motorcraft spark plugs

[thor1701]

is there a safe way to move them? cant do it by hand it seems

 

[swshawaii]

Tap directly on the snout VERY lightly on a solid surface. Avoid closing the gap more than .054, finesse is the key.

 

[thor1701]

ok gaped them to .054, will try to put them in this weekend, not looking forward to trying to do them on the passenger side as there's so much damn stuff there now, it was a real pain doing it with my 91, i think this is gonna be a nightmare

 

[Dono]

You might find its a bit easier to pull the passenger wheel and rain guard (If that's what that flap is called) to get at the plugs thru the wheel well. On my 4.0 ohv it really saved on the blood letting experience. My knuckles don't heal as fast as they used to.

 

[delexploder]

Wow is right. Meaningless reply to an otherwise informative thread. Didn't you have a TB spacer on the 4.0 SOHC?
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2924802&postcount=1

Yes I did, and it was on there to actually space the TB out some because my intake tube was making contact with almost everything around it, I have worked in shops and my family owned a parts store when I was growing up, we tried and still try all the gimmick plugs and always end up going back to an oe type plug

 

[swshawaii]

I have worked in shops and my family owned a parts store when I was growing up, we tried and still try all the gimmick plugs and always end up going back to an oe type plug

Page ONE, post #2

You can't find them because Motorcraft or Autolite don't offer gimmick plugs.
As you have read in countless posts, stick with the time proven OEM product.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1119653,parttype,7212 (4.0 V6)
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1119664,parttype,7212 (5.0 V8)

 

[delexploder]

Yea I use autolights , double platinum ,my sohc didn't seem to run quite as well on motorcraft, my ohv 4.0 seems to run fine on either , and both my v8s seem to run better with autolights,

 

[masospaghetti]

Wrong. As a minimum you need double platinum's, I already explained why (like 100 times). Ford OE are doubles for a reason...

Ford (and all other OEMs) uses double platinum plugs for service life, not performance. A double platinum plug is not going to perform better than a copper plug. They just last a heck of lot longer. There's no reason you cannot use copper plugs, or single platinum, but don't expect a 100k service life.

I didn't see your explanation of why double platinums are required scrolling back through the thread. I apologize if I missed it.

 

[SoNic67]

I didn't say 'performance' either. Didn't explained on THIS thread, I did on others (wasted spark system).
See what NGK has to say about it:

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/docs/tech/New Ign Systems-Long Life Plugs.pdf

For 'performance' is fine tip. Now that every mfg wants fuel economy, they all switched to fine tips (platinum, iridium), including Ford.

 

[Peck]

i have E3 dimond fire in mine a 98 sohc

 

[masospaghetti]

I didn't say 'performance' either. Didn't explained on THIS thread, I did on others (wasted spark system).
See what NGK has to say about it:

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/docs/tech/New Ign Systems-Long Life Plugs.pdf

For 'performance' is fine tip. Now that every mfg wants fuel economy, they all switched to fine tips (platinum, iridium), including Ford.

That's a really good read, but that reinforces what I said. Copper or single platinum will work just fine but will have a short service life.

 

[koda2000]

That's a really good read, but that reinforces what I said. Copper or single platinum will work just fine but will have a short service life.

and since changing spark plugs on these engines can be such a joy, i want to do it as often as possible...

 

[SoNic67]

Exactly my point. And manufacturer's too...
Accelerated wear means running with increased gap (and lower gas mileage), stressing the coils with higher voltages... What for? To save $8 upfront? Adding the costs of multiple copper plugs over 100k miles you end up paying more.

 

[masospaghetti]

and since changing spark plugs on these engines can be such a joy, i want to do it as often as possible...

Exactly my point. And manufacturer's too...
Accelerated wear means running with increased gap (and lower gas mileage), stressing the coils with higher voltages... What for? To save $8 upfront? Adding the costs of multiple copper plugs over 100k miles you end up paying more.

ALL IM SAYING is that a copper or single platinum plug will WORK FINE, it just won't last as long.

 

[thor1701]

well i finally got around to doing the spark plugs on the truck, man why do they make it so hard for normal people to change them? so much stuff in the way and very hard to get to, all i got was a scraped knuckle, but at least it got done, i do notice a little improvement in response time, the platinum 4's i pulled out of her looked a little worn but nothing serious
now i just have to do an air filter and a fuel filter, i will change the wires at a later date when i can afford it

 

[shucker1]

I'll never use Fine Wire plugs again!.
Tried a set. Final outcome was a spun Rod bearing!

My son was using my truck for college. Of course a 20yr old in a 5.0 did not help.
He hammered on it kind of hard and since the Air Temp Sensor was sending bad info it did not retard timing an detonated on the #1 cylinder and grounded the plug. He kept driving on 7 cylinders for about a week till he said anything.

At least I get a 331 out of the deal!