Stock Spark Plugs!

[509Explorer]

I recently got another 5.0 explorer and when I went to change spark plugs. I swear they were stock motorcraft, or close! Gap was about 3x to big from wear, all ceramics were cracked, and it ran fine. Is there anything I should be worried about or anything to check? I obviously replaced them. But is there anything specific that old spark plugs could affect? Thanks in advance, I'm just trying to keep this thing running until a rebuild

 

[C420sailor]

Wouldn’t worry about it as long as the truck runs well now.

I had the same thing. Plugs had 2-3x the gap. They came out okay, though. No issues since.

 

[Mbrooks420]

It can be hard on the coils, since it’s gotta jump a larger gap, but there’s really nothing to be done about it.

 

[1998Exp]

I recently got another 5.0 explorer and when I went to change spark plugs. I swear they were stock motorcraft, or close! Gap was about 3x to big from wear, all ceramics were cracked, and it ran fine. Is there anything I should be worried about or anything to check? I obviously replaced them. But is there anything specific that old spark plugs could affect? Thanks in advance, I'm just trying to keep this thing running until a rebuild

How many miles on this engine? 3x the specified gap and all cracked ceramics sounds like 300,000. Anyway, from my humble experience with this engine, the wires fail a lot sooner than the plugs. If they are also original, it's high time to replace, especially since they have been bombarded with three times the normal voltage because of that huge gap - silicone insulation type recommended.

 

[509Explorer]

How many miles on this engine? 3x the specified gap and all cracked ceramics sounds like 300,000. Anyway, from my humble experience with this engine, the wires fail a lot sooner than the plugs. If they are also original, it's high time to replace, especially since they have been bombarded with three times the normal voltage because of that huge gap - silicone insulation type recommended.

Engine has about 200k and yeah got plugs swapped, wires are ordered. Thanks for the info guys! I didn't really every think about the extra power going through

 

[1998Exp]

Engine has about 200k and yeah got plugs swapped, wires are ordered. Thanks for the info guys! I didn't really every think about the extra power going through

Strictly speaking, the spark delivers the the same energy as with the normal gap, just in a shorter duration, higher voltage burst (which is harder on the coils and on the wires). You'd need larger coils to get more power. But I am splitting hairs here... Definitely time for new wires.