p0301 - My New Ex

[CDW6212R]

I'd like either of those Autolite plugs. Motorcraft is a great standard, I check on those as a base first, and then see what others might be similar(brands that I like or am used to).

 

[Scheuvront1993]

I've seen the porcelain break free from the plug before like as in you can rotate it around the plug, but not broken or cracked! Not sure if you have anything like that going on maybe?

 

[koda2000]

If any of my local auto parts stores where I live stocked Motorcraft plugs I'd buy them, but as none do I have no problem with the Autolite's (same thing really). I'd recommend a minimum of the double platinum's, or upgrade to the iridium's. As I said earlier, I just replaced the plugs (and wires) in my daughter's 2000 5.0L and we went with the Autolite double platinum's. I got them from RockAuto for $1.26 per plug after a $2 per plug rebate (which runs thru the end of 2018). You can also get 5% off your order using a coupon code (current code = 7521223462525665) entered in the "where did you hear about us" box at checkout.

BTW - When did the Autolite plugs start coming nickle plated? Maybe it's just done on their higher-end plugs... ? That's a big plus in the rust belt, when you're not changing plugs very often.

I found all my new plugs were gaped too wide (.060 maybe). Be sure to check gaps and set to .054 using a ramp-style gauge to avoid scraping off the coating on the electrodes. I also always put a dab of anti-seize on the threads (which maybe isn't a big deal on iron heads, but it's a must on aluminum heads).

 

[CDW6212R]

Cool, nickle plated is helpful. Changing plugs so rarely(100k) is inviting trouble with seizing plugs. I liked it better when it was a few years or 30k mile deal.

 

[koda2000]

Cool, nickle plated is helpful. Changing plugs so rarely(100k) is inviting trouble with seizing plugs. I liked it better when it was a few years or 30k mile deal.

My bank 2 plugs would never have made 100K. They were Autolite double platinum's. Maybe the previous owner gaped them in such a way as to scrape the platinum coating off... ? IDK.

Here's an example (from a 6 cyl) of how my plugs looked (bank 1 on top, bank 2 on bottom):

 

[CDW6212R]

Wow, toasted those left three were. I've seen some almost that bad, but it was my Mercury in 2004, with 98k on it, original plugs most likely. I wish the old fancy plugs that were in J.C. Whitney had been accepted. Those cost too much in the 1980 range, about $6-8 each then. But they had the four side electrodes with the tall center post. I think they just didn't sell, and the gap was not really adjustable. That was a great idea, but never caught on, until the Split-Fire contraptions come out. You can't find those now.

 

[koda2000]

Wow, toasted those left three were. I've seen some almost that bad, but it was my Mercury in 2004, with 98k on it, original plugs most likely. I wish the old fancy plugs that were in J.C. Whitney had been accepted. Those cost too much in the 1980 range, about $6-8 each then. But they had the four side electrodes with the tall center post. I think they just didn't sell, and the gap was not really adjustable. That was a great idea, but never caught on, until the Split-Fire contraptions come out. You can't find those now.

The Bosch with the 4 prongs seem to cause nothing but problems in the Explorers. I wonder if anyone has tried the E-3's with success.

 

[Kidd7]

Forgot about split fires.
From WIKIPedia:
In 2002, it was still considered a leading sparkplug manufacturer,[3] but by 2015, the company's products were not broadly distributed, and its official website had been removed.

 

[CDW6212R]

I wonder if extra firing paths did little but end with one firing and the others not doing much. I liked the idea, I just never felt like spending so much on plugs that I wasn't sure would help at all.

After a lot of years, you become desensitized to the gimmick advertisements.

 

[koda2000]

I wonder if extra firing paths did little but end with one firing and the others not doing much. I liked the idea, I just never felt like spending so much on plugs that I wasn't sure would help at all.

After a lot of years, you become desensitized to the gimmick advertisements.

IMO the spark will always jump to/from the nearest electrode until it wears down a bit, then it will move to the next closest electrode. Electricity is like water, it's lazy and will always take the easiest path. That's why Faraday cages work. The gimmick with the E-3 plug is supposed to be the sharp edges. IDK.

 

[Kidd7]

Heres a good read:
Do split tip sparkplugs really work?

 

[koda2000]

I think I've told this story before, but back in the mid-2000's there was a device that was supposed to increase your fuel economy. It was called The Tornado. The auto parts store I was working in sold this thing. All if was was a small stainless steel pinwheel that you installed in your intake tube. The incoming air was supposed to make it spin. Its inventor claimed a 2-3 MPG increase in fuel economy. When people came in and asked me if the device really worked I told them NO and I always advised them to not waste their money. The inventor was even interviewed on the local News and the interviewer asked how this was possible. His response was that he didn't know, but that it just worked.

Oh day a guy came into the store wanting the device and I could not talk him out of it. He claimed his friend had installed one in his 5.0L Crown Vic and was now getting 29 MPG. I told him that there was no way this was possible, but he wanted the device so I sold it to him. IIRC it was around $30. There's one born every minute.

You can still buy one if you want:

Here's the "proof" that it works... NOT.

 

[CDW6212R]

I recall that thing, just dumb, but the video there is followed by another weird idea. It shows the magnet kits that were being sold to go along the fuel line of a car, again, to save gas.

 

[Kidd7]

Yup I saw that too, I remember those magnets.

 

[koda2000]

IDK why, but I recall at one point our armed forces supposedly used those magnet things on all their vehicles. I have no idea who's bright idea that was, but I can't believe it improved fuel economy any. Sounds more like another government waste of money, like the $600 toilet seats.

 

[CDW6212R]

I was tempted on those too, read or watched more than I'd like to admit, but I didn't ever buy one.