Everywhere I've looked, I've read that the SPG should be .032 for the 3.0. I've just bought NGK Platinums from Checker and, just to be sure, carefully measured the gap and they might be a tad larger than .035. They tell you on the box to NOT adjust them as you might break off the tip.

Will this gap make any difference or should I take them back? They are a PITA to change so I want to get it right.

Edit: I just checked on sparkplugs.com and even though they have .032 listed across the specs for this engine under the "OE" column, if you put the cursor over the name of the plug, it shows .040. Sort of misleading.

 

Personally, if I were you , I would check all of them, and if they are all the same, then follow the boxes instructions. If one or 2 are different I would return those ones. I hear you on the difficulty, first time I did a tune up I didn't change the 2 really hard ones at all. Some of the platinum plugs design actually require less spark voltage, plus they aren't going to erode as fast, so even if it is slightly bigger now, a traditional plug is going to erode to that size fairly quickly compared to the platinum plugs.

 

Platinum plugs require less voltage to arc. That doesn't mean the gap shouldn't be set as required though. Otherwise, you've got a plug that sparks just as well as the stock plug since the new one has a wider gap.
If you're careful closing the gap, (I find tapping the electrode on concrete works fairly well,) then spreading it to spec works fine.

 

I called NGK tech support and was told you can adjust them, but be very careful and don't force the adjustment. He also said the gap could up to .004 from the OE spec gap (ie: .036 instead of .032).

I just have to get a better plug gapper, now.

 

Figures, eh?

I'm available to gap plugs. I charge 4.00 an hour with a 2 hour minimum.
You pay shipping to and from here.

 

If you can find a Snap-on truck, pick up on of the wire type gappers. The round ones that have the continually increasing thickness around it (the 99 cent ones at most car parts places) aren't very accurate, because the surface is angled, and teh electrode is usually wide enough to rest across the angled part, so it's never exact, which is the whole point of you re-gapping them.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

 

I bought a gapper from Sears a couple years ago because it has the spec to gap the plugs on my Chevelle. I should have checked the Toyota's gap spec before buying it. Oh well...another tool!

Thanks for the help!

 

Get one of these: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=feeler+guage

I bought a similar one when I first got my 92 Truck, it has come in handy so many times throughout the years. I paid like $5 then, well worth it.