Plug mysteries Explained
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
Plug mysteries Explained
Lots of you already know this stuff, but interesting all the same.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...num-plugs.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...num-plugs.html
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Funny cause I never had good luck with bosch plats in any vehicle..even my old 86 vw van. They would foul terrible van would barely run. took em out put in nippon denso plugs and good to go. Don't put them in a ford super duty either. Double plats for sure in my aero's.
Dick
Dick
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
good article
those of us with the 4L Cologne are also familiar with it's love to ping and preignite for the least reason.
plug temperature design range are critical on these engines for long head life and performance.
a correctly firing and running 4L is a thing of beauty in the on ramp wars.
Autolite and their buyer Motorcraft got the 4L double plats right the first time.
why risk a $1000 head replacement job on the wrong plug.
wife's HMC cars love the Bosch 2s. run strong with no misses. would not trust my Aero to them
those of us with the 4L Cologne are also familiar with it's love to ping and preignite for the least reason.
plug temperature design range are critical on these engines for long head life and performance.
a correctly firing and running 4L is a thing of beauty in the on ramp wars.
Autolite and their buyer Motorcraft got the 4L double plats right the first time.
why risk a $1000 head replacement job on the wrong plug.
wife's HMC cars love the Bosch 2s. run strong with no misses. would not trust my Aero to them
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,015
Likes: 208
From: SoCal
I dunno, the 4 liter engine in my 1990 Aero has never pinged before, but its acceleration is pretty anemic in the best of tune.
I tried Bosch platinums in my 87 Mustang v8, and the engine definitely ran rougher than the Autolite/Motorcraft copper core plugs.
I tried Bosch platinums in my 87 Mustang v8, and the engine definitely ran rougher than the Autolite/Motorcraft copper core plugs.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
My 96 with 152,000 on it ran a little alot anemic until I ran 2 cans of seafoam in the gas tank. Now when you get on it it doesn't sound like a wheezing cat. It really opened up the intake cause you can here it growl just like my really nice 96. I'm happy as can be..
B4 it sounded like the exhaust was plugged. It went but not like the green one in the garage. Time for a drag race.
Dick
B4 it sounded like the exhaust was plugged. It went but not like the green one in the garage. Time for a drag race.
Dick
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
Seafoam or its lower cost more concentrated clone Berryman B12 is the cat's meow for the 4L especially.
suck a can in thru the TB plate hole and let her soak hot for 2 hours. take her out on the freeway and run her hard for 20 minutes.
burns and blows the carbon off the plugs, out of the ring grooves and cleans all the crud build up from TB plate to combustion chambers. it must burn/blow any carbon buildup off the CAT element also. mine sounds more throaty after a good B12 douche.
does nothing on the wife's Hondas.
i get the B12 here for $4 a can vs $10 for the SF.
i run Regane thru the tank to clean the fuel/injector system
suck a can in thru the TB plate hole and let her soak hot for 2 hours. take her out on the freeway and run her hard for 20 minutes.
burns and blows the carbon off the plugs, out of the ring grooves and cleans all the crud build up from TB plate to combustion chambers. it must burn/blow any carbon buildup off the CAT element also. mine sounds more throaty after a good B12 douche.
does nothing on the wife's Hondas.
i get the B12 here for $4 a can vs $10 for the SF.
i run Regane thru the tank to clean the fuel/injector system
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Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
One of the reasons the Bosches don't work is their fine wire, makes the tip get hotter, and that in turn causes preignition, and also wears out the tip very rapidly. This is true of others as well. Autolite designed the plug to meet the requirements of Ford electrical system and stock compression ratios. The plug is designed to cool down very rapidly.
The Bosches might be the right gap, but hte heat range is wrong. They are designed for the voltage of say a Volkswagon, and that voltage is typically lower. So on a VW, there isn't as much heat from the spark itself, so the tip doesn't need to cool down as much, since it never got quite has hot.
The Bosches might be the right gap, but hte heat range is wrong. They are designed for the voltage of say a Volkswagon, and that voltage is typically lower. So on a VW, there isn't as much heat from the spark itself, so the tip doesn't need to cool down as much, since it never got quite has hot.
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Senior User
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I need to change plugs in my '95 3.0L in the spring.
What, specifically, should I be looking for?
*please describe, in essay form, 300 words or less, the pros and cons, etc.
Part numbers and prices, greatly appreciated.
What, specifically, should I be looking for?
*please describe, in essay form, 300 words or less, the pros and cons, etc.
Part numbers and prices, greatly appreciated.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Just get the Autolite OE spec or get Motorcraft plugs. I order this stuff from Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto. They have great prices and they carry both brands.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
Plugs to get are PP or double platinum. The Motorcraft version for our 3L vans is AGSF32FM. Conventional platinum plugs are not recommended.
they will of course work, but servicable life will be reduced quite substantially. Looking at my records I recently paid $36 CAD inc tx, for a set of 6.Aeroman.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
the 95 3L Aero engine is conventional distributor not EDIS thus does NOT require double platinum. saves a few bucks
AUTOLITE Part # AP104 More Info {PLUGS Platinum}
Original Equipment Style; Gap .044; Replaces AP764
MOTORCRAFT Part # SP493 More Info {Platinum Spark Plug #AGSF32PM, AGSF32PMF4, AGSF32PMF6}
.044 Gap
about $2.50 each at Rock auto
AUTOLITE Part # AP104 More Info {PLUGS Platinum}
Original Equipment Style; Gap .044; Replaces AP764
MOTORCRAFT Part # SP493 More Info {Platinum Spark Plug #AGSF32PM, AGSF32PMF4, AGSF32PMF6}
.044 Gap
about $2.50 each at Rock auto
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 830
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From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
Wonder what's the diff between PM & FM plugs ? I got the FM's from my local Ford stealership! 
P.S. just found out FM means Fine wire, full threaded plug (which is also a double platinum).
(95, 3L) MOTORCRAFT® FULL LINE CATALOG OF PARTS FOR FORD, LINCOLN OR MERCURY VEHICLES
P.S. just found out FM means Fine wire, full threaded plug (which is also a double platinum).
(95, 3L) MOTORCRAFT® FULL LINE CATALOG OF PARTS FOR FORD, LINCOLN OR MERCURY VEHICLES