gonna change the spark plugs, wire set, distributer cap and rotor on my 97 f250 HD 5.8L.
Any tips or tricks anyone would care to share?
Any recommendations as to plugs and wires seem to work well?
It's not gonna be the broken plug horror show I've read about with newer Ford trucks is it?

Thanks folks, Keystonepaul

 

Standard Motorcraft or Autolite plugs, Ford Racing wires and MSD cap and rotor. For a little extra: go with a higher output coil, gap the plugs around .055" and bump the timing up a few degrees. Many of the Bronco guys have done this with great results in MPG and seat of the pants gain.

I have used that combo on my current '92 F-350 w/5.8L engine. It runs much better than when I started. Can't really say I gained any MPGs but it does seem like it takes less throttle to cruise up to speed and the idle quality is much smoother. In any case most of the feedback on plugs indicate there is no rea$on to install fancy plugs on this vintage engine.

 

Thanks, Keystonepaul

 

Here's a link for Ignition upgrade, plug gap stretch & further advance of base timing. Try it, you'll like it! FullSizeBronco.com - 78 - 96 Ford Bronco offroad club, forums, tech, installs 48K (look for a .35-.45 ohm)coil's a nice output, & a Brass Cap & rotor w/ some Ford 9's or MSD 8.5 Superconductors (Favorites). Cuts a lot of crap & will outlast the stock grade stuff.

 

Couldn't agree more

Motorcraft plugs
Ford racing wires
MSD cap/rotor

 

what about the 10 mm wires?

just curious as always

 

Taylor makes nice 10mm wires.

 

what about uhm who was it... davis i think thats it i saw them on summits website earlier when i was looking at stuff

 

The helically wound wire (40ft/ 12 inches) w/ core (single strand) like MSD superconductors don't take up that much of the total size of the plug wire diameter. The silicone insulating sheathe takes up the the bulk of the 8.5mm size, which comes in handy w/ a 48 or 60K coil (especially a low resistance coil like .35-.45 ohm/ the spark pulse is looking for any excuse to discharge prior to reaching the plug). I think they're (wires) rated at 40-50 ohm resistance/ft. also. Hard act to follow! Copper Core Plugs love em!

 

I'll also chime in and say Ford racing wires, MSD cap and rotor, and Motorcraft or Autolite plugs. Add an MSD coil too.

 

I assumed this thread would bring in all matter of debate. It looks like the proven combo of MSD cap/rotor, copper plugs and Ford Racing wires is a winner. I also installed a MSD high output coil. A few on FSB have found theirs were short lived so they switched to Accel.

Thanks guys for chiming in!

 

The only thing's set in stone w/ me are MSD Superconductor wires & Motorcraft Copper Cores. Making a good brass C&R to spec. is no great feat & easily duplicated. For high output coils, There are premature catastrophic failure stories for all the known brands. It's the nature of the little beasts! Maybe more so w/ low resistance units (.35-.45 ohm). But those are the ones that copper cores like & ignition control boxes sync with.

My first Pertronix 60K Pooched in about a year. While shopping for an alternative brand replacement, I found another 60K Pertronix low ohm., well below list price. This ones going on it's 4th year. One thing they all prefer is a controlled environment for the spark pulse. Starting at point A, arriving at point B. But they will take any detour along the way when allowed to. If your wires allow this, then yes, by all means, shoot the messenger & replace those with a set that will do the job & for as long as possible. "MDS 8.5mm Low Resistance Superconductors" has without a doubt, the best Specs. off the shelf & I have 4 yrs. on my set, which is double what I previously averaged. That being said, Ford 9's are easily my second choice. Now that I think about it, they (MSD S/C's) went on when the coil was replaces. Coincidence? Or the first coil was on greased skids by using lessor quality wires? They were Accel's.

 

msd has 2 coils.... the blaster and street fighter every thing looks about the same on them except the blaster is all red and the street fighter has black around it... and the blaster is more expensive

which one works the best

 

The S/F is a factory replacement but higher quality. THe Blaster is a H/P unit.
Primary resistance: .68 OHMs (lower than S/F, ignition box compatible)
Maximum voltage: 44,000 Volts (Higher than S/F)
Spark duration: 300 uS (slightly longer than S/F)

Blaster is definably a marked step up. But I personally prefer something w/ more voltage output (48-60K) & less primary resistance (.35-.45) as I side gap my copper cores at .056 (.044 is stock gap). If you're just planning on stretching you gap, say from .044 to .054. I'd still prefer 48K, but a 44K Blaster should do the job! Google Pertronix Flame-Thrower HV Coils & compare specs. & prices.

 

soak plugs for a day or so with rust buster.

read some of the many threads on this same subject.