5.0 L spark plug recommendations

[rizzjc]

I did some searching here, and didn't come up with much, so I'm wondering what recommendations people have for plugs for my '97 5.0L. Not wanting to worry about which plugs went where, I just went and got some Bosch Platinum +4 plugs. Had 120k on the truck; ran fine before, ran fine after. Also replaced the wires with .... I can't rember (Autocraft maybe).

Anyway, after service (rear main seal replacement) car hasn't been running great. Tried resetting the computer, and it helped some, but still not perfect. It's not really a big deal, but Ford service gave me a line about seeing a lot of problems with the Bosch P+4's in the explorer, saying they good for performance vehicles, but stick to Motorcraft for the explorer.

Anyone have a similar opinion, or whole heatedly disagree? I know there is the "don't waste the money on the P+4's" opinion, but given that I did, are they really "bad" for use in my truck?

Thanks,
-scubajoe

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I am running simple, cheap Copper Autolite 764 plugs. About $1.20/plug, and you can get them anywhere.

Sure they won't last as long as the others, but copper conducts electricty better, and I pull the plugs to check condition regularly anyway.

 

[rizzjc]

I didn't touch mine for 120k. I figured it ran the same, so I left it alone. For the $30k I spent on it 8 years ago, I was determined to get out of it everything that they gave me. Took me years to break down and replace the stock shocks with Bilsteins. 'Course, now that it's getting up there, and requires more attention, replacing plugs more often seems trivial. ;-) Then again, at $5 per plug, if I get another 100k out of the plugs, then that much more time I have for other things. ;-)

 

[TheJMan]

I used Autolite Double Platinum APP764 plugs for mine . I wasn't looking to get any extra performance or anything, and I had a $25 gift card for Checker that was burning a hole in my pocket. They were $2 per plug cheaper than the Bosch +4 plugs, and gave me peace of mind that I don't have to worry about one of the prongs falling off, increased pinging, misfiring, or engine damage that the +4 plugs have been famous for causing.

However, I used the Bosch +4 plugs in my old 1993 4.0 Explorer, and my brother drives it now, it still runs great after 15k miles with the Bosch plugs.

 

[rizzjc]

So, Bosch plugs are OK for some, not so much for others? That's reassuring. ;-) What's $2 less? I paid $5 for the Bosch. Yeah, I could get a $2 plug, but if I get 100k miles out of the second set of plugs, then $5 per plug works out to nothing. Now, if I am running a little rough BECAUSE of them, or they only last 20k, then $5 was definitely a waste. I just don't want to buy another set of plugs to find out of the Bosch are bad. Not to mention that replacing the plugs is somewhat of a PITA!

-scubajoe

 

[410Fortune]

Forget Bosch, this is odd for me to say since I love the +4's but I suggest
Motocraft plugs.

Autolite and motocraft are made by the same people, jsut some info I jsut found out.

I suggest you stick with simple OEM plugs, platinum if you wish, but if you are like me and will change the plugs every year or two anyways stick with regular old OEM plugs, Autolite copper or Motocraft platinum.

Bosch +4's I have had good luck with, NGK, and others are all good, but after all the toying around with "special" plugs etc for years I have gone back to my roots.
The gimmick plugs, like Irridium, +4's etc are mostly to "hot" of a flug for our stockish Ford engines, you will have better luck and regualr OEM plugs will last longer believe it or not.

 

[rizzjc]

Well, I might go test that theory with some cheap plugs. I really don't like having to get in there again so soon. It sucks replacing those plugs, but hopefully they come out easier, since they don't have 125k on them this time. ;-)

-joe

 

[410Fortune]

You are going through the fenderwells correct?

This job is actually not too hard if you just take the time to go through the fenders....if you really want to make it easy you can jack up the front end and remove the tires....

 

[rizzjc]

Yeah, I figured that out after about 30 seconds. But they were tight, and I needed leverage, and with all of the angles I had to get in at, some of them I had to sit on top of the engine to break. I'm little. ;-) Then I decided it would be quick, and didn't pull into the garage. Then it started raining. Then I slipped off the step stool and smacked the radiator with my elbow, and tried not to curse too much with the kids watching. But yes, I went through the fender well. ;-)

 

[410Fortune]

the right tools make all the difference in the world on these plugs.

A hand, T handle style, spark plug wrench is invaluable when working on these suckers.
If you dont have that extensions and wobbly's are your best friend

 

[rizzjc]

I'm picturing a T-handle, but not the exact tool you are referring to. Would I get enough leverage on that? In any case, maybe I'll look for something, now that they should be easier to get out. I'll do that when I tear apart the front end this week or next to look for my front end "clunk".

-Joe

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Make sure to put some anti-sieze on the plug threads. Makes getting them out a snap, and prevents any chance of damage to the heads.

 

[rizzjc]

Make sure to put some anti-sieze on the plug threads. Makes getting them out a snap, and prevents any chance of damage to the heads.

Will do, thanks. I'm a little worried, since I replaced them RIGHT before (like a few days) I sunk it, and haven't pulled them yet. Hopefully it dried out quick, and didn't tighten them up in there. The "clunk" is at the top of the list right now, so I'll have to wait untl I find that problem. Never ripped into the front end before. Hoping it's not the diff.

-joe