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1997 4.6 Plug Type

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Old Mar 22, 2011 | 11:07 PM
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1997 4.6 Plug Type

It's been a long, long time since I have changed the plugs in my truck I gave to my son (4.6/auto/2wd), and I was wondering what plug to buy. Bosch...??

The truck has about 300+k and running rough, I'm also taking it to AZone so they can scan it.

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Jim
 
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Old Mar 22, 2011 | 11:51 PM
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Most will say to replace with Motorcraft platinums. I am researching which plugs to get myself. I am weighing NGK G-power plat., Denso TT Plat., or the Motorcrafts. Motorcrafts are $5 each at the stores around me with the NGKs, Denso, etc being around $3.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2011 | 06:41 AM
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There are quite a few threads on the board from folks who have had issues when they used something other than Motorcraft. I can't offer any explanation as to why it happens, but with 100K mile change interval and the PITA factor of changing them, it's probably not worth experimenting with other brands.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2011 | 08:43 AM
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Its because to make the plug work correctly, you need the right gap, heat range, heat resistance, exposure, reach, dissipation, and a host of other factors that were considered when the original plugs were designed or selected. Aftermarket brands that were not part of the design process are wrong on at least 2 of those factors. You can't go wrong with Motorcraft, and you stand to gain very little by experimenting on your own.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2011 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Joe Finn
l and the PITA factor of changing them, it's probably not worth experimenting with other brands.
A~Men. I did change them out once before, and the wires, WoW.

I just couldn't remember the number for the MCraft (-> I guess the question should have been, but still I learned something) for that particular year.
 
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 07:27 PM
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Ok, I got ambitious and changed out the plugs/wires today.

Drivers side front two the electrode had a lot (not a ton) of build up/white crust.

Passenger side, front two had oil on the outside of the boot, but the plugs were clean on both ends.

The rear plug was clean in the block, but, the boot was full of oil and it was causing the spark plug to foul. Oil up in where the top of the plug was sitting in oil in the boot.

Some were or worked their way loose, not finger loose, but, not real tight like you use a wrench.

I did replace them three yrs ago w/Bosch (I didn't know I needed M-Craft), I replaced them today w/M-craft.

I'm not use to these motors, but the old motors & not sure how the plugs sit in the head. I was thinking it was a bad valve cover gasket causing the oil to leak in the plug valley but seeing where they install, it leads me to believe something else but I don't know.

Any way, the truck is running good.

Thanks for all the help,
Jim
 
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