spark plug gap closed on two plugs, what causes this? Options

[siverson]

hi - quick question from the garage. cdi box died on my six. got replacement and car starts right up (good). but runs like crapola right away. pulled the plugs and on two the electrode (term?) is no touching the plug.

is this why my cdi boxed died?

or is this a result of it dying?

or?

plugs were 1k miles old. cdi box was 46 years old.

[stugray]

Engine parts DO flex.
The greatest stress in an engine is the near instantaneous reversal of direction of the piston at TDC.
That is why over-revs can take out wrist pins in addition to valvetrain components.

So it IS conceivable that an over-rev could flex the crank such that the piston is allowed to travel in the cyl a little further than normal.

Excess heat can also cause the piston and the rod to expand more than normal and protrude further into the comb chamber.
And yes you can buy plug washers (shims) that are specifically for setting the plugs "clocking".
They would pull the plug out a little.