Spark plugs

[parli22]

Just wanted to get a general idea what kind of spark plugsand what gapping do you set then at.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

I myself have started using NGK's not to long ago and haven't had any problems.

I set the gap to whatever the Specification is, its in my owner's manual or on a sticker under the hood.

 

[aldive]

I would stick to Motorcraft double platinum plugs.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Does everyone gap thier plugs or do you just put them in?

 

[rhyno]

I just put mine in, but I believe they are pre-gapped.

EDIT: I was wrong. Now that I think about it I did have to gap them when I put them in.

 

[HappyGilmore]

i gap mine, i just have the $2 apiece autolites i think. i have Motorcraft wires though. the autolite wires made my engine miss really bad. i replaced them twice but it still missed. Motorcraft wires did the trick.

 

[trucku]

Motorcraft Double Platinium. Gap was .054 for my 2002 V6. They came gapped already. I did verify the gaps with tool.

 

[j602]

I use Bosch single plats, gapped to .054. They were a good bit off out of the box.

 

[parli22]

Me I run autolites and depending on the time of year i either gap it at .30 or .50 for a little difference of power

 

[Bwana Bob]

Me I run autolites and depending on the time of year i either gap it at .30 or .50 for a little difference of power

I use Autolite and I do have to gap them. I found that they come too wide and it was causing pinging.

What gap do you use in summer?

I tried NGK but they don't last as long. The center electrode seems to be soft copper and it wears down.

I hear bad things about the Bosch multi-electrode plugs.


Bob

 

[parli22]

.50 gap for the summer and .30 for the winter

 

[TheFox88]

.50 gap for the summer and .30 for the winter

I don't really understand this. How would gapping your plugs differently affect the performance of your truck, other than making it run worse because the gap is not what the same as what it was stock?

 

[live2_4x4]

I use Bosch single plat. gapped to .050. Most were O.K. out of the box but not all so I always check.
Glen

 

[Positive Vibes]

How do you guys figure out how much to gap them??? I've never fully understood how people determine the proper gap?

 

[trucku]

The gapping information can be found on manual. I think some vehicles even have it listed under the hood on label alone with other underhood info. When I bought my plugs I also asked what gap they were set to and it showed in computer factory gap for that plug/vehicle. Use a feeler type gauge. It is more accurate than the wedge type. Always check the gap. I did because my the Motorcraft plugs did not come with the little electrode protector that Bosh has around plugs. They were all perfect though.

 

[davidmmm69]

Just bought motorcrfts from ford yesterday for my 2002 and they were $8.92 each.
along with a $102.99 set of wires...

 

[trucku]

What !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude i got mine at R&S Strauss..for 3.99 each. Ford wanted over $8 for the same damn plugs. I got wires from auto store too for $30. The brand was Carol plugs. Not a major name brand, but not a ripoff either. The Ford shop is killer in prices. I laughed at the guy when he said $8 dollars a plug. He also wanted $80 for each shock on the explorer. And was unable to tell me what quality they were or compare them to another shock. He just said they are Ford shock and they are good. Bull ****. I will spend $40 on monroe reflex shocks.

 

[parli22]

TheFox88 Quote:
Originally Posted by parli22
.50 gap for the summer and .30 for the winter


I don't really understand this. How would gapping your plugs differently affect the performance of your truck, other than making it run worse because the gap is not what the same as what it was stock?


I learned in the winter that the my truck likes to have the spark plug gap at .30 and run 89 octane. The reason for that is the temperature and air density. For the summer my truck likes to run a .50 gap and 92 octane. What I have notice is that some people just install the spark plugs and don't even know what the gap is. Whathappens if someone drop the box the gap off. I always gap my plugs. But that me personally..

 

[Djneff]

I have Bosch Platinum +4s on them, don't need to gap and they haven't caused me any problems at all.

 

[drx]

ok, i replaced a spark plug on cylinder 3, due to a misfire, the one i got replaced was the motorcraft platinum. haha, i got 185 k on it and still running on factory stock spark plugs, so now instead of paying 90/hr labour, i would like to replace them for myself.

About the gap, now i have some idea, however, can somebody please tell me on how to go about this, since this is the first time doing it, and dont wanna screw it up, if you guys can put up some pics that would be awsome.

thanx in advance