Same engine, 2 different spark plug types
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New User
Joined: Jul 2001
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Same engine, 2 different spark plug types
I have a 96 Ranger, V6 3 liter, 63k miles. The check engine light had been turning on. occasionally clearing, but most of the time on. I decided to change the plugs and air filter.
I got new plugs, the Bosch platinum type and when removing the old ones I noticed one side of the block uses 1 plug type, the other side uses a different plug type (this was confirmed in the operator manual). The center electrode is noticably shorter on the one side, providing for a larger gap. The gaps on both were over twice the specified gap.
I had to install the new plugs despite the requirement for 2 different types and it is running fine (and the check engine light has cleared).
Does anyone have info on this... why are there different plugs? Is there harm in using 1 type for all? Thanks.
I got new plugs, the Bosch platinum type and when removing the old ones I noticed one side of the block uses 1 plug type, the other side uses a different plug type (this was confirmed in the operator manual). The center electrode is noticably shorter on the one side, providing for a larger gap. The gaps on both were over twice the specified gap.
I had to install the new plugs despite the requirement for 2 different types and it is running fine (and the check engine light has cleared).
Does anyone have info on this... why are there different plugs? Is there harm in using 1 type for all? Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 248
Likes: 2
Same engine, 2 different spark plug types
The thing was that one side has platinum tips on the electrode, the other side has the platinum piece on the the other thingy.. (never could remember the name of it)
It's a common ford thing, it has to do with how the ignition fires. With the coil packs, on one side of the coil it fires from the center to the other thing. On the other side of the coil, it fires the other way, from the other thing TO the center. Ford decided to be cheap and manufacture the plugs so that they would last the longest, but without the double platinum so they would be cheaper. Got it?
If you go to Ford and buy new plugs, they'll give you double plainum plugs, instead of the factorys.
I've never seen any problems with standard Bosch platinum plugs witht his type of ignition, it's what I have in my 4.0. Go ahead and run them, or go back and buy double platinum Autolites or Motorcraft. Just don't run less than single platinum, they WILL get chewed up in less than 15,000 miles.
(this is how it was explained to me a few years ago when I was into newer t-birds with the 4.6 engines. These guys knew what they were talking about! The head guy there was one of the guys on the Ford R&D team for the mod motors)
It's a common ford thing, it has to do with how the ignition fires. With the coil packs, on one side of the coil it fires from the center to the other thing. On the other side of the coil, it fires the other way, from the other thing TO the center. Ford decided to be cheap and manufacture the plugs so that they would last the longest, but without the double platinum so they would be cheaper. Got it?
If you go to Ford and buy new plugs, they'll give you double plainum plugs, instead of the factorys.
I've never seen any problems with standard Bosch platinum plugs witht his type of ignition, it's what I have in my 4.0. Go ahead and run them, or go back and buy double platinum Autolites or Motorcraft. Just don't run less than single platinum, they WILL get chewed up in less than 15,000 miles.
(this is how it was explained to me a few years ago when I was into newer t-birds with the 4.6 engines. These guys knew what they were talking about! The head guy there was one of the guys on the Ford R&D team for the mod motors)
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 248
Likes: 2
Same engine, 2 different spark plug types
Oh yes, almost forgot. The reason that if you went to the dealership and bought new plugs and they come double platinum is that Ford stopped the cheap practice. All their new engines come DP now.
