Spark Plug Preferences
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Slatington PA
Spark Plug Preferences
Hey guys, I'm back. It's been a while, life's crazy in Oklahoma.
I have a real big hesitation issue when i tach up to 4 grand. It is almost like i hit the rev limiter or something. That is not the case, because it's set factory. I think it's either plugs, or timing. I wanted to do a runby to see if you guys agreed, before i spent money needlessly. From what i searched that seems to make the most sence. If you guys have anyother ideas run them by. I checked i check the air filter, the belts, went to auto zone for a read out- nil. Some suggested crapy gas or clogged filter, testing that later.
It kind makes getting on the highways down here crazier than it all ready is.
I have a real big hesitation issue when i tach up to 4 grand. It is almost like i hit the rev limiter or something. That is not the case, because it's set factory. I think it's either plugs, or timing. I wanted to do a runby to see if you guys agreed, before i spent money needlessly. From what i searched that seems to make the most sence. If you guys have anyother ideas run them by. I checked i check the air filter, the belts, went to auto zone for a read out- nil. Some suggested crapy gas or clogged filter, testing that later.
It kind makes getting on the highways down here crazier than it all ready is.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
For spark plugs, get Autolite or Motorcraft plugs and wires, makes a difference.
As far as your issue, when was the last time the O2 sensor was replaced? If the O2 sensor has started to fail, then your catalytic converter will fail too, and if that starts to plug up, you will loose power, especially in the top end.
As far as your issue, when was the last time the O2 sensor was replaced? If the O2 sensor has started to fail, then your catalytic converter will fail too, and if that starts to plug up, you will loose power, especially in the top end.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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Hey Alan, long time no see or hear. Yep, like Bear says, for ford it's MC or autolite. Sorry to hear about the race ranger, but at least your still in a ranger. Don't be a stranger, post more often, I've missed ya. There's not too many of us old timers left. Dono passed away a couple of days ago. It's good to hear from you buddy.
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From: Slatington PA
Thaks for the warm reception back in. I was driving it real rough last night. revin 1st out to 5 grand, then popin into 4th. i got it finnaly pop a code. it says it's running lean left bank. it popped while accelerating with the engine at 700 rpm. I'm thinking I'll run new plugs and wires, hit up a new o2 sensor, and replace the fuel filter(it's a long shot, but it looks old, so what the heck). Also thinking maybe vacum issuse? Btw i saved the engine, so I still have the 4.5L, and most of the fixings attached. I'm hopping to run it in to the new ranger this summer. Right now, i have too little time. Anybody hear from RangerPilot lately, I only live about 2 hours from him now.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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A friend of mine has a 76-77-78 f-100 w/ 351 winsor we have had similar problems, anyway if we put anything other than motorcraft in it the plugs die within a week, don't know why but the mc's just work, personaly I think that all those fancy split this and platnum plated thats, just make for complicated unnesisary expenses.
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From: Slatington PA
Well proprietary plugs likely comes from the way the engine burns fuel. My rangers always ran more advanced than I would have thought needed. That makes them subject to carbon fouling if it doesn't stay hot long enough. MC's meet thoses conditions, where as my friends rice seems to fire must later in the cycle, so it need to cool off fast to prevent preignition or detonation.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
i run autolite platnum plugs, a couple of years ago i had a engine problem that ended up being a failed gasket between the fuel rail and intake manifold. i pulled the lower intake also while i was that far down (no problems, just wanted to be sure) ive got almost 120,000 miles on it now, and its running good. every 6 moths i run a fuel injection cleaner through the system to keep my injectors in shape.
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Post Fiend
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The last I heard from Zach or (rangerpilot), he dumped the ranger and bought an explorer. He was moving over to that forum, he posted here a couple of times after that, then disapeared off the radar. I've not checked the explorer form to seee if he's still there.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Slatington PA
Now this just makes me feel stupid... mainly because my wife thought of it, and I didn't. and she doesn't know a cat from a muffler. She suggested i run some ingector cleaner through it, and even bought the bottle before suggesting it so i couldn't object. so i fill 'er up, and whad-ja-no. She's right. I went from around 15 mpg, back to my 22. belive it or not, but i'm a ginger driver. I drive slower than my grandpappy. gotta love her memory. i fixed ?her car like that not too long ago.
I heard somewhere though, that and engine gets addicted to that stuff. opinions
I heard somewhere though, that and engine gets addicted to that stuff. opinions
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
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From: Rhode Island
Now this just makes me feel stupid... mainly because my wife thought of it, and I didn't. and she doesn't know a cat from a muffler. She suggested i run some ingector cleaner through it, and even bought the bottle before suggesting it so i couldn't object. so i fill 'er up, and whad-ja-no. She's right. I went from around 15 mpg, back to my 22. belive it or not, but i'm a ginger driver. I drive slower than my grandpappy. gotta love her memory. i fixed ?her car like that not too long ago.
I heard somewhere though, that and engine gets addicted to that stuff. opinions
I heard somewhere though, that and engine gets addicted to that stuff. opinions
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,873
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From: St. Peter
Not to be negative, but I'm skeptical that injector cleaner actually fixed the issue. It has to be luck.
It actually sounds like a vacuum leak to me. Not saying the injector issues are impossible, but just not as likely as other things.
Depending on the year, make sure you use double platinum spark plugs, if not its not the end of the world, they will just wear out faster because of the waste spark system, they fire reverse polarity on 3 cylinders .
Also bad wires will cause strange issues especially under load. As there is more pressure in the cylinder, it becomes harder for the spark to jump the gap, and easier for it to jump from the wire to say the intake manifold.
But make sure you check all of your vacuum lines.
Again, I'm not trying to say you are wrong, it just doesnt happen every day that someone gets a "win" with a bottle of injector cleaner (isnt that stuff just heptane or somthing anyway?).
But hey, if the bottle of injector cleaner did it for ya, great!
It actually sounds like a vacuum leak to me. Not saying the injector issues are impossible, but just not as likely as other things.
Depending on the year, make sure you use double platinum spark plugs, if not its not the end of the world, they will just wear out faster because of the waste spark system, they fire reverse polarity on 3 cylinders .
Also bad wires will cause strange issues especially under load. As there is more pressure in the cylinder, it becomes harder for the spark to jump the gap, and easier for it to jump from the wire to say the intake manifold.
But make sure you check all of your vacuum lines.
Again, I'm not trying to say you are wrong, it just doesnt happen every day that someone gets a "win" with a bottle of injector cleaner (isnt that stuff just heptane or somthing anyway?).
But hey, if the bottle of injector cleaner did it for ya, great!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Slatington PA
Well 100 mile later and still running strong, but like i said, i still want to do plugs. you guys are right. it does seem to be luck in my loigic too. that's why i really wouldn't have tried it.
