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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

sparkplugs

Old Aug 20, 2000 | 01:23 PM
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sparkplugs

Any of you folks tried either the Bosch +4 or NGK V-Power plugs? I have a '94 with the 5.0. Always been a diehard Autolite user, but now I'm looking at some of these newer plugs. Are they worth the money and do they really "perform" the way they're advertised to? I'm also running a Jacobs coil with 8mm Motor Sport wires. Anyone found a good plug gap that they're satisfied with using a similar set-up? Thanks.
Bert
 
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Old Aug 21, 2000 | 10:17 AM
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sparkplugs

I use the bosch in all three of my vehicles, 93 grand marquis, 87 bronco (5.7), 93 f350 4X(5.7+)
I did notice a slight power gain in the merc. along with about 2 mpg better, but the biggest advantage I havseen is the "new plug" feel that I have even after 35k. after rebuilding the truck and bronco is when these were installed, so I couldn't give a fair benchmark. How do you like the Jacobs is it worth the $... I feel the Bosch are.
 
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Old Aug 21, 2000 | 11:18 AM
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sparkplugs

 
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Old Aug 21, 2000 | 01:09 PM
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sparkplugs

I also use Jacobs wires. They told me to not use platitum plugs and use coppor core plugs and they had me almost double the plug gap to .50. Truck runs great.

If I were you I would use the tol free phone number for Jacobs and ask them what gap to use and what plug to use.
 
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Old Aug 21, 2000 | 02:42 PM
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sparkplugs

I made a mistake in my posting. Said plug gap was .50. This should read ".050".
 
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Old Aug 21, 2000 | 03:15 PM
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sparkplugs

I went with just the ultra coil, instead of the whole package. All the research I'd done led me to believe that the Ford ignition set-up was fine. I've been using Autolite's, one heat range colder, and gapped to about .054". Truck starts fine, with a noticeable sound of authority. I hadn't really noticed a change in mileage or performance. In fact, there may be a little hesitation in the engine when the truck's just cruising along. That's why I was considering different plugs. I recall that Jacobs doesn't recommend plugs with multiple electrodes ie. splitfire. Only drawback was searching for a mounting spot for that huge coil. Finely removed the jack from the right fender and mounted it there. I left the oem coil in place so I have a back-up if need. Thanks for your replys!
Bert

 
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Old Aug 22, 2000 | 09:46 PM
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sparkplugs

I run about a .048 on my plugs, but I'm using an MSD TFI Coil, with Ford Motorsport 9mm plug wires, a Brass contact distributor cap & rotor.

I have noticed a much better power output over the stock setup, and soon will be purchasing an MSD 6A box to add a little more fire to the mixture.


The guy at the shop where I have some of my more extensive work done almost fainted when he saw the 9 MM plug wires. He asked me "don't you know that you have to have a bigger coil if you're going to run plug wires that size?" He couldn't see the MSD coil because it was mounted in the factory bracket on the valve cover. Boy was he surprised.
 
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Old Aug 24, 2000 | 07:42 AM
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sparkplugs

To all,
Thanks for your replies. I changed to Autolite Platinums, with Jacob's advice, and went "two" ranges colder on the plug heat range. I changed the gap to .050" and just for fun, bumped the timing up another degree to 12 degrees. Took her out for a test run and "wow". Throttle response from a dead stop was awesome. She pulled solid up to 2,000 rpm and then pulled even harder to about 3,000. Wish my old '85 GT could have done that well. Anxious to see what the mileage will be. Thanks again.
Bert
 
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