Spark Plugs
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: NY (not the city!!)
Spark Plugs
Last time I did a tune up, I changed the plug wires, distributer cap and rotor. I had someone else put new plugs in a couple months later. I checked some of the plugs the last time I changed the oil and they were autolite platinums. So these are not copper like everyone here says to use? I did not pick out the plugs. My truck did seem to drop a few mpg after this and had less power. Should these be changed ASAP.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: NY (not the city!!)
Right after the plugs were changed I noticed a loss of power and my fuel milage dropped from 16-19 to 14-16. I re-checked the gap and that was fine so i figured it was something else (it is an old truck after all). Maybe this is the solution I am looking for. It def cant hurt anything
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Check MOTORCRAFT PARTS FOR FORD, LINCOLN OR MERCURY VEHICLES for the OEM plug number. I know a lot of the newer trucks came standard with platinum plugs.
I say this every time this topic comes up, but no one seems to listen: the only difference between a motorcraft platinum and a plain motorcraft copper plug is the plating material on the electrodes. Internally, they have the same copper core. The platinum on the electrode tips makes for a longer service life and doesn't change the performance of the plug any appreciable amount, and if that's what OEM calls for, it doesn't hurt anything to run.
It shouldn't hurt anything where the standard copper plug is called for either, but unless you hate changing plugs every 25-30000 miles, there's really no reason to run the motorcraft platinums. They shouldn't cause any problems, though, if you want the longer service interval.
What kind of cap, rotor, and wires did you install?
I say this every time this topic comes up, but no one seems to listen: the only difference between a motorcraft platinum and a plain motorcraft copper plug is the plating material on the electrodes. Internally, they have the same copper core. The platinum on the electrode tips makes for a longer service life and doesn't change the performance of the plug any appreciable amount, and if that's what OEM calls for, it doesn't hurt anything to run.
It shouldn't hurt anything where the standard copper plug is called for either, but unless you hate changing plugs every 25-30000 miles, there's really no reason to run the motorcraft platinums. They shouldn't cause any problems, though, if you want the longer service interval.
What kind of cap, rotor, and wires did you install?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: NY (not the city!!)
I dont remember what wires, cap and rotor i got, but they were the premium ones. $50 or so for the wires. I didnt get the plugs changed until a few months later. The truck ran a lot better after the wires and i did not notice a difference until after the plugs were changed. I was expecting a big difference cause the old plugs were worn out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
What was the plug gap? It should be .054-.056" for a 95.
The motorcraft site lists both a platinum and standard copper plug for a 95 F150 302, so that probably means the standard copper plug was original equipment. The platinum shouldn't make a difference, but the copper plugs are not so expensive that you couldn't try a set and see if they made any difference.
The motorcraft site lists both a platinum and standard copper plug for a 95 F150 302, so that probably means the standard copper plug was original equipment. The platinum shouldn't make a difference, but the copper plugs are not so expensive that you couldn't try a set and see if they made any difference.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: NY (not the city!!)
The gap was set to the sticker under the hood. I took the plugs back out to double check and they were fine. I will pick up a set of copper plugs next time I change the oil and see if there is a difference.