The message below about removing spark plug tips perked my interest about this topic. I'd like some opinions...

Just tuned my 1990 244 and gapped my plugs to about .030 . I was talking to my mechanic recently and he said that gapping plugs was "old school thinking". He said that since I used Bosch plugs the gap was set at the factory and not to bother.

What does the board think?

TIA,
Jim

I got a few 5-plug sets of "official" Volvo plugs for the wife's 855 cheaply on e-Bay. Put in a set yesterday... noted that the package said (in 4 languages) that the plugs were "pre-set" for installation. Measured the gaps and found they ranged from 0.025 to 0.040 inches. Re-set to 0.028.

I think your mechanic has a lot of confidence in plug manufacturers. My last box of NGK plugs were all the same, and were all gapped to what they should have been, so maybe he's right. OTOH, I wouldn't have known they were correct unless I checked them myself.
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Volvo 240 Links | Parts For Sale | Volvo 240 Racing | July 14th DC Area Auto-X

My 1985 GLTi B21ft,,runs well (great) with Bosch or NGK gapped at .035..I would never install a spark plug without checking..I wouldn't return to that garage (mechanic) as well.
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john,,1985, 245:GLTi 235k mi..so.california

The last set of Bosch platinum plugs I got had all four gapped differently out of the box (.028 -.040). It certainly doesn't hurt anything to check. The instructions on the box even recommend doing so.

I agree with Simon. Manufacturing tolerences and transporation mishaps can change the plug gap, best to check with a gap gage to be sure, making sure all are the same. Also my suggestion is to attach the wires with the plug tips in place. If you look at the connector in the wire it is the same diameter as the plug tip, meant to slip over the tip with a light click.

Old school or not, it's best to check. I have never had a box yet of any brand where all the "factory" gaps were correct.

Hope this helps.

ALWAYS check the gap before installing any sparkplug in your car. There are more engines out there thart can use the same plug but will have different gap requirements. The manufacturers recommend checking the gap before installation, and since they know how widely one part # might be used, its good advice.
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There are no stupid questions only those that are not asked.