Inexpensive Spark Plug Wire Gauge
A good spark plug gauge is a must-have for anyone servicing spark plugs, and a backup gauge can be handy as well. Whether it's the spark plug for your chainsaw or the multuple spark plugs for your car or truck, a good spark plug gauge can help you keep the plug (or plugs) running at their best. There are many different gauges on the market; one decent one is the Performance Tools W127C spark plug gauge.The W127C is a wire gauge, so on older spark plugs with worn electrodes it may be able to give you a better reading than flat gauges or ramp gauges could. The wires pivot out and fold back in in the same manner as blades on a Swiss Army Knife. This gauge comes with six different size wires, marked in both millimeters and inches: 0.40mm (.015"), 0.45mm (.018"), 0.50mm (.020"), 0.64mm (.025"), 0.70mm (.028"), 0.75mm (.030"), 0.90mm (.035"), and 1.00mm (.040"). The inch sizes are only marked with a two-digit number, so the 0.35" wire is only marked as 35.The millimeter measurements marked on the tool itself vary from the millimeter measurements marked on the product's packaging, which appears to be a common problem with Wilmar/Performance Tool gauges. For example, the 0.70mm mark on the gauge is listed as 0.762mm on the packaging, which can be a significant difference for a spark plug gap.In addition to the feeler wires, the gauge also comes with a double-ended gapper tool. This gapper is constructed of fairly sturdy metal, and is probably adequate for many uses. It is not as good as the flanged-hole gap adjuster that comes with many round spark plug gappers, but it can do the job.One nice feature about this tool is that the tightness with which the wires and gappers pivot out or in can be adjusted. There is a small bolt and nut on each end that can be tightened or loosened to each user's comfort level. However, the frame of the tool itself is very flimsy, and it can easily become bent in, causing the wires not to be able to pivot into the closed position.For a wire spark plug gauge, this one will be adequate for many people. A wire gauge is often more accurate than a flat gauge, but there are other wire gauges on the market that you may like more. The Performance Tool W127C gauge can be purchased onAmazonfor $5.22 plus $4.15 for shipping, which is comparable to other gauges (without the shipping charge).
