Plug wires..

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Feb 14, 2001 | 06:07 PM

#31

jakegypsum

Posting Guru

Joined: Sep 2000

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From: Linwood, N.J. USA!

Plug wires..

Hotrodmex, I am not 100% sure what is different between an ignition that runs conventional plugs vs. one running platinum plugs. The first time I used platinum plugs, my truck seemed to run kinda strange at idle. Almost like there was a slight misfire. It ran fine, but there always seemed to be something slightly not proper. I went over the entire engine and checked everything out. Everything tuneup-wise was replaced. All adjustments were proper. I changed back to the Motorcraft plugs and the problem vanished. I never found out why the plugs did not run proper nor did I ever use them again. When I was new to these truck forums last summer, I was paging along when I came across a peticular thread discussing platinum plugs. There were several posts referring to platinum plugs and how to use them correctly. There was mention of how the ignition system was adjusted or tuned or altered somehow to run properly with platinum plugs. It may have only been on certain vehicles but that was last summer and I don't recall exactly what the difference was.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

Feb 14, 2001 | 08:36 PM

#32

fordtrucker

New User

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 17

Likes: 0

Plug wires..

I have a 92 F-250 4WD with a 460. I put in those expensive Bosch Platinum +4's (Those 4 prong platinum plugs) and I took them back after 200 miles. The engine idled funny and no power diference was noticed. Gas mileage stayed the same. I talked to my mechanic about them and he is not a believer in platinum plugs in my truck. He told me to stick with the "plain jane" motorcraft plug. I put a set of those in and my idle was smooth and I did notice a increase of power difference but the same fuel economy (460's are a thirsty engine).

My mechanic also showed me something worth noting as well. He took one of my Bosch Platinum +4 plugs and a motorcraft plug and put them side by side. The motorcraft plug was 3/16's of an inch longer than the platinum plug was (from the washer to the tip of the plug). Would this make a difference? I would believe so.

Just my 2 cents.

1992 F-250HD 4X4 S/C XLT
460 cid
E40D
3" Flowmaster Force II Cat-Back Exhaust
Banks Ram Air

Feb 15, 2001 | 05:05 PM

#33

bjoern

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 426

Likes: 1

From: houston, texas (now Berli

Plug wires..

The +4 plugs are slightly shorter - because they fire directly into the cylinder and not behind an 'arm' of metal. It's only the arm that makes them longer. So in the +4's the spark is more exposed to the air/gas mixture and thus yields better combustion. Or so Bosch says. Aynway, for my 88 302 it works just fine. Even though the plugs form the previous owner were still fine, I noticed a smoother idle and quicker start when I got the +4's.
So they work fine for me...

Feb 19, 2001 | 01:16 PM

#34

saxton

New User

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 2

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Plug wires..

otto-

i've got no problem with bosch parts. in fact, i prefered bosch over any other ignition parts until i put all bosch ignition parts in my truck. it immediately ran like crap. i replaced the bosch parts with all motorcraft- it once again purs like a kitten. as for my comment about bosch being "trash" in ford vehicles, that quote came from an ASE certified mechanic with over thirty years experience. turns out he was right. i suppose you could say that i had "ford prejudiced" plugs, sir.