what is the best spark plug to use? I have a 98 Expedition 4.6L with 232,000 miles on it. Changed spark plugs last night, used the Autolite APP104 double platinum. Had Bosch Platinum +4 in it, had less than 2 years and maybe 25000-30000 and they were really burnt up. I guess we shall see how the Autolites do.

 

I use NGK for everything. NGK double coats the shell with zinc so it doesnt corrode.

Anything more than a single electrode, is a gimmick.

 

I use Moptocraft Platinum Irridium plugs. OEM is the way to go they know the truck best.
I agree, anything with more than 1 electrode is a gimmick to me also, it only throws 1 spark.

 

When it comes to spark plugs stick with factory oem plugs they are designed for the vehicle.

 

So are you saying that Motorcraft plugs work better than a similarly designed plug? Jeeez you guys crack me up. There are better plugs than Motorcraft, and its not in electrode or insulator design either.

 

I used to as well, in fact I swore by them, then I had one fail in my Dodge van. I just shrugged it off as one of those stuff happens things and I changed it. About 6 months later another one failed. I took them all out and installed the OEM recommended Champion plugs. The engine ran a lot stronger and none of those plugs have failed yet.

 

Do a little research on blown out spark plugs In the ford engines and you will find that a majority of the plugs that get spit out are aftermarket plugs.

 

stick with Motorcraft.

 

Not trying to start an argument.

Trust but verify.

Who collected this data, and where can it be found?

 

There is no written data on the subject that i know of but the factory plugs are good for 100000 miles and I am yet to hear anyone complain about factory plugs. They are made specific to the vehicle/vehicles so why not stick with what works.

 

I've heard that in modern engines, the plugs are able to last a lot longer because of engine technology. I.E. engines have gotten better, not the spark plugs. Just like the old engines that we changed oil every 2,000 to 3,000 miles, and today's new cars are good for 7,000 or more miles.

 

Like what was said earlier, if the OEM plugs last 100,000 plus and they due,
why use anything else? A lot of people om here have hadexamples just like allaro has. They go back to the OEM and everything is good, It is such a pain to change plugs in these ford trucks why take a chance on some thing else.

 

For the same reason you turn to any other after-market modification. You're trying to make it better. We all know that things could be better, but for reasons of cost control, they don't always use the best parts. Why only electric fans on Lincoln Mark models, when the rest of us F-150's & Expeditions have clutch fans? Why don't Fords use a full synthetic factory fill? Why doesn't every car come with a K&N filter? Why don't we all have more aggressive and responsive tuning? Why those crappy manifolds instead of headers?

 

After all that I've read (it's a lot!), I will only put OEM plugs in THIS engine. I'd have to do research on other engine designs before saying "all" engines/vehicles. IMHO

 

Cost control is it. You can buy vehicles with premium features, they just come with a premium price. Go buy yourself a Porsche, it will come with a synthetic factory fill, agressive, responsive tuning and headers.

Trying to "make it better" can be a double edged sword. There are lots of products out there that claim to be better, yet it is just advertising. Your K&N filter is a prime example. Paper flows better and filters better yet people buy into the hype everyday. Cold air intakes, throttle body spacers, free flow exhaust, tuner chips, drilled brake rotors etc etc. In the right combination, with the right tuning, these things have potential. As installed by most people they are nothing more than a drain on the wallet.

My Expy is what it is. It will never be an awesome off roader, it will never be fast, it will never get great milage. If I simply maintain it per the manufacturers reccomendations it will do its job, and it will last a long time. Trying to "make it better" is a losing proposition IMO.