Here's some more engine theory for you. There's a couple of reasons opening the gap may not work. 1. If you have a problem with a cylinder, once a plug becomes fouled because of gas or oil or deposits, the electrons flowing from the coil don't build up voltage to jump the spark gap but bleed away to the ground. That's why an external method of increasing the voltage, like holding the plug wire off the spark plug, is required to get the spark plug to fire. It allows the voltage to build up and not bleed away. 2. The coil is designed to push only a certain number of electrons through the spark plug wire when the magnetic field collapes. And these limited electrons must be balanced between two different spark patterns making up the ignition of the fuel/air mixture, the initial spark and the continuous spark. The initial spark occurs when the points open and the field collapes. The voltage spike produced will overcome the spark gap and compression in the cylinder, around 5000 volts. Then once the initial spark has occurred and the field continues to collape, a continuous spark occurs requiring a voltage around 2000 volts for 1-2 milliseconds. Less voltage is required on the continuous spark because the initial spark creates an ionization path for the electrons, making it easier for the electrons to jump the gap. The continuous spark is required for a more complete combustion and more engine efficiency. There's not just one big spark from the coil. That wouldn't allow for complete combustion, robbing the engine of power. Have fun.
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