Ford Truck Enthusiasts, The Internet's Leading Ford Trucks Resource, F150
 

Go Back   Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums > Performance, Engines and Troubleshooting > Ford V6 > 3.0L V6
New! Use your Facebook, Google, AIM & Yahoo accounts to securely log into this site, click logo to login  






Is F-150 Still King?
 
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 05-05-2003, 10:24 PM
saintthomas saintthomas is offline
Senior User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: on the creekbank in NC
Posts: 228
saintthomas is starting off with a positive reputation.
Thumbs up New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Hey all, I just wanted to share a great $$$$$ saver for you. I changed to Autolite Doulbe Platinum plugs and Autolite Professional wires. Guys, these things are hot! I won't be putting anything else on my Ranger. And for $4 a plug and about $30 for wires you can't beat it. And just a tip, if you have the EDIS system and use single platinums, you are wasting your money. With the unique firing of an EDIS single platinum causes EXCESSIVE wear on the plug. Do it right, do it once.
__________________
98 Ranger 3.0L
Spray in liner
UWS Bed Protectors
Dee Zee tailgate cap
Curt class III hitch
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 05-05-2003, 11:14 PM
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge Rockledge is offline
Post Fiend
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 8,775
Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all
Thumbs up New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

I put the Autolite DPs in my 3.0L as well.

I can also tell you that they work good in the 4.0L OHV.
__________________
'98 Ranger XLT 4x4 (4.0L)
'97 Taurus GL (3.0L Vulcan)
'94 Taurus SHO (MTX)
Ford Pics
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 05-06-2003, 02:10 PM
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge Rockledge is offline
Post Fiend
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 8,775
Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all
Thumbs up New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Just a quick FYI: AutoZone carries Motorcraft spark plugs at about half the dealer's cost.
__________________
'98 Ranger XLT 4x4 (4.0L)
'97 Taurus GL (3.0L Vulcan)
'94 Taurus SHO (MTX)
Ford Pics
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 05-07-2003, 12:53 PM
greenpus greenpus is offline
Elder User
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 774
greenpus is starting off with a positive reputation.
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

From what I have been told Autolite makes the plugs for Motorcraft. So buy which ever is cheaper. And yes Double Platinum is the only way to go with the EDIS systems.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 05-07-2003, 01:20 PM
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge Rockledge is offline
Post Fiend
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 8,775
Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Quote:
Autolite makes the plugs for Motorcraft
Interesting. I just heard the same thing, myself. That's probably why so many people have had good luck putting Autolites in their Ford motors. I've been hanging around the the Ranger Forum for a while and like I said a lot of guys have installed the Autolite DP's in their 4.0Ls and have reported very good results.
__________________
'98 Ranger XLT 4x4 (4.0L)
'97 Taurus GL (3.0L Vulcan)
'94 Taurus SHO (MTX)
Ford Pics
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 05-07-2003, 01:26 PM
Bob Ayers Bob Ayers is offline
Postmaster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 4,417
Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE.
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Honeywell actually makes Autolite, and Motorcraft plugs!!!

If anybody is interested, e-mail me at:
and I'll send you the coilpack schematic I made up. You can
see how a plug in each bank gets the opposite polarity spark.

That's why it is important to run double platinums, because the
outer electrode will erode in one bank, while the center electrode
wil erode in the other bank.....They also fire on every rev. of the crank,
twice as often as will a conventional ignition....
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 05-08-2003, 09:20 AM
John with beastly 302 John with beastly 302 is offline
Senior User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Central Coast, California
Posts: 283
John with beastly 302 is starting off with a positive reputation.
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

I'm not sure if i have the edis system. All that i have is a distrubtor and no idividual coils. So would it be just as good for the disributor system to use a platinum plug or go the extra yard for some of tose Double Plaitnums
__________________
2005 F-350 XLT 4X4 Dually 6.0 Auto (Parents)

1991 HD F-250 XLT Lariat
Fire Breathing 460 V-8 E-4OD

RIP 94' F-150 4X2 5.0 MAF 4R70W Super Cab Shorty Green W/ tan accent 2" front lift Flowmaster 40 3-20-94 to 6-8-05 First truck and I hit a bridge reaching for the cellular
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 05-08-2003, 09:32 AM
Bob Ayers Bob Ayers is offline
Postmaster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 4,417
Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE.
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

John,

No, with a distributor, you don't have EDIS, and you don't need
double platinums....
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 05-08-2003, 10:14 AM
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge Rockledge is offline
Post Fiend
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 8,775
Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all
Question New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

As I understand it (with the help of you guys), the DP's are built to handle the extra stress that an EDIS system puts on the plugs. I notice you can see the difference in the electrodes b/t the double platinum and single platinum.

So heres my question: do the different plugs make different sparks which would matter performance-wise?

Or is the issue only about how much longer the DP's will last verses the SPs?
__________________
'98 Ranger XLT 4x4 (4.0L)
'97 Taurus GL (3.0L Vulcan)
'94 Taurus SHO (MTX)
Ford Pics
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 05-08-2003, 10:19 AM
Bob Ayers Bob Ayers is offline
Postmaster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 4,417
Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE.
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Rock,

Good question!!

One thing to keep in mind, it isn't a "stress" thing with the EDIS,
it is a spark polarity thing with EDIS that requires both spark
plug electrodes to have platinum. In the case of a conventional
ignition (distributor), ALL the plugs get the same polarity spark
which will erode only the center electrode.

I hope this answers your question!!!
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 05-08-2003, 02:30 PM
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge Rockledge is offline
Post Fiend
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 8,775
Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all
Thumbs up New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Thanks for the reply Bob. Things are getting clearer.

I saw this opinion on the exact same subject posted at another Ford site, and I think it's worth positng here:

"My 2cents worth:

The platinum is in there for LONGEVITY, not to make any difference whatsoever in spark quality.
Barring base engine concerns or fuel mixture concerns, dual platinum plugs WILL last 100,000 miles.
99.9% of the platinum plugs that I've replaced at 60K services showed no wear and no excessive gap between the electrodes.
If you take the name brand off, Autolites and Motorcraft are the EXACT same plugs.
Bosch, NGK, Splitfire, Quadfire and Champion plugs cause misfires, rough and lopey idles, and poor fuel mileage - And it really bugs me that I can't explain why that is - it just is.

--------------------
Former Cal Worthington Ford, Korum Ford, Harnish LM, Renton LM, Evergreen Ford, Fugate Ford, Prestige Ford, Pearson Ford employee."
__________________
'98 Ranger XLT 4x4 (4.0L)
'97 Taurus GL (3.0L Vulcan)
'94 Taurus SHO (MTX)
Ford Pics
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 05-09-2003, 11:51 AM
PSKSAM2's Avatar
PSKSAM2 PSKSAM2 is offline
Elder User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Morris Plains, NJ
Posts: 937
PSKSAM2 is gaining momentum as a positive member of FTE. PSKSAM2 is gaining momentum as a positive member of FTE.
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob Ayers
Honeywell actually makes Autolite, and Motorcraft plugs!!!

If anybody is interested, e-mail me at:
and I'll send you the coilpack schematic I made up. You can
see how a plug in each bank gets the opposite polarity spark.

That's why it is important to run double platinums, because the
outer electrode will erode in one bank, while the center electrode
wil erode in the other bank.....They also fire on every rev. of the crank,
twice as often as will a conventional ignition....
Bob,
I took a look at your schematic, nice job, btw. I was wondering, if this is the scheme that is used, would it be beneficial for plug wear to take the plugs out and swap them to the other side at half the plug life to promote even wear on both banks?
Thanks again,
Jim
__________________

02 Mustang GT
98 B4000 SE 4 4x4 Auto

No single raindrop feels that it is responsible for the flood.
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 05-09-2003, 12:01 PM
Bob Ayers Bob Ayers is offline
Postmaster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 4,417
Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE. Bob Ayers has a good reputation on FTE.
New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Quote:
Originally posted by PSKSAM2
Bob,
I took a look at your schematic, nice job, btw. I was wondering, if this is the scheme that is used, would it be beneficial for plug wear to take the plugs out and swap them to the other side at half the plug life to promote even wear on both banks?
Thanks again,
Jim
Hi Jim,

What you are suggesting would extend the life on single platinum
plugs. One thing to notice, however. If you pay close attention to
the OEM Motorcraft plugs, they are single platinum!! But, the plugs in one bank have a different letter suffix in the P/N than the
plugs in the other bank. This is because the outer electrode is
platinum on one plug P/N, while the center electrode is platinum
in the other plug P/N.....So, if the plugs are pulled, and
re-installed, it's important to put the plugs back into the same
bank that they came out of.....
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 05-09-2003, 12:51 PM
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge Rockledge is offline
Post Fiend
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 8,775
Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all Rockledge is a name known to all
Cool New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob Ayers
........What you are suggesting would extend the life on single platinumplugs. One thing to notice, however. If you pay close attention to the OEM Motorcraft plugs, they are single platinum!! But, the plugs in one bank have a different letter suffix in the P/N than theplugs in the other bank. This is because the outer electrode is platinum on one plug P/N, while the center electrode is platinum in the other plug P/N.....So, if the plugs are pulled, and re-installed, it's important to put the plugs back into the same
bank that they came out of.....
Bob, thank you for solving a riddle for me. I had always heard about the factory plugs with the different #s and how it important it is to put the OEM plugs back in the same banks after checking, etc. And I had always wondered why that was.

And Jim, good question about the mid-life plug swap scenario
__________________
'98 Ranger XLT 4x4 (4.0L)
'97 Taurus GL (3.0L Vulcan)
'94 Taurus SHO (MTX)
Ford Pics
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 05-09-2003, 07:28 PM
saintthomas saintthomas is offline
Senior User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: on the creekbank in NC
Posts: 228
saintthomas is starting off with a positive reputation.
Lightbulb New Double Platinum Plugs and Wires

Rock, you had a post about NKG, Splitfire, Bosch, etc...... causing misfire. There is a very simply answer. All the plugs you named, have one thing in common, V center electrodes. Just as a DP plug is excellent in EDIS, the V plugs are just as bad. I am not sure as to the cause of this phenom. As a marine electrician, I have a theory that the V under extreme heat, wear, and compression may actually create a slight voltage drop across it. I have no way to prove this. But it makes perfect sense according to electrical theory. Anybody want to second this idea?
__________________
98 Ranger 3.0L
Spray in liner
UWS Bed Protectors
Dee Zee tailgate cap
Curt class III hitch
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
agsf22p , agsf22pg , autolite , awsf32p , awsf32pg , bosch , double , dual , flex , motorcraft , ngk , platinum , plug , plugwaste , reviews , spark , verses

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:02 PM.

Guidelines - Contact Us - Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Archive - Top

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC7 ©2008, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright © 1997-2008 Internet Brands, Inc.
Advertising - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Jobs
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company.