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Jul 1, 2003 | 12:58 AM

bunyun76

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From: los angeles

spark plugs

I was wondering what spark plugs do most people run on there explorer. I have a 91 4.0 and I use to always run the bosch platinums, however they just don't seem to last long enough, only like 6 months or so. I heard you shouldn't run any champions so i was just wondering what people suggested?

Jul 1, 2003 | 09:55 AM

mrshorty

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From: UT

spark plugs

Stock engine? In mine, I like to run the stock copper core plugs. I tried splitfires once in my Explorer, and that was a disaster with the engine pinging and the poor performance etc. I don't know if it was the platinum or the notched electrode or a combination of the two, but it was bad. So, I just run cheap, stock plugs. I've heard it said that Motorcraft or Autolite plugs are best in Ford engines.

Jul 1, 2003 | 02:04 PM

bunyun76

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From: los angeles

spark plugs

My engine is pretty much stock except i put one of those kurt kustoms air filter elements. I also changed the mufflers to some magna flows and it seems gas mileage has decreased after that. Maybe its just me. but its odd.

Jul 1, 2003 | 03:02 PM

CobraXP

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From: Fort Smith

spark plugs

The Autolites or Motorcraft are my opinion the best. I have triedd all the different plugs also, but the Autolite Double Plats have done the best so far, even with my mods I have done...

JMO...

Jul 1, 2003 | 03:36 PM

bunyun76

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From: los angeles

spark plugs

I keep hearing that the copper core plugs are better than platinum however they last only like 30,000 miles compared to the 100k of the platinums. Is this true.

Jul 1, 2003 | 04:16 PM

Toon

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From: Purmerend / The Netherlands

spark plugs

On my '95 explorer I installed coppercore AC-Delco's (couldn't get anything else), after a 2000 miles vacationtrip the engine starts pinging already at idle and cruising at 1600 rpm (no load).
Don't buy them, go for the platinums.
Greetz, Tony.

Jul 1, 2003 | 04:49 PM

mrshorty

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From: UT

spark plugs

Quote:

Originally posted by bunyun76
I keep hearing that the copper core plugs are better than platinum however they last only like 30,000 miles compared to the 100k of the platinums. Is this true.

I've heard this, too, in relation to older engines. They say it has to do with the difference in the resistance of copper vs. the resistance of platinum. For an engine that is tuned to use a copper plug, using a platinum plug can cause the plug to fire earlier and with less voltage (colder) than with the higher resistance of a copper plug. That's what they say, anyway.
If you look on Motorcrafts website, they show that Explorers went from copper to platinum stock in the '93 model year.
I haven't ever tried a Motorcraft platinum in my '92, but I find that the coppers work just fine, I just have to change them twice as often. And the more often I change them, the less likely they are to get seized into the engine.