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spark plugs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scorcher2005
  • Start date Start date Aug 9, 2004
S

Scorcher2005

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Apr 17, 2004
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Aug 9, 2004
#1
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #1
i was thinking of getting some new plug wires and plugs soon. for the wires i chose MSD super conducter 8.5mm. For the spark plugs i was looking at NGK v-power plugs. they come in a variety of sizes and styles and i was wondering which would be best. Also, in my repair manual, it says to coat the plug boot & rotor blade w/ silicone dielectric compound - is that necessary and provide any benefits?
 

kdog_x

Founding Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Aug 9, 2004
#2
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #2
Scorcher2005 said:
i was thinking of getting some new plug wires and plugs soon. for the wires i chose MSD super conducter 8.5mm. For the spark plugs i was looking at NGK v-power plugs. they come in a variety of sizes and styles and i was wondering which would be best. Also, in my repair manual, it says to coat the plug boot & rotor blade w/ silicone dielectric compound - is that necessary and provide any benefits?
Click to expand...

Yes, the dielectric compound makes a better connection between the two parts. Less resistance = more spark, It won't add 50 HP or anything but for $1 a packet you cant go wrong. As far as finding the better plug, I'll leave that question to someone else.
 
S

Silver85TC

New Member
May 28, 2003
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Aug 9, 2004
#3
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #3
Most people say autolites are the best plugs for our cars. I've heard a few people say good things about NGK as well. Read down a few posts. There is another post about plugs/wires.
 
9

90bluegt

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#4
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #4
Autolites are way to go. They aren't as fancey as NGK's but they run twice as good in our cars.
 
S

Scorcher2005

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#5
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #5
well, it seems autolite is the way to go then. they are cheaper too, $1.73 < $2.39 ngk's
 
S

Scorcher2005

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#6
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #6
hmm, that other price was from a place called crown auto parts. i called autozone and they said they have 3 different ones: the regular resistor plug for $1.29, the platinum for $2.39, and double platinum for $3.39. which should i go with?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,176
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Aug 9, 2004
#7
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #7
Scorcher2005 said:
hmm, that other price was from a place called crown auto parts. i called autozone and they said they have 3 different ones: the regular resistor plug for $1.29, the platinum for $2.39, and double platinum for $3.39. which should i go with?
Click to expand...


Regular resistor = copper plug.

That's what you want.

Just ask for Autolite 25's. Those are the plugs you want. Not AP25's or APP25's, just plain ole 25's
 
S

Scorcher2005

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#8
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #8
so what are the platinum plugs good for?
 

Stang8URMPRT

Active Member
Dec 28, 2003
1,100
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Daytona Beach, FL
Aug 9, 2004
#9
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #9
Platinums are good for longevity, not performance.. My friend put Bosch 4 Platinums in his 500 HP VR4... It detonated to hell.. What a retard. lol

Nick
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,176
17,878
224
Massachusetts
Aug 9, 2004
#10
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #10
Scorcher2005 said:
so what are the platinum plugs good for?
Click to expand...


Lincolns and Caddys and people who don't like to spend 1 hour every year or so changing cheap spark plugs.


Platnium plugs were developed for the 100K mile tune up. They are harder and don't wear as easy as coppers.

But copper plugs conduct electricity better, so they are better for performance
 
S

Scorcher2005

Member
Apr 17, 2004
883
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Aug 9, 2004
#11
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #11
are the autolites pregapped to .04-.045"?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,176
17,878
224
Massachusetts
Aug 9, 2004
#12
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #12
Scorcher2005 said:
are the autolites pregapped to .04-.045"?
Click to expand...

No plugs are every pre-gapped. You need to gap them yourself.

And the gap for 87-later 5.0's is 0.052" - 0.056". The pre-87 5.0 has the 0.040" - 0.045" gap.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
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Aug 9, 2004
#13
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #13
Mustang5L5 said:
No plugs are every pre-gapped. You need to gap them yourself.
Click to expand...
seems true to me. bad part is that one is not supposed to regap plats (rips the coating off), yet every set i get (i run them in some of the DD's), are not gapped even close to right. typical.
 

Steve491

Member
Apr 20, 2008
254
2
19
Charlotte, NC
Oct 30, 2011
#14
  • Oct 30, 2011
  • #14
Mustang5L5 said:
No plugs are every pre-gapped. You need to gap them yourself.

And the gap for 87-later 5.0's is 0.052" - 0.056". The pre-87 5.0 has the 0.040" - 0.045" gap.
Click to expand...

I know, I know, this thread is 7 years old but now it's back on top.
Most plugs I've installed over the years are fairly close to the correct gap right out of the box. I got a close out price on some AP25 for my 5.0 F-150 and they're gapped about 42-45 right out of the box. My year (1995) needs 52-56. Bending the ground strap up to achieve .054 makes it look wrong.
why did they change the gap in 1997?
Before you tell me that copper plugs would be better for performance, I already know that. I'm not looking for high performance out of this old truck. I've had it for 16 years now and it's time for the last set of plugs I'll ever install.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Oct 30, 2011
#15
  • Oct 30, 2011
  • #15
Steve491 said:
I know, I know, this thread is 7 years old but now it's back on top.
Most plugs I've installed over the years are fairly close to the correct gap right out of the box. I got a close out price on some AP25 for my 5.0 F-150 and they're gapped about 42-45 right out of the box. My year (1995) needs 52-56. Bending the ground strap up to achieve .054 makes it look wrong.
why did they change the gap in 1997?
Before you tell me that copper plugs would be better for performance, I already know that. I'm not looking for high performance out of this old truck. I've had it for 16 years now and it's time for the last set of plugs I'll ever install.
Click to expand...
You probably should not be re-gapping them anyhow.

Given the material and fact that performance is not a concern, just leave them where they're at.
 
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