Buck Performance Spark Plug Gap Tool Review

matreyia

Major
Apr 19, 2017
1,780
711
0
Ride
335i e93
Here is the fancy pants spark plug gapping tool. Pretty expensive and also pretty useless in my opinion. You can get one if you want, but I would just save my money and get the normal version.

I just finished this video review while I was doing some minor adjustments to the BL coils and replacing the stock bmw plugs with NGK at .026 gap.


Cheers.
 

Jeffman

Major
Jan 7, 2017
1,618
1
628
0
Looking forward to hearing how your 0.026” gapped NGKs work out for you. I’m planning to do the same after I finally install my PR coils.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: matreyia

N54gasm

Sergeant
Feb 6, 2017
315
195
0
New Freedom
www.spoolnmotorsports.com
Ride
2008 BMW 135i
I made my own. Way better than the manual method, more precise and of course free cuz i had everything lol.
 

Attachments

  • 20170328_142518.jpg
    20170328_142518.jpg
    205.1 KB · Views: 250

matreyia

Major
Apr 19, 2017
1,780
711
0
Ride
335i e93
Okay, I could get behind this for that price. More accurate than tapping with a hammer and going over.

Nope. It won't be. The metal prong will still need to be hand bent after you press it to the chosen feeler gauge. The metal prong will always spring back beyond the feeler gauge measurements...it's the nature of the metal. So you still have to hand press with another gap tool..unless you press the prong much further than the feeler gauge.

For example, if you want gap .026, then use feeler gauge .018, and MAYBE the prong will snap back into place at .026 after you release the pressure.

I tried to get .026 using .022 and it snapped back to .030, so take that for what it's worth.

The cheaper tool uses the same exact technique so it will also be inaccurate. You just have to press the prong manually beyond the gap you want and keep testing it with the feelers until you get your gap.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Jeffman

matreyia

Major
Apr 19, 2017
1,780
711
0
Ride
335i e93
Looking forward to hearing how your 0.026” gapped NGKs work out for you. I’m planning to do the same after I finally install my PR coils.

.026 seems to be working just as smooth as .025. No problems so far. Will report update after new BL updated harness is installed.
 

NoQuarter

Major
Nov 24, 2017
1,662
1,066
0
Indiana, USA
Ride
Z4 35is, 535xi, X5 35i
So... the largest gap that works perfectly is the ideal scenario?

If it works perfectly at .022 (mine now), but I try .024 and it stills work perfectly, I should stay at .024 and/or try the next size up?
 

matreyia

Major
Apr 19, 2017
1,780
711
0
Ride
335i e93
So... the largest gap that works perfectly is the ideal scenario?

If it works perfectly at .022 (mine now), but I try .024 and it stills work perfectly, I should stay at .024 and/or try the next size up?

That is the universal consensus. I gapped at .030 and it was fine until after a few days. So gapped down to .026 and seems fine now. Was at .025 previously NGK plugs.
 

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
I use an 11 oz Glen-Drake brass chisel hammer. It's not cheap and don't advise purchasing it for adjusting plugs. But @matreyia is right ... basically tap and friction fit a feeler gauge is about the only way to get there. An inexpensive 8 to 12 oz brass hammer is nice - short handle, a gentle tap, works reasonably well.

Filippo
 
  • Informative
Reactions: boostE92d