniac

[Buddy Branon]

I always go with .008 and have had good luck. My feeler pack has a brass .008 gauge for this purpose.




BB

[rustycowl]

My '87 Dodge truck manual says .006"- .008" .

[mr_340]

Somewhere in the MP Performance Book, I found a reference to running a wider air gap being worth some HP. Anyone tried this? Anyone have a theory on why it would make a difference? My thoughts are that it might reduce timing variation, but it doesn't seem like it would make a big difference in HP.

[345Dart]

We must have read the same article along with way.
In others I have read to go with .018, which I have and everything seems to work okay, but I like you am wondering if anyone out there had some info as to why it would make a difference.

[71SATELITE]

I ran mine at .006 and it ran good, real reliable good starts. Anything around .01 and it was hard starts, breakup when throttled hard to and would die when idled to long. This was a stock ignition though.

[b-1ken]

I try to get the pickup as close as possible to the reluctor. The Chrysler pick-up does not send a real strong signal, so tightening up the air gap helps. Of course, you don't want to get it too close for fear of the reluctor hitting the pick-up. When I first started running the Chrysler electronic ignition, the engine (11:1 CR 440) would misfire slightly at high RPM. I removed the distributor and connected a miliammeter to the pick-up output. I spun the shaft with my fingers and watched the meter. When I closed up the gap, the output doubled. The air gap at this point was probably about .004" - .005". I put the distributor back on the engine and the high speed misfire was gone. Again, you have to make sure that the shaft is straight and the bearings are good before you try to run this tight. I can't imagine any reason why you would pick up power by opening up the gap.

[340duster1]

Anyone out there know why you are supposed to use a brass feeler gauge? I have used a steel one in the past with no ill effects.

[b-1ken]

A steel feeler gauge will stick to the magnetic pick-up somewhat, perhaps giving you a false "feel". I usually just "eye ball" the gap as close as possible without it hitting the reluctor. I suppose you could also use a thin piece of plasic or even paper.

[djswwg]

B-1 Ken is right. The closer the better; but here's the catch-due to production tolerances, wear, and centrifugal force, there has to be some clearance or the reluctor will smack the pickup, especially at higher rpm's. That's why you should set the gap with the dist. in your hand rather than in the motor, so you can check the gap at each tooth. In theory they should all be the same, but I've never seen one that is. Get as close as you can to generate a stronger signal. As for widening the gap for more power, are you sure you don't mean spark plug gaps? If you don't believe me, set your reluctor gap at .020" and see if it even starts, let alone run well. Cheers........djs

[djswwg]

One more thing while we're talking distributors. Be sure the brass bushing that the oil pump drive rides in is not worn out. If it gets too bad, the reluctor wii take out the pickup at higher rpm's. Been there, got the T-shirt. They are available new from the Chrysler dealers............djs

[345Dart]

Ive run it with a gap as wide as .020 and the ignition is fine. I reset clearance to .008 on the weekend as there doesn't seem to be a good reason to go wider.
Now if I could just get the intake manifold to seal on the heads I would be a camper.
thanks

[345Dart]

no gripe intended for you. I best be more carefull with icons. the gripe is for my manifold leak!!

[djswwg]

No problem 345 Dart, this is how we learn. I'll bet that some pickups are weaker than others, and that could be why they like a tighter gap. I've also seen pickups that would triggera stock ignition OK but not fire an MSD real well without going to a .006 gap or so. Cheers...djs