Spark plug change

[wallygetsit]

I decided to check my spark plugs out today. I have just over 70,000 on my 97 SOHC with the Motorcraft platinums. I am glad I checked. The gap of the plug I pulled was .072. Wow. The plug itself looked good. No carbon build up and the platinum still looked good.

Anyways, I am buying some good plugs and wires tonight. I will change them out tomorrow. The truck actually runs well right now. I am going to go to the stock gap at .054 unless I buy the Bosch +4's.

My concern is that right now I average 20-22mpg and I hope that the correct gap does not lessen this good mileage. I'll let you know.

By the way, the ignition system is stock.

 

[leenjen]

.072, i hope it didnt do any damage internallly.

what do you mean by using the stock .054 unless you get Bosch +4? what gap do +4 need?
i have splitfire and they have the recommended gap setting.

 

[4U2NV]

The Bosch +4 come pre gapped from the factory...

 

[leenjen]

most plugs say they are pre gapped, but you should always check. sometimes they are off.

 

[4U2NV]

I agree with you... but i just installed the Bosch +4 on my other ride (97 Neon Euro style) These plugs have 4 tips where the spark fires even if you tried to gap them you really couldnt get the gapping tool in there

 

[Heath]

Does anyone know what the gapping should be on the 96 V8??? I have new wires and should probably put those and some new plugs in... What do you guys reccomend for plugs???

 

[4Wheelin]

I would reccomend the Bosch P4's. I just put them in my truck and the plugs haven't been changed since I bought the truck (2 years ago) and I noticed a huge difference in performance and fuel economy. They are also guaranteed for 100,000 which sold me on them as well.

 

[Heath]

Don't fall for that 100K crap... I'd still change em out about every 30 or so...

 

[wallygetsit]

Well, I replaced the stock plugs with the Bosch +4's. However the truck seems to ping more now that before. I had the battery disconnected during the work. Changing those plugs is an experience. Took me a few hours. I've never had that hard of a time on a vehicle before.

Will the computer adjust for the pinging. The idle is now lower to. It was at 700 now it is just over 500. Smoother idle just more pinging.

 

[leenjen]

my explorer never pings... even when i changed the plugs.

maybe it's something else?

 

[wallygetsit]

Evidently it was just the computer readjusting to the new plugs. I had only drove it for a couple of miles at that post. Now it is running great. Though the power is not there as before since my plugs are not nearly as widely gapped. However the truck itself seems to idle much better.

 

[leenjen]

thats good. at least it wasnt an engine problem.
but mine didnt ping when the computer was reset. maybe you just got some bad gas.

 

[wallygetsit]

I had some bad gas today at work. It stunk. I have a loaner 2000 Limited tonight while my Sport is in the shop for a cosmetic fix. Anyways I feel like I am going to fall out of the leather seats. My old EB had leather bucket style seats. They kept you in.