I use the wire plug gapping tool, a small circular tool with wires you pull between the electrodes to check the gap. I just go for a smooth fit that is not forced and just touches both electrodes. The tool has places on it to put over the electrode and pry it closer or further apart. You can visually check for the electrode being parallel and some time you may need pliers to angle it a little, this is a pretty rare occurance. I just use the silver Permatex anti seize for aluminum. All this attention is probably not really necessary, but it is easy and doesn't cost anything. You can probably eyeball the gap and never notice the difference. However, I think the anti seize is very much a good idea. I use it on many places, lug bolts, brake bleeder screws, anywhere aluminum is involved, anywhere near a battery, and on most places you bolt together. Just little dab while do ya. Up here in our Salt state of NY, I coat all the brake line fittings on my daily driver and spray muscle grease on the rest of the brake and exposed metal fuel lines under my cars. It really works to stop the corrosion.
