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'96 Explorer spark plug recommendations

V

Vikane

Well-Known Member
Joined
February 4, 2009
Messages
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City, State
Norway
Year, Model & Trim Level
'96 XLT
Need recommendations for spark plugs for my '96 4.0 OHV engine, which spark plugs is the better choice ?
 



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Stick with Motorcraft, or if you on a budget, go with Autolite. Other plugs just don't seem to last as long in Ford Engines. one of mt dads old engine builders told me what he does.

ford, Motorcraft, or Autolite
chevy, AC Delco
mopar, Champion.
 






When replacing them, passenger side is easier thru the wheel well.
 






1996BLKBauer said:
Stick with Motorcraft, or if you on a budget, go with Autolite. Other plugs just don't seem to last as long in Ford Engines. one of mt dads old engine builders told me what he does.

ford, Motorcraft, or Autolite
chevy, AC Delco
mopar, Champion.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, exactly which Motorcraft plugs do you recommend ?
 












I use Autolite #605 platinum. $3.00 each from AutoZone here.
 












Your ignition system NEEDS as a minimum DUAL platinums (waste spark).

Why not spend a little more and go with Autolite Iridium? Or NGK Laser Iridium? They perform better than dual patinums, they put less electrical strain on the coils and wires, burn more efficiently the fuel in high-load moments, last longer...
Both companies have on-line selectors that can help you choose the right spark plug.
 






SoNic67 said:
Your ignition system NEEDS as a minimum DUAL platinums (waste spark).

Why not spend a little more and go with Autolite Iridium? Or NGK Laser Iridium? They perform better than dual patinums, they put less electrical strain on the coils and wires, burn more efficiently the fuel in high-load moments, last longer...
Both companies have on-line selectors that can help you choose the right spark plug.
Click to expand...
Ford didn't use dual platinums off the assembly line, and still recommends a 100K change interval.
Please provide a link from Ford, Motorcraft, or Autolite showing this ignition "NEEDS" them. Thanks.
 






Ford used initially singles on the positive polarity spark/bank and dual platinums on the other bank/polarity. A label was warning not to intermix the spark plugs.
Then they switched to dual platinums on both sides (probably to eliminate confusion).
Now, on newer cars, because of stricter rules for mileage, the finally got into fine tip plugs (platinum, not iridiums, still trying to save a buck).

If you want to study about waste spark ignition systems:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/dyk_waste_spark_ignitions.pdf
http://rockledge.home.comcast.net/~rockledge/RangerPictureGallery/DIS_EDIS.htm

...in a waste spark ignition, both the center firing electrode and ground
electrode will see gap erosion. In plugs with a positive polarity, most wear will occur at the center-firing
electrode. Plugs with negative polarity will experience more wear at the ground electrode. As a result of
this, vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions often use double precious metal spark plugs, such as
the Laser Iridium or Laser Platinum. These dual precious metal plugs feature either iridium or platinum
on the center firing electrode and platinum at the ground electrode. Because these electrode materials
are denser, gap erosion is reduced, allowing a longer service interval Being that these materials are
denser, this will reduce gap erosion, thus leading to a much longer service interval. The use of nickelalloy or single precious metal spark plugs in vehicles equipped with waste spark ignitions will result in
more aggressive gap erosion and shorter spark plug life.
Click to expand...
 






I finally decided to go for the Motorcraft SP486, but they didn't do my engine any good, it actually run worse than ever, what could cause this ?
Could it be a problem with the new plugs, or is it the cold climate here in Norway that is no good with these spark plugs ?
 






If you're sure that they are gapped correctly, didn't get bumped when installing and are torques right, double check your plug wires are in the correct order- they are not as they would seem on the coil...

92722991.gif
 






Did you install them straight out of the box? DON'T trust "pre gapped" plugs.
All it takes is a drop on the counter or floor. Be careful though, the Platinum
FineWire tip is very delicate. Gap @ .054, check your manual or hood decal.

EDIT- Ditto Joe Dirt! :thumbsup: LOL
 






The gap was checked, and carefully installed. The wires are in correct order, lost count of have many times I did check that :(
Don't know what to do now.
 






Check for vacuum leaks, hoses, connectors, anything that could
have come loose or wasn't reconnected when you changed plugs.
 






Double check all of the connectors and vac lines that you may have pulled or moved when installing- even bumping a 16 year old rubber hose can make it leak, and create a vacuum problem, or an electrical issue with a connector. Are the plug wires new?


EDIT- Ditto swshawaii! :thumbsup: LOL
 






Plug wires are new, also tested another used coil, same result.
My old NGK TR55 is installed now, the engine misfires under load, I was hoping new sp486 would solve that, but they did the opposite.
I will check vacum lines tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure I know the result....
 






Joe Dirt, YOU must be telepathic, because I'm definitely not! :scratch: LOL

If it's a miss, could be a cracked porcelain or bad wire. Trouble codes?
 






No DTC present, drove home yesterday with OBD diagnostic to check out live data from MAF, seems ok.
 



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Vikane said:
My old NGK TR55 is installed now, the engine misfires under load, I was hoping new sp486 would solve that, but they did the opposite.
Click to expand...
I told you that Motorcraft are not wonder-plug. They resell plugs made by others (Autolite).
The NGK TR55 (V-Power) that you put back in - are they worn out? They are not the best plugs for your engine (cheapest in NGK line), as I said you need something like NGK ITR5F13 (6044).
Don't need any gaping, that exact 0.54" is important for copper flat tips, not so much a concern for fine tip plugs.
Don't use any antiseize, that was needed for black-iron plugs, not the case with the new plated plugs. Read here.

Anyway, probably you might have some other issues anyway...
 






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