Spark Plug replacement suggestions?

[jimlam56]

I pulled a coil cover on my new (to me) 2004 Silver Birch Marauder this weekend to look at the coil pack connections we've been discussing.
Figured I would pull a plug; the tip looked pretty worn with 18k on the car.
So next weekend it's new plugs and connectors.
I searched for spark plug suggestions, but couldn't find anything definitive.
So my question:
What plugs are y'all running on a bone stock car? (Don't worry, the bone stock part won't last long)
Thanks, Jim

[Mike Poore]

Jim, the guys talk about Denso(sp) plugs with some of the tuners. I'm wondering why your's are shot with such low miles. It's my understanding they're suposed last for 100,000 miles. I've got ~20K on my '04 and it's just getting broaken in, and runs great. Like yours, it's bone stock.. :)

[jimlam56]

Mike:

I think shot is too strong a word. The car runs fine. I am assuming that the electrode should be squared off on top, the one I pulled was more conical. Have you pullrd any of your plugs?
Since you have similar mileage it would be interesting to hear what yours look like.
Thanks, Jim

[Pat]

I just pulled my plugs at 15K and they were perfect. I changed to Denso's
IT-20's because I'm running nitrous now and the stock platinum plugs may melt.
If your going to stay stock or even employ a flash tuner the stock Motorcraft plugs are still a very good buy. My 2Cents.

[Agent M79]

I am sure there are variations on this and some will choose to argue as is inevitable anymore but... I usually use 8.


[uncomfortable silence]


Heh!

[CBT]

8! Of course!! Now I know why I had 4 left over!!!:lol:

[CRUZTAKER]

My opinion only.

OEM Motorcraft, whether you require a cooler plug or not. That's what I've always used. Well...their was that spell I tried the foreign variety once.

Once.:cool:

For the price, the way I drive, and how much I drive, they're fine and dandy.;)
18k on a set is fair to me. As hard on the car as I am, I'm happy to replace at 15k intervals.

[jgc61sr2002]

What Barry said. :D ^^^^^^^

[Mike Poore]

Have you pullrd any of your plugs?
Since you have similar mileage it would be interesting to hear what yours look like.
Thanks, Jim
Sadly, I'm not sure where to look for them. In the old days, they were the long white ceramic things the spark plug wires hooked up to. Now, after a '97 Cobra, two Aviators, an 02 F-150 and the '04 MM I've never discovered the location of those elusive little buggers, much less seen one of 'em. When I took delivery of the F-150, I asked the sales guy to show me where the plugs were. He couldn't find 'em, and I'm still looking. For a while, I didn't think there were any.:D

[RF Overlord]

I asked the sales guy to show me where the plugs were. He couldn't find 'em...Now THAT'S just sad... :shake:

Mike, they're under those raised areas on each cam cover, the ones with 2 slightly recessed (10 mm, I think?) bolts. Pull those covers off and the COPs (Coil-On-Plug) are right underneath. Each COP has a small connector on the side that simply unplugs and the COP pulls straight up and out. The spark plugs themselves are down inside, you'll need a long extension to reach, but they're otherwise the same as you remember... :D

jimlam: Motorcraft AWSF-A32C for stock, or -A22C if you have a blower...some programmers recommend -A12Cs with their tune, some don't. The Denso Iridium plugs are only worth it if you have a tune, otherwise save your money ($12...each...)

[jabird56]

Here is a past thread regarding a new Motorcraft plug to use with our MMs.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=6948&highlight=replacement+plugs



I pulled a coil cover on my new (to me) 2004 Silver Birch Marauder this weekend to look at the coil pack connections we've been discussing.
Figured I would pull a plug; the tip looked pretty worn with 18k on the car.
So next weekend it's new plugs and connectors.
I searched for spark plug suggestions, but couldn't find anything definitive.
So my question:
What plugs are y'all running on a bone stock car? (Don't worry, the bone stock part won't last long)
Thanks, Jim

[jimlam56]

Thanks for the input on what I'm sure is a tired subject!

Jim

[Mike Poore]

Thanks for the input on what I'm sure is a tired subject!

Jim
Well, I was having fun. ;)

Thanks, Bob. I learned, later, where they had stashed the wee beauties. It's just that once I learned the secret, interest was lost.

Recalling past disasters from fixing unbroken things on Saturday afternoons, after the parts stores were closed, it was decided to leave well enough alone.

Let's see, aluminum heads/threads, deep holes, weird socket wrenches, on plug coils, with fragile wires (for ham fisted old coots with poor eyesight), cross threaded plugs .....let me count the ways. :eek:

[FordNut]

I'm using NGK TR6 plugs. With a little graphite-based anti-sieze, torqued to 10 ft-lb, gapped at .032". From Advance auto parts, about $2.00 each.

[jimlam56]

Fordnut:
Are you using these plugs on your stocker or your S/C MM?
Thanks, Jim

[Krytin]

I'm using NGK TR6 plugs. With a little graphite-based anti-sieze, torqued to 10 ft-lb, gapped at .032". From Advance auto parts, about $2.00 each.
I ran the TR6's for about 25k miles and was very happy with them. I swapped them for the new Autolite tripple Iridium plugs - same heat range as the TR6. I have about 8k miles on these and they are just as good if not better than the TR6's. The Autolites are under $4 a piece but should last longer than the copper core TR6's.

[Mike M]

They won't look angular even when new as they are platinum.

[FordNut]

Fordnut:
Are you using these plugs on your stocker or your S/C MM?
Thanks, Jim
S/C... Wife's stocker still has OEM plugs at 73k mi. They're s'posed to go 100.

[fastblackmerc]

S/C... Wife's stocker still has OEM plugs at 73k mi. They're s'posed to go 100.
I'm running the TR6's also (stock MM), have had no problems for the last 18K miles / smiles