Spark plugs - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

birdmedic · 10-05-2010, 07:44

What kind of spark plugs should I be using on my 3.8 lx. She has 57000mls on her. But she a 93. Any suggestions. I did manage to find time to pull one. U think jts time for new ones.

**Bert** · 10-05-2010, 09:20

I'd change them if it was mine. I'd also either use platinum Autolite or Motorcraft plugs.

birdmedic · 10-05-2010, 09:26

I should not use like double tip or any cap like that. Right. I think those double tip one are a fad anyways. A spark can only go to 1 pole anhow. Am I right?

**Bert** · 10-05-2010, 10:34

The platinum keeps the eroding to a minimum. The doubles are mainly used where they have waste spark and the spark jumps the other way. At least get single platinum but I don't think they are that much difference in price. As seldom as they are replaced, I usually get doubles for my own cars. I don't remember if yours has waste spark or not.

**chipset** · 10-05-2010, 11:12

Just a thought here. Why don't you use the plugs that engine calls for in the manual or
under the hood ?

birdmedic · 10-05-2010, 11:49

I was just unsure if there would be anyreal advantage to real world power

70mstang · 10-05-2010, 13:55

well you're not going to get any noticeable power gains out of spark plugs alone, you might get a few ponies back though with new ones, if these are the original plugs you've just pulled out that's what? 17 years of use? factory stock sounds good enough for me.

birdmedic · 10-05-2010, 16:01

Well I bought the car with 55000 on the odometer. So yeah its 17 yrs old, the previous own stated that a tune up was done including plugs. After pulling them I realized she either got jipped or it just was not really completed. The plugs that are in the car are autolite. I just went and got motorcraft. I figure if this os what ford uses its good for me. No harm and ill install them to night or tomorrow morning.

**Bert** · 10-05-2010, 17:40

This is the word from Honeywell.

"As a division of the Honeywell Corporation, Autolite is the manufacturer responsible for the production of all Motorcraft spark plugs in North America for the Ford Motor Company. Both Autolite and Ford/Motorcraft spark plugs are built to quality standards using quality components. Autolite manufacture's the Motorcraft plugs based on the specific design requirements of the Ford Motor Company. Autolite and Motorcraft spark plugs are manufactured side-by-side at our facility in Northern Ohio."

**chipset** · 10-05-2010, 19:09

VERY strange. I've been a dealer tech for about 43 years. Worked for the " big 3 ".
We had a bulliten from Ford. " DO NOT USE AUTOLITE PLUGS.'' If you were lucky they could last 6 months. Not too many people got that far. I've seen them crap out and miss fire in 3 days. That was 30 years ago. Nothing has changed. I don't even think you can still get them up here any more. Haven't seen them for years. Go figure. Why is our
auto tech support and dearlership support so much different from the U.S. ? I was going
to say superior but thought i'd better not. Just my input