Wasted Spark

[Mad_Trbo]

Ok I feel like a dunce for asking this, but I've been trying to figure it out.

Wasted spark is simply one coil that fires two cylinders at once. Now my thoughts were, one coil sends a spark to opposing cylinders. As an example if #1 fires then the path of spark continues on over to #2 to ground. First question is this the right way to think of it?

http://www.installationinstructions..../ccci-info.pdf


When looking at the coil pack it looks like cylinder #1 and #4 oppose one another. That doesnt agree with my above logic.

I know you guys have seen this a million times and I have gone through numerous threads, but I need someone to talk to me like I am a 4 year old.

What am I missing.

 

[SouthernCal GN]

#1 fires at TDC center electrode to ground
#4 (opposing) fires at the same time in reverse- ground to center.
Hence- waste spark, and the 3 "windows" on the crank pulley.

I think that's right....

 

[Mad_Trbo]

I think I see now. I was confused, I thought the waste spark had to fire the opposing cylinder. #1 center electrode to ground and #2 ground to center. But logically it has to be a cylinder on the exhaust stroke.

165432 hmm based on the firing order you would think 2 is on the exhaust stroke.

Now what's interesting is I think my coil is set up opposite to the one in the posted direction link above. In other words #1 is hooked to #4. I wonder if the ground to electrode is automatically of lesser voltage and therefore finding it difficult to light #1? Or does the system adjust the spark line based on the contents of the cylinder and resistance of compression etc and mixture etc.....

 

[jpratt]

The engine will run if you have the matched plug wires switched, might not run as good but it will run.

 

[my1stgn]

I think I see now. I was confused, I thought the waste spark had to fire the opposing cylinder. #1 center electrode to ground and #2 ground to center. But logically it has to be a cylinder on the exhaust stroke.

165432 hmm based on the firing order you would think 2 is on the exhaust stroke.

Now what's interesting is I think my coil is set up opposite to the one in the posted direction link above. In other words #1 is hooked to #4. I wonder if the ground to electrode is automatically of lesser voltage and therefore finding it difficult to light #1? Or does the system adjust the spark line based on the contents of the cylinder and resistance of compression etc and mixture etc.....

The more resistance you have opposing electricity/current flow (ie spark) the stronger the spark would have to be to jump across the electrode. So which every cylinder has compression, causing increased resistance to the flow of current, that cylinder will have the greatest spark. So it doenst matter if the wires are on different posts on the coil as long as the correct cylinders are on that coil. Also the spark on the opposing cylinder which is on exhuast stroke helps burn off some of the excess fuel not burned off during combustion. IE its a little better for emisions.