Gaps and caps

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "John Richardson by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jprich-at-up-dot-net>

Hi all,
Reading the latest concerning cap temps, and people checking them with their
hands and even their faces(!).  Why not purchase one of those neat temp guns,
the kind where you point at the object, pull the trigger, and the temp comes up
on an LCD screen?  They have really come down in price, and work extremely
well.  This way temps could be checked during operation safely.  Used to use
them to check exhaust manifold temps between cylinders on trucks to find out if
a cylinder wasn't firing properly.
Reading Gary Lau's response to Steve's sucker gap problems, and he mentioned to
keep electrode size as large as possible for heat dissipation.  The last E-6
Mack engine that I had to overhaul had valve lifters which were about 2.5
inches long, approx. .5" dia., with a large (maybe .75-1.00") flare on the
end.  The best part is that this flare is carbide faced, so should make a long
lasting electrode.  If anyone does look into this, check with a Mack dealer or
diesel rebuilder to see if they have any old ones for free, as new ones are
outrageously expensive.
 
John Richardson