I've had more than one person tell me to use the same Motorcraft platnum plugs that were OEM, is there any thing special about Motorcraft OEM plugs or can use any platnum plug with no ill effects? I have some autolite platnum plugs and would prefer to use them rather than buy different ones.
1997 Mustang, which plugs?
- Thread starter Buick92
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What motor?
With the ford modulars they run best with a motorcraft plug.
I usually use a copper motorcraft, you can use a platnium if you don't want to change them as much.
With the ford modulars they run best with a motorcraft plug.
I usually use a copper motorcraft, you can use a platnium if you don't want to change them as much.
I would use the exact kind that were in from the factory.This practice will avoid any problems with low performing products. Bosch platinum plugs as an example.
It's a 4.6, the dealer wants $10 a plug which is crazy to me. From what I understand the stock plugs were motorcraft platnum plugs, nothing special beyond that, as long as they are replaced with platnum plugs I can't see the difference. If it had come with Iridium plugs than that would be a different story.
Not sure why but they seem to work best. Nothing special I know of either just High quality and you pay for it once not twice.
The Motorcraft website calls their platnum plugs that came on this application "platnum fine wire", what do they mean by "fine wire"?
its just what they call them. run the motorcrafts. you can get them at autozone for less if you dont want to go to the dealer. just make sure they are the updated plugs with the full length threads.
Originally Posted By: Buick92
The Motorcraft website calls their platnum plugs that came on this application "platnum fine wire", what do they mean by "fine wire"?
Fine wire means small diameter center electrode. Platinum plugs are probably good for 50,000 miles, and double platinum (both electrodes platinum) 100,000 or better. I changed the plugs in my wifes Regal at 110,000 and pretty much wasted my money. There was no change in economy, or performance. The plugs only opened up 2 mils (two thousandths). I ran a 94 T-Bird with the 4.6. I changed the plugs at 50,000. There was no improvement. If you are happy with the oem plugs, stick with them. You can spend a lot of money looking for the "holy grail" of plugs. Some will perform worse, some the same , and probably darn few any better. It's your money!
The Motorcraft website calls their platnum plugs that came on this application "platnum fine wire", what do they mean by "fine wire"?
Fine wire means small diameter center electrode. Platinum plugs are probably good for 50,000 miles, and double platinum (both electrodes platinum) 100,000 or better. I changed the plugs in my wifes Regal at 110,000 and pretty much wasted my money. There was no change in economy, or performance. The plugs only opened up 2 mils (two thousandths). I ran a 94 T-Bird with the 4.6. I changed the plugs at 50,000. There was no improvement. If you are happy with the oem plugs, stick with them. You can spend a lot of money looking for the "holy grail" of plugs. Some will perform worse, some the same , and probably darn few any better. It's your money!
Autolite plugs work well in Ford applications. I think Motorcraft plugs are made by Autolite.
I looked up 1997 Ford Mustang GT (4.6L) on Rockauto's website.
They list Motorcraft AGSF32FMF6 for your car.
They are $3.21 each.
They list 0.054 gap, but look at the sticker on the underside of your hood to verify.
It looks like the FM suffex indicates "Fine Wire"
They do not appear to be the Double Platinumn plugs that I use......
A Motorcraft Double Platinumn plug should have a "EE" in the suffix (after the numbers....like xxx32EE).
They also have the AutoLite # XP104 "Extreme Performance for $4.31 Each
I have AutoLite Double Platinumn plugs in my windstar, which calls for Double Platinumn....and they are doing just fine.
RockAuto does list a Double Platinumn plug for your application, but it does not look like that was what it came with from the factory.
I am NOT familiar with the AutoLite Extreme performance line.....but I would feel safe with Motorcraft or Autolite in your application.
I prefer to stick with as close to what the OEM that came with the vehicle as possible.
If you look up your vehicle on RockAuto's website....you will find quite a list of different manufactures for your application.
They list Motorcraft AGSF32FMF6 for your car.
They are $3.21 each.
They list 0.054 gap, but look at the sticker on the underside of your hood to verify.
It looks like the FM suffex indicates "Fine Wire"
They do not appear to be the Double Platinumn plugs that I use......
A Motorcraft Double Platinumn plug should have a "EE" in the suffix (after the numbers....like xxx32EE).
They also have the AutoLite # XP104 "Extreme Performance for $4.31 Each
I have AutoLite Double Platinumn plugs in my windstar, which calls for Double Platinumn....and they are doing just fine.
RockAuto does list a Double Platinumn plug for your application, but it does not look like that was what it came with from the factory.
I am NOT familiar with the AutoLite Extreme performance line.....but I would feel safe with Motorcraft or Autolite in your application.
I prefer to stick with as close to what the OEM that came with the vehicle as possible.
If you look up your vehicle on RockAuto's website....you will find quite a list of different manufactures for your application.
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If the Motorcraft plugs work fine, then why switch? How often do you change plugs anyway?
Last time I used Autolite plugs, I picked up a whine with my XM radio, which I bought a filter to remove. Next plug change, I went back to NGK's, and the whine went away.
I learned my lesson.
Last time I used Autolite plugs, I picked up a whine with my XM radio, which I bought a filter to remove. Next plug change, I went back to NGK's, and the whine went away.
I learned my lesson.
You have a waste spark ignition - 2 plugs fire at the same time.
1 neg to pos, and the other pos to neg.
Factory plugs only had platinum on the center electrode for 1/2 the plugs, and double plats on the remainder.
Replacement plugs should have double platinum tipped electrodes [center and side electrodes].
Motorcraft are very good, but the dealer is a total rip on pricing. Try an auto parts store,and order them if you have to.
Autolite replacements are decent.
Stay away from Bosch plugs, but their other components are good.
1 neg to pos, and the other pos to neg.
Factory plugs only had platinum on the center electrode for 1/2 the plugs, and double plats on the remainder.
Replacement plugs should have double platinum tipped electrodes [center and side electrodes].
Motorcraft are very good, but the dealer is a total rip on pricing. Try an auto parts store,and order them if you have to.
Autolite replacements are decent.
Stay away from Bosch plugs, but their other components are good.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
You have a waste spark ignition - 2 plugs fire at the same time.
1 neg to pos, and the other pos to neg.
Factory plugs only had platinum on the center electrode for 1/2 the plugs, and double plats on the remainder.
Replacement plugs should have double platinum tipped electrodes [center and side electrodes].
Motorcraft are very good, but the dealer is a total rip on pricing. Try an auto parts store,and order them if you have to.
Autolite replacements are decent.
Stay away from Bosch plugs, but their other components are good.
Just want to quote that for the truth.
Use the correct Motorcraft plugs. Many of the P03xx codes I had to fix could be attributed to aftermarket plugs.
You have a waste spark ignition - 2 plugs fire at the same time.
1 neg to pos, and the other pos to neg.
Factory plugs only had platinum on the center electrode for 1/2 the plugs, and double plats on the remainder.
Replacement plugs should have double platinum tipped electrodes [center and side electrodes].
Motorcraft are very good, but the dealer is a total rip on pricing. Try an auto parts store,and order them if you have to.
Autolite replacements are decent.
Stay away from Bosch plugs, but their other components are good.
Just want to quote that for the truth.
Use the correct Motorcraft plugs. Many of the P03xx codes I had to fix could be attributed to aftermarket plugs.
just be aware that rock auto lists the old part number system. ford dropped that system for a much simpler one.
Does Autolite make the motorcraft spark plugs? I appreciate the help.
they do, however im not sure if they have changed to the updated motorcraft design that has the full length threads.
I had a '98 GT. Folks on the Mustang boards swear by Autolite copper plugs. My own experience was,... indifferent. If your wires are old, replace them as well.
Autolite and Motorcraft are different [2008]Which part of China do you want your plugs from?
Copper in a spark plug is not for conductivity, as there is also a resistor. It is used for heat transfer.
Copper in a spark plug is not for conductivity, as there is also a resistor. It is used for heat transfer.
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