What size spark plug gap?

[1997gase]

I have a 1997 pontiac grand am SE 2.4

Today I was just doing routine maintenance and checking the spark plugs. I have been noticing lately the engine stumbles randomly like once a minute then stop for awhile then stumble again so that's what got me to pull the plugs.

I have AC Delco platinum plugs #41-942 The web says they should be gapped at .060 but when I pulled them they were at like .030 roughly nowhere near .060.

I put those plugs in like 2-3 years ago because I had bad bucking issues going uphill and when I put them in that problem went away.

So now today I regapped them to about .050 and test drove it and now I have that horrible bucking going uphill just like before and now the random stumbles are more frequent.

I have no idea what to gap these to and it has to be the problem incorrect gap. Should I put them back to .030 or try them at .060 and see what happens?

thanks

 

[jonthemechanic]

The info is usually on your emissions label on the underside of your hood or on the top of your radiator support. If not your owners manual sol hold have it, or a Haynes or Chilton manual. Autozone of the like should also be able to tell you as well. As best I recall, it wasn't recommended you regap platinum plugs, at least the Bosch plugs I was pushing in the mid to late 90's when I worked for Autozone. That may have changed.

 

[melsg5]

Per your owners manual the gap is .050. Do you have a check engine light on? You may have a weak coil or coils which cannt fire the plug at the required gap. Check the coil bracket for poor ground, rust etc.