Copper Plugs?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CFB Petawawa Canada
Copper Plugs?
Fellas
I am replacing the plugs in my Aerostar, 4LT. At Ford they have two plugs listed. PP and C Plugs, both the same heat and spects. I am asking has anyone used the copper ones? In my ford book they have both listed for my van, an the sticker has PP. Both ford dealers recommend the copper, due to the age and cost.
PP plug -11$ each
C plug - 3$ each
I am replacing the plugs in my Aerostar, 4LT. At Ford they have two plugs listed. PP and C Plugs, both the same heat and spects. I am asking has anyone used the copper ones? In my ford book they have both listed for my van, an the sticker has PP. Both ford dealers recommend the copper, due to the age and cost.
PP plug -11$ each
C plug - 3$ each
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Use the double platinums copper plugs won't last as long and trust me after you replace the two rear plugs you'll want to have as long a stretch until they need to be replaced as possible 
.
The Aero is very finicky about the plugs you use and I have never seen any specs stating you should use anything less then double platinum.
.The Aero is very finicky about the plugs you use and I have never seen any specs stating you should use anything less then double platinum.
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From: CFB Petawawa Canada
Originally Posted by krankshaft
Use the double platinums copper plugs won't last as long and trust me after you replace the two rear plugs you'll want to have as long a stretch until they need to be replaced as possible .
The Aero is very finicky about the plugs you use and I have never seen any specs stating you should use anything less then double platinum.
.The Aero is very finicky about the plugs you use and I have never seen any specs stating you should use anything less then double platinum.
Ford has both listed for the 4LT Aerostar. But at 3$ a piece it's a ggod price. My Aero is easy to change the rear ones.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
the Ford 4L has an extra HV high current multi fire spark from it's EDIS coilpack that is death on standard plugs, eats the tips off....you'll only get 20-30k miles on the copper core standard steel tip and the center electrode will be eaten away to the insulator on one bank and the ground electrode will be worn away to uselessness on the other side
only double platinum or iridium in these Ford multi coil packs
never have seen the platinums loss any tip metal, the gap does open up though after 100k miles to 0.070" or more from the ground electrode bending from heat and combustion....i've regapped them on other Fords and good to go for another 100k miles
only double platinum or iridium in these Ford multi coil packs
never have seen the platinums loss any tip metal, the gap does open up though after 100k miles to 0.070" or more from the ground electrode bending from heat and combustion....i've regapped them on other Fords and good to go for another 100k miles
Last edited by 96_4wdr; May 7, 2006 at 01:26 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
well i would go with copper if they are easy for you and 3.00 each is a rip. go get a set of autolites same as motorcraft and they only cost 1.49 each or 2 for 2.19 at some walamrts with large car sections or you can get single platinum plugs from napa or kragen for 2.99 each
www.kragen.com
www.rockauto.com
www.napaonline.com
www.kragen.com
www.rockauto.com
www.napaonline.com
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by 96_4wdr
the Ford 4L has an extra HV high current multi fire spark from it's EDIS coilpack that is death on standard plugs, eats the tips off....you'll only get 20-30k miles on the copper core standard steel tip and the center electrode will be eaten away to the insulator on one bank and the ground electrode will be worn away to uselessness on the other side
only double platinum or iridium in these Ford multi coil packs
never have seen the platinums loss any tip metal, the gap does open up though after 100k miles to 0.070" or more from the ground electrode bending from heat and combustion....i've regapped them on other Fords and good to go for another 100k miles
only double platinum or iridium in these Ford multi coil packs
never have seen the platinums loss any tip metal, the gap does open up though after 100k miles to 0.070" or more from the ground electrode bending from heat and combustion....i've regapped them on other Fords and good to go for another 100k miles
plug gap 2X, which requires higher voltages.
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From: CFB Petawawa Canada
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
well i would go with copper if they are easy for you and 3.00 each is a rip. go get a set of autolites same as motorcraft and they only cost 1.49 each or 2 for 2.19 at some walamrts with large car sections or you can get single platinum plugs from napa or kragen for 2.99 each
www.kragen.com
www.rockauto.com
www.napaonline.com
www.kragen.com
www.rockauto.com
www.napaonline.com
Also sticker on my has two plugs listed, PP Cdn 42s and PP US 32s. Ford of Canada as PP42sand C42s listed for Canadian 4lt.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,016
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From: SoCal
If Ford actually installed different plugs at the factory (platinum center on one side and platinum ground on the other) and you take them out and regap them to put them back in, I guess you would have to put them back into the same side that they came out of.
If you bought double platinum plugs, used them for 100K+ miles, would you see any significant wear? If so, can you regap them and install them into the opposite sides so the current flowing the other way might redeposit the worn away platinum back onto the electrode that lost it? Just a thought...I think platinum still costs 3x of gold.
If you bought double platinum plugs, used them for 100K+ miles, would you see any significant wear? If so, can you regap them and install them into the opposite sides so the current flowing the other way might redeposit the worn away platinum back onto the electrode that lost it? Just a thought...I think platinum still costs 3x of gold.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
I agree copper plug will not last long. And with the labor involved in changeing them, I would highly recommend a longer lasting plug. Also, if they don't work right, you will quickly pay the difference in cost in increased fuel consumption. Also, increased carbon build up from poor combustion is not good for the engine.