Spark Plug gap

I have a 1975 CJ5 w/ 6cyl. 232c.i. 40,000 original miles. I aim to make this this run a little smoother and was wonderin' about spark plug gap settings. I have found that at some point the engine had an electric ignition installed which, I was told, should up the gap requirement to .045-.050, but I wanted some more sage advice from you all.
-joshuatrout

 

be a little more specific.

the original setup for the '75 six used the bid distributor. no points. gap on those plugs was .030 to .032

for my upgrade to an hei dizzy, the gap on the plugs is now .050.

 

The '75 came equipped from the factory with the Prestolite electronic ignition. It uses a conventional oil can coil, which makes no more voltage in this application than when used with a points distributor. If you have an aftermarket setup with a hotter coil, use the larger gap, but for a stock setup use the factory setting, which I'd guess is 30-35 thou.

 

yes. the original setup gap is .030 to .032 for the bid, or prestolite, dizzy

 

Thanks for the fast response again. The distributor on my 232 looks like a white plastic covered jobby.. may be the stock electronic ignition system. I am interested in learning as much as I can, doing it myself and keeping it original but is there a clear advantage to an upgrade? And if so, what's the best way to go.

 

hei distributor came out of gm motors. the donor for mine was in a 1980 gm 250c.i. motor. i bought the cap/rotor on e-bay, for a buick/pontiac/olds six.

i re-used my distributor drive gear by grinding off the "collar" on the bottom of it. in all, the conversion took about 20 minutes. i also used plug wires for a 1984 drof "300" motor, which are 8mm.

i consider this a better option than spending any money on the prestolite system.

 

The Prestolite distributor has a white plastic vacuum advance can - very distinctive. White plastic indicates factory Prestolite to me.