spark plug ???

Topic: spark plug ??? (Read 884 times) previous topic - next topic

spark plug ???

January 27, 2010, 11:31:18 PM

hey guys
can someone explain spark plug gapping? the auto parts site i was looking at had the motorcraft at .044 for my 1984 3.8 engine, and then i was looking at the specs on ericscoolcats and it is listed by ford as .054 . does that mean they are the wrong ones on the parts website, or do they have to be regapped?
also are the motorcraft good , or is there better ones . the car has 117,000 miles on it and im not sure if something different should be used on higher mileage cars.
i know when i had my 1995 towncar i tried a different brand of wires and plugs and the car ran like :toilet: the 4.6 on it was very touchy to that stuff.
thanks for any help
eddie

spark plug ???

Reply #1 – January 28, 2010, 12:27:30 AM

for my 84 cougar v6 that's all i used motorcraft spark plugs. since i use to work at a parts store i was able to try every kind of plug for a little bit cheaper then usually and notice that factory type plugs work the best. like for ford use only motorcraft or autolite, chevy used only ac delco and etc.

spark plug ???

Reply #2 – January 28, 2010, 12:43:37 AM

The decal on the fan shroud of my 84 3.8 T-Bird says .042-.046

spark plug ???

Reply #3 – January 28, 2010, 04:37:49 PM

Setum at .040 and don't worry about it... On std copper plugs that will give you about 7500 miles before they've worn to .042-.044... Wider gaps allow more voltage to build in the coil for a slightly hotter spark, down side is the higher voltage burns up the plug wires... Unless you want to rep plug wires ever 30-40K mi, forget you ever heard of setting a plug at more than .050...

I just replaced the plugs about 10 days ago in the beater '93 Grand Marquis(started skipping on #8), yep they're set at .040...

spark plug ???

Reply #4 – January 31, 2010, 05:06:47 PM

thats what i was thinking blackcougar... i like OEM stuff, but ya never know.

interesting info on the plug gaps turbo.... i guess they would like them set higher so you spend more ???

spark plug ???

Reply #5 – January 31, 2010, 05:42:14 PM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;308221

Setum at .040 and don't worry about it... On std copper plugs that will give you about 7500 miles before they've worn to .042-.044... Wider gaps allow more voltage to build in the coil for a slightly hotter spark, down side is the higher voltage burns up the plug wires... Unless you want to rep plug wires ever 30-40K mi, forget you ever heard of setting a plug at more than .050...

I just replaced the plugs about 10 days ago in the beater '93 Grand Marquis(started skipping on #8), yep they're set at .040...

What he said. Unless you're running a CD or Digital Ignition Id stick to the manufacturer specs.