Spark Plug Gap On Built Dauntless

A little background, I found an ad probably eight years ago for a dauntless enginge pulled out of a mud racing cj5. It was for sale at a junkyard. The junkyard owners new the guy and pulled the engine out because it was rebuilt and the rest of the carcass was out back. I took their word on it and bought it and left it on my floor for several years until I put it in and tried it. It’s a runner. Runs pretty good. I’m happy with the purchase. I put my electronic ignition in it. Also I put an adapter to go from the four barrel carb back down to a stock Rochester two barrel. The guys at the junkyard didnt know much but claimed It was rebuilt, ported and polished had higher compression and had a four barrel carb. I’ve been dealing with timing as the stock timing doesn’t work well for it i found out. but everything’s going well. Then it hit me. Should I be running other than stock spark plugs? Something with the larger gap? Or at least try it? Thank you in advance.

 

The timing will be a little different but I would compare the plugs that came with the motor to a stock plug.

I'ld expect the plugs to be a little cooler and a 40-60 gap would be my guess but that gap should be on your electric ignition or coil instructions.

Typically on performance motors the distributor vacuum advance pot, internal weights and springs get swapped to adjust the timing curve then the carburetor gets it's own mods. Everything has to happen faster and with a weaker vacuum signal. Any vacuum leak would cause issues.

Was the engine stored outside? What condition are the gaskets and hoses?

 

Typically, gap with points is 35 and electronic ignition is 45.

 

Sounds good thanks guys. The motor seems to be in great shape. I was nervous about that. I bought it without knowing if jt would run. When i put it in, it always ran weird but i had it at stock 5 degrees before top dead center. Put it at 10 degrees and it runs like a raped ape and pulling increadluble and no detonation. Idles better starts better and sounds better. I dont remember what plugs came out (would have been smart to pay attention) but im sure i put new stock ones in when i swapped em years ago. Ive enjoyed this jeep for prob ten years but its been parked for the last two. Time to get her out and start enjoying it again. Im gonna throw some new plugs in gapped at .45 and see if she has even more life in there. Definitely been a huge success so far today

 

I'd recommend .045! I'd add a smiley emoji here if I knew how.