Ignition coil gap?

[Brewz]

Howdy folks.

Recent research into setup of my 066 Red light led me to information saying the gap on the old electronic coil needed to be set at between .006 and .008

My business card I use measured .013

This has got me thinking about coil gap

Is there a optimal distance?
Is gap distance variable depending on saw/coil?
Does gap distance effect performance/spark intensity?

Open discussion, all saws and brands, any info welcome!

 

[angelo c]

there is a specific "tool" for gap made by Stihl....
lemme go see if I can dig up a PN#.

Edit: 1111 890 6400

 

[Brewz]

It will be $1,000,000 in Australia.

I am more interested in gap distance.
I can use a piece of paper to set the gap

 

[angelo c]

It will be $1,000,000 in Australia.

I'll mail you 10 of them then.... Deeply discounted of course.

 

[Landmark]

You must be using a card from a larger business. Try using a 'small' business card.

 

[Gunn]

I buy a set of feeler gauges. You can dissasemble the set and have a multitude of choices. Then just slip the desired gauge between the flywheel and coil, tighten, win.

 

[Definitive Dave]

The official gap gauges are different thicknesses for different ope from Stihl, toss the business card and spend $10 on the right tool (which I am probably out of) and your stuff will run better.
For proper setting you turn the magnet side of the flywheel away from the coil. loosen the coil, insert the proper gauge.
Next turn the magnet towards the coil and press the coil against the curved gauge while tightening the coil screws (carefully so as to not twist off the spade lug that I always forget to remove first).
The gauge should be snug to pull out.
Dave

 

[jmssaws]

I have a card from a saw parts distributer that says on the back,010 for gapping coils.

I've always set them at 010.

Setting them closer actually advances the ignition slightly,setting it wider retards it slightly.

 

[Brewz]

there is a specific "tool" for gap made by Stihl....
lemme go see if I can dig up a PN#.

Edit: 1111 890 6400

I just rang my local Stihl dealer and they are $30 here.
I told him to forget it.

The official gap gauges are different thicknesses for different ope from Stihl, toss the business card and spend $10 on the right tool (which I am probably out of) and your stuff will run better.
For proper setting you turn the magnet side of the flywheel away from the coil. loosen the coil, insert the proper gauge.
Next turn the magnet towards the coil and press the coil against the curved gauge while tightening the coil screws (carefully so as to not twist off the spade lug that I always forget to remove first).
The gauge should be snug to pull out.
Dave

This is exactly how I set mine up, only using a measured thickness piece of paper.

I have a card from a saw parts distributer that says on the back,010 for gapping coils.

I've always set them at 010.

Setting them closer actually advances the ignition slightly,setting it wider retards it slightly.

Great info, I will set them to .010 with some paper and see how they go.

I have not had any problems setting them to random business card gap, I just figured there must be a correct spec similar to spark plug gap for optimal performance.

@angelo c and @Definitive Dave , what is the thickness of the official Stihl guage?

 

[Gunn]

That's was Dave was trying to tell you, there's several gauges. Standard chainsaw is .010"

 

[Definitive Dave]

7.8 thousandths or .2mm is the common larger pro stihls according to the manuals

 

[angelo c]

I just rang my local Stihl dealer and they are $30 here.
I told him to forget it.



This is exactly how I set mine up, only using a measured thickness piece of paper.



Great info, I will set them to .010 with some paper and see how they go.

I have not had any problems setting them to random business card gap, I just figured there must be a correct spec similar to spark plug gap for optimal performance.

@angelo c and @Definitive Dave , what is the thickness of the official Stihl guage?

I ordered one from my dealer too. I'll measure mine when it gets here. And tell ya how much it was too.

 

[Brewz]

I just went through a pile of old business cards and they ranged from .012 to .018

I am currently walking around with digital vernier calipers looking for something that measures .008 to .010

My wife tells me it only takes 2 signatures to have me sent to the mental institution when I do things like this

 

[Magic_Man]

I just went through a pile of old business cards and they ranged from .012 to .018

I am currently walking around with digital vernier calipers looking for something that measures .008 to .010

My wife tells me it only takes 2 signatures to have me sent to the mental institution when I do things like this

Two layers of a pop/beer can ?

 

[jmssaws]

Most business cards I check are 010 to 012.

 

[Brewz]

I found some nice shiny paper that when doubled gives me exactly .009

I will cut a can and check it soon

 

[Gunn]

Don't over think this. That .013 business card works just fine.

 

[Brewz]

Gunn, no one is overthinking anything!

I don't gap my spark plugs to "around about what I can find on the work bench that looks close enough"
I use my feeler gauges to set them to 0.5mm
As I said before, I know the business card works, I was interested in knowing the correct specification after reading some conflicting information stating vastly differing coil gaps on other internet sites.

I am not one to read something and just believe it.

@jmssaws do you know how much advance you get by setting the gap smaller? I assume it wouldn't be much.
I had the gap set at .008 on my brothers 044 and it was showing slight signs of too much advance (I took .020 off the key) with it being a bit of a pig to start and kicking back jarring the handle from your fingers now and then.
I took the gap out to .012 and it seems better.
I am going to leave it there cause its happy

 

[Adirondackstihl]

0.2mm

 

[TJ the Chainsaw Mechanic]

.010 gap