Platinum or not?

[mikehawk]

Heat range of a plug has nothing to do with the kernal size of the spark. All the heat range means is the plugs ability to pull heat out of the combustion chamber. I don't know where you heard that platinum was a better conductor, but you're wrong. If that was true, why would the core of the plug be copper, and only have platinum on the tip of the plugs? It's because platinum is a MUCH harder metal, so it can hold up to the abuse of the combustion chamber much better, and therefore last longer. Copper is a better consuctor, but it's also a lot softer (same as silver and gold), so it doesn't last as long. And I don't know how you can measure the gap of the plugs in that pic. The quality of the pics isn't that great to begin with, and the spark kernal floods out the exact outline of the electrode and ground, so there's no way you can just eye it up and dismiss it because you think one gap is larger than the other.

 

[stang99x]

Uh, JTS you're wrong. Check this chart out

Properties of Materials

Material First number is Thermal conductivity, second is Electrical

Silver 407 66

Copper 384 57

Gold 310 45

Iridium 147 18

Platinum 70 10

Nickel 59 10

Silver is best, and there are silver electrode plugs, made by Nology. Then copper, then gold, etc..

 

[Turdle]

Heat range of a plug has nothing to do with the kernal size of the spark. All the heat range means is the plugs ability to pull heat out of the combustion chamber. I don't know where you heard that platinum was a better conductor, but you're wrong. If that was true, why would the core of the plug be copper, and only have platinum on the tip of the plugs? It's because platinum is a MUCH harder metal, so it can hold up to the abuse of the combustion chamber much better, and therefore last longer. Copper is a better consuctor, but it's also a lot softer (same as silver and gold), so it doesn't last as long. And I don't know how you can measure the gap of the plugs in that pic. The quality of the pics isn't that great to begin with, and the spark kernal floods out the exact outline of the electrode and ground, so there's no way you can just eye it up and dismiss it because you think one gap is larger than the other.

Well then you certainly can't eye it up and say it's true either. I could also claim the plug on right has a hotter coil.

 

[PTBishop]

how about we all just chill out and say...if it comes with platinum, OE, leave it as platinum, there is a reason the engineers made it that way...

 

[Turdle]

Yeah I'm chillin. If I said I've never been wrong I'd be wrong again.
But I have a question that a straight answer has yet to be given me
For my edelbrock performer EFI heads, with 9.75 compression, which size, assuming autolite, should I use? The heads use a ringed plug, not angled
I was told by edelbrock 3726?
However that isn't a good number, and I am using 3724 ( might be transposed) and I think it's a bit hot.
Since there are opinions more educated than mine ( no sarcasm intended), I'd appreciate the input.Thanks

The champion recommendation is rj12yc if I'm not mistaken

 

[stang99x]

You got a 347 in a mountaineer? Man, you're almost my hero

 

[triplexplorer]

i put the bosch plat 4's in my 4.0 94 ranger a year ago and i gained 40 miles per tank of gas and haven't had any probs

 

[stang99x]

Assuming that you have the 19 gallon tank, that'd be about 2mpg. It sounds more like you were severely overdue for a plug change and that helped you out. DId you change anything else? Cuase, quite simply, you're not going to get another 2mpg with a simple plug change. If you could, it'd be stock equipment since Ford wants the Highest MPG possible for EPA sheets

 

[PTBishop]

The champion recommendation is rj12yc if I'm not mistaken

champion plugs = for chrysler, dodge, jeep...
ngk = honda, toyota, subaru, and other such imports
bosche = bmw, mercedes, yadda yadda, other german cars.
AC Delco = chevrolet, cadilac, saturn and all other GM Vehicles,
autolite and motorcraft = ford, lincoln, mercury.

all parts stores can tell you this, and if they tell you different they're morons. if it calls for platinum, put platinum in it, certain plugs are put in certain engines and the comapnys who put them in those engines, put them in there for a reason, don't mess with it, this is not an opinion. go to a shop around town, not a cheap run down shop, but one that has a good reputation for the work they do, the people who actually have degrees in automotive, much like those of the shop i work for. and you know what you'll find, the people you talk to will tell you the same thing i did, if it comes with platinum, put platinum in it and tell the guy at the parts store he is an idiot...

haha sorry had to get it out

 

[Turdle]

champion plugs = for chrysler, dodge, jeep...
ngk = honda, toyota, subaru, and other such imports
bosche = bmw, mercedes, yadda yadda, other german cars.
AC Delco = chevrolet, cadilac, saturn and all other GM Vehicles,
autolite and motorcraft = ford, lincoln, mercury.

all parts stores can tell you this, and if they tell you different they're morons. if it calls for platinum, put platinum in it, certain plugs are put in certain engines and the comapnys who put them in those engines, put them in there for a reason, don't mess with it, this is not an opinion. go to a shop around town, not a cheap run down shop, but one that has a good reputation for the work they do, the people who actually have degrees in automotive, much like those of the shop i work for. and you know what you'll find, the people you talk to will tell you the same thing i did, if it comes with platinum, put platinum in it and tell the guy at the parts store he is an idiot...

haha sorry had to get it out

Exactly
However, as i stated, I can't get a straight answer
I have Edelbrock performer EFI heads. Guess what, Edelbrock owns Champion, so they recommend them. I want nothing to do with champion spark plugs, this is my dilemma

 

[triplexplorer]

i did plugs and filter.

 

[PTBishop]

just put the autolite platinums and it will be just fine.

 

[STXOffRoad]

the only Ford/Mazda engines i know for a fact the platinum dont work on is the early 90s 2.2 found in the probes, i found that out the hard way

 

[OminousRacing]

Well its time that my my mom's ex needs new plugs and wires. 165,000 miles on wires and around 70,000 on the plugs. I went to get platinum plugs for it at the parts store and the guy said that platinum plugs were bad in Fords. Should I listen to this guy or just ignore it and get the platinums anyway.

alright guys check this out...the explorers (91-94 at least) use a distributor-less coil so you have to run platinums or ull f*ck up your coil pack...double platinums have dual electrodes so the spark runs through the quickest electrode...so its up to you if u wanna run regular plat's or double, simple as that...that should clear up any confusion on the topic....

-Ominous Racing Team<-----------------------

 

[exgmman]

Copper core plugs will NOT damage your coil packs. I used the champion truck plugs (copper core) on our '93, and they worked really well. BTW, the heads on a '92 explorer are CAST IRON, so the plugs can safely be left in for 5 yrs, if you decide to go with plats.

 

[aldive]

alright guys check this out...the explorers (91-94 at least) use a distributor-less coil so you have to run platinums or ull f*ck up your coil pack.

This is not true, sorry.

..double platinums have dual electrodes so the spark runs through the quickest electrode...so its up to you if u wanna run regular plat's or double, simple as that.

Once again, this is not true.

 

[Rhett]

the heads on a '92 explorer are CAST IRON,

huh??

 

[OminousRacing]

This is not true, sorry.



Once again, this is not true.

if you run a copper plug in you coil pack it will carbon track your coil...you figure it out. run your copper's and ill run my plat's and we'll see whos coil lasts longer....the OEM ford plug calls for a platinum plug for a reason...

 

[Spdrcer34]

....okay this thread is getting funny.....

........Pass the popcorn.........

btw...speaking of all these issues.....Was there EVER an Aluminum Head offered as OE in an Explorer? Or were they all Cast iron?

Ryan

 

[aldive]

if you run a copper plug in you coil pack ..

I didn't know that sparkplugs went in the coil pack. I guess you learn something new on here every day