Autolite sells them for the 360 in my 68 f-100. I thought they were designed to handle the high amps, volts and heat found in the newer engines. Is there any advantage in using them on my 360 with a standard coil? Longer life? Cleaner burn? Less prone to fouling?

 

I found that Platinum Plugs are actually MORE prone to fouling. It likely depends on the exact plug and the way it is made....the Bosch ones I used had such a tiny little electrode that a mere speck of oil could foul it...and my Car ran terrible with them. I have seen some since that have a larger electrode...closer the the traditional copper ones...but I never tried using them again....

 

i've used many different types of fancy spark plugs and they are all garbage. nothing runs as smooth in my truck as a $1.50 basic spark plug. seriously.

 

I put autolite platinums in my '78 302 and I havent had any problems. They've been there for 4 years I believe they made a little more power

 

I used to work at a parts store and usually the american v-8 guys were bringing the platnum plugs back or getting the cheep champions again. they seem to work well in the newer stuff bit not so much in the classic iron. dont bother wasting your money on ANY plug with more than one tip either.

 

+1 red,yep i've used autolite platinums as well and i hate them

the sayings: you get what you pay for,
or
buy it cheap buy it twice,
heck i dont know which one to go by because it all depends ya know

 

I use the Standard NGK copper Plugs in my 390...I love 'em....something feels nice and naughty about putting Japanese plugs in a Ford! lol

 

I do think that to take advantage of the platinum tip requires a hotter spark. I had a set in a chebby and if I did not get it light in fire up it fouled. Once running and warm it did seem like it had a little more power. That chebby had a HEI

 

The platinum and many of the other new design spark plugs are designed to operate with HEI ignitions and hi output coils... A standard type distributor and coil on a 360 was never designed to fire that kind of plug, you'll do far better with an old style plug designed for the lower voltage systems... Just the same, the old style plugs don't enjoy a long life with a high output HEI ignition system.

 

personally i don't see the point to platinum plugs considering that the paltinum actually burns off in about 30 miles so why pay 3-5 $'s extra

 

Dave Severson Is Spot On 100% correct. I couldn't agree more.
I run a coil pack fired, variable voltage, Ford breakerless system in a Cologne 4.0L V6 with MAFS-TP/EFI. Anything less than double tipped Platnum plugs reduces everything from performance & economy to overall plug life. I wouldn't run anything less.

Conversely, running Platnum tips, even single tip ones in my 460 only has one major difference, Initial Cost. They cost a lot more & do nothing less expensive, standard, plugs will do. Besides that I don't have heat range option variables with platnums that I get with conventional plugs.

Electronic Ignition run by an ECM in EFI Systems is a whole different technology than Dura Spark II or other non EFI electronic, or Conventional P&C ignitions. The difference is voltage variables & spark temps which older technologies do not generate.

Two last points. The only thing lately I found Champion Spark Plugs good for is shattering the tempered glass in some newer vehicle windows.
Also platnum is not just a coating on good plugs. It is what electrodes on a single Platnums, or electrodes & annodes (grounds) on double tipped platnum are made of. It's why they don't errode or deteriorate under increased firing heat or changing cycles.

Just my $.02 on this thread

FBp