So I found my original 1985 Owner's Manual and sat down to read it. On page 154, there is a section titled "Specifications and Capacities." There is a "Motorcraft Service Parts" chart that lists the part numbers for batteries, filters, spark plugs, etc. The interesting part is the footnote (7) referenced for the 5.0L engine for the spark plug part numbers:

5.0L (7) - ASF-32C

5.0L EFI - ASF-32C

5.8L (5) - ASF-42
______________________________
(5) 5.8L 4V use ASF-32C.
(7) 5.0L High Output use ASF-42.


According to the manual, there was supposed to be a "High Output" carbureted 5.0L that would use a hotter plug than the standard 5.0L 2V or 5.0L EFI engine. But the "High Output" carbureted 5.8L 4V used a colder plug than the standard 5.8L 2V engine.

While the 5.8L 4V H.O. was introduced in 1985 and is an improvement over the 5.8L 2V with a better cam, exhaust, and a 4V carburetor, I have never heard of the "5.0L High Output," except in the Ford Mustangs. I don't see this engine listed in the 1985 F-Series sales brochure, either. I wonder if this was a planned special performance engine for 1985 (like the 5.8L 4V H.O.) that never made production?

 

You know, I thought this was some pretty cool information.

Why does no one else find this interesting?

 

Never heard of a H O 302 engine only the 5.8 I worked at a Ford Dealership from 1977 t0 1996. On those 302 EFI and fuel Injected engines Ford was running too cold of plug ASF 32 c we had a lot of flooding problems in cold weather on these jumped up to a ASF 42c a few yrs later Ford changed the plugs to the hotter heat range ASF 42.In some cases the 5.8 ran ASF 52 plugs

 

Fonzie - Don't get discouraged, I get that a lot as well. But, then, it is me and I sure wouldn't want to magpie you think I'm comparing myself to you. Anyway, some people don't see the interesting aspects of the trivia that you and I like. Their loss.