changing the plugs

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 5, 2009 | 05:46 PM

#46

HYPO

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 132

Likes: 0

I really had my mind made up to use the Champions until I read a few negative posts about detonation and the electrode tips and insulators eroding off the Champions. I suppose those issues were most likely due to improper timing or gap, but it still doesn't make you feel real comfortable when trying to decide. BTW what gap did you use? I feel it necessary to ask about gap because the Champions and Risks use the standard configuration and I have heard that the Risks, in particular, must be gapped just so or they will not run smoothly.

HYPO

Jan 5, 2009 | 06:14 PM

#47

G-dog68

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 29

Likes: 0

the champion 7989's aren't gapped, they look just like the factory motorcraft ones they are just one piece instead of two.

Jan 5, 2009 | 06:26 PM

#48

Hank85713

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 2,414

Likes: 22

From: Tucson USA

I went and bought the tool, $100 @ NAPA (pn 774021), found them as low as $75 on the net with a 3-4 day wait to ship, etc. anyhow looks to be a simple extraction and probably worth the money. I also got the high heat nickle antisieze Loctite 77124 8oz $18.

anyhow I cant do it because of my back so my son will when he gets off work. It recommends heating with a heat gun prior to removal just like the TSB for the plugs.

The tool is made by Lisle so if ya need one. no chipping required no need to remove the electrod if still in.

the old plugs were motorcrafts HT1's the new are autolites PF1 I think forget the number. Napa gets $17-19 for the champion plugs same as other places. thats the cheapest I have located, found some on net but no pics to confirm what they are.

So I will let ya know how things go in a day or so.

Thanks for all the help

Hank

Jan 5, 2009 | 07:48 PM

#49

Ryan50hrl

Post Fiend

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 7,698

Likes: 4

From: Neenah, Wisconsin

The champion plugs are gappable....should be gapped to .045

http://www.championsparkplugs.com/pr...s/2/7989%2Ejpg

Thats what they look like...

Jan 5, 2009 | 08:19 PM

#50

Fordz-r-us

Freshman User

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 35

Likes: 0

From: Carson Valley, Nevada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank85713

..... the old plugs were motorcrafts HT1's the new are autolites PF1 I think forget the number. Napa gets $17-19 for the champion plugs same as other places. thats the cheapest I have located....

A touch of dyslexia here perhaps? Autolite replacements are HT1, the factory Ford installed Motorcrafts are PZT1F ('06 & up), which is what came out of my '06 FX4. The Champ 7989's I got from Summit were much cheaper than your quote and were all gapped within .001 of the specified .045 inch. I got a whopping 300 miles on them so far and it runs excellent! I'm pretty confident I'll get a long life from them, but plan to check them every 30,000 miles to re-gap and re-antiseize.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HYPO

I read that post and believe you're right about the detonation, and maybe it's the wrong heat range due to other mods to the motor. Who knows, time will tell and I'll sure report back if any problems develop for me.

Jan 5, 2009 | 09:34 PM

#51

Ryan50hrl

Post Fiend

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 7,698

Likes: 4

From: Neenah, Wisconsin

I read that post too..and i've never had detonation on mine....i'll prolly pull them out at 40K and check them, But i'm guessin he had a tuner on the ones that were causing problems.....

Jan 6, 2009 | 05:51 AM

#52

Djack04F150XL

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 298

Likes: 0

From: Vicksburg, MS

I have had the Champions for about 1200 miles and I have a Hypertech Premium tune. They have not caused any problems. I, also just installed a set of Accel #140033 coils and it runs smoother than it did before.