Fram - Autolite

Francis · Jul 19, 2004

Hi all, having a look around it's easy to see that Fram gets a very bad rap for it's self.

In Australia, there marketed as being a high quality filter.

So while it's clear that in it's lad or origin, there not considered good at all, does this also reflet on it's Spark Plug company Autolite?

Are Autolite Plugs also considered poor quality next to the likes of Acdelco

[ July 20, 2004, 01:55 AM: Message edited by: Francis ]

T-Keith · Jul 19, 2004

I would choose AC spark plugs over Autolite. However that has more to do with good experience with AC than bad experiance with Autolite. Most of my bad spark plug experience has to do with Champion.

-T

brianl703 · Jul 19, 2004

Autolite makes the spark plugs for Ford, in the USA at least.

Mike242GT · Jul 19, 2004

I put some Autolite plugs in one of my Volvos once because that's what they had available at the parts store in the small town I was visiting. Never again! In descending order of preference, for my application at least, it's NGK, Bosch, AC Delco. I don't care for Champions, either.

Whimsey · Jul 20, 2004

It seems that now a days the oem plugs are designed specifically for particular engines. Where as aftermarket plugs usually are a compromise to fit several applications. A lot of times the heat range, materials and construction of the aftermarket spark plugs are slightly different and can sometimes cause running problems. This was less of a problem in older vehicles with less pollution controls. Each vehicle is different. You may have no problems but then again you may have problems. And with the effort to change spark plugs in many of today's vehicles you don't want to have to be doing the job over again because the aftermarket plugs don't run right.

Whimsey

VaderSS · Jul 20, 2004

I've been running Autolite Platinum Pros (APP) in many different cars since they introduced them. Cheaper than the ACs and seem to be a bit more durable as for not loosing their pads. They do tend to run a bit hot compared to the crossed AC, but dropping down one range sorts that out.

brianl703 · Jul 20, 2004

I've heard that it's best to put Champion plugs in Chrysler vehicles, AC plugs in GM vehicles, and Motorcraft or Autolite plugs in Ford vehicles.

This view is shared by a lot of auto mechanics around here.

T-Keith · Jul 20, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by brianl703:
I've heard that it's best to put Champion plugs in Chrysler vehicles, AC plugs in GM vehicles, and Motorcraft or Autolite plugs in Ford vehicles.

This view is shared by a lot of auto mechanics around here.

What would be the logic behind this. I know that they are the makers of the OEM equipment for these makes, but is that the only reasoning for this? What makes a Chrysler engine so different that would make a Champion plug work better when the plug doesn't work as well as other makes?

I tend to most auto mechanics' reasoning because they often come from out of date information, tradition and just plain bad reasoning.

-T

Francis · Jul 24, 2004

Where are Autolites made now?

brianl703 · Jul 25, 2004

Still made in the USA:

Bendix (Allied Signal)
UAW Local 533, Ohio

Autolite spark plugs
Motorcraft spark plugs
Mighty spark plugs
Sears spark plugs
Valley Forge spark plugs

Found that list on http://www.uaw.org/uawmade/autoparts.cfm

Jimbo · Jul 28, 2004

That UAW information is a little dated. Honeywell is now the parent company. I have had terrible luck with modern Autolite plugs. They may be made in the same factory as Motorcraft, but not to the same specifications. Autolite has not been a Ford OEM for decades now.

Brand names are very tricky in the modern business world of constant buying, selling and licensing of brands. For example, "Autolite Aviation Spark Plugs [by Unison] are manufactured under license from Honeywell International, Inc... Unison is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GE Engine Services, Inc."

Francis · Jul 29, 2004

Now being only a young fella, and in the little land of Oz, I have often wondered what happen to make Champion's not the big name in plugs anymore.

In looking at old racing pictures and so on, there wasn't a car that didn't have a Champion sticker on the side.

Well it seems that they were the classic hot roders plug, but now no one uses them, what happened???

brianl703 · Jul 29, 2004

There were Champion batteries, I've only ever seen them for sale at Montgomery Wards and we all know what happened to them...

Motorbike · Jul 29, 2004

Autolite plugs are the ONLY plugs I personnaly trust in boosted engines from 17-25lbs . Usually if they frag it was the tuner's fault .

I choose to run the plain old Autolite's and NGK " R " in the drivers as well FWIW .

Jimbo · Jul 30, 2004

Champion is another "brand" that is not a "company" anymore. The trademark looks the same, but each product line is from a different manufacturer.

Automotive spark plugs by Dana, used to be Cooper
Batteries by Johnson Controls
Aircraft spark plugs and oil filters from someone else

It is all part of the modern global economy.

Westinghouse
Magnavox
BF Goodrich
Goodyear
GE

All of the above brands are now used by more than one company depending upon product line.

Francis · Jul 30, 2004

Just out of interest, does anyone know where Champion are made now?

Also do they still make there Gold Series, and does anyone have any thoughts on them?

motorguy222 · Jul 31, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo:
That UAW information is a little dated. Honeywell is now the parent company.

This is wrong.I too thought that Honeywell owned Allied-Signal(Fram).Actually,Allied-Signal bought out Honeywell and is using the Honeywell name as the company name.Maybe they are doing this because of the bad name they seem to have.
You can do a google search for Allied-Signal buys Honeywell,or something similar and find links saying that A-S is the owner of Honeywell.

Jimbo · Aug 2, 2004

Who bought who is something often debated in mergers. Honeywell is the name on the door.

I work for Boeing. Former McDonnell Douglas executives may be "in charge", but the name at the top of my paycheck is Boeing.

Jimbo · Aug 2, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Francis:
Just out of interest, does anyone know where Champion are made now?

In the US, Champion spark plugs are manufactured in Burlingtion, Iowa by Federal-Mogul Corporation.

They do have a plant in Sydney for the manufacture of "Champion" and "Top Gun" ignition cables.

motorguy222 · Aug 3, 2004

Allied-Signal DOES own Honeywell.The following quote is from the link provided.The entire article can also be read it this link.

Minneapolis-St.Paul
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL
http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2003/01/27/daily48.html

Quote:
"Honeywell, which moved from Minneapolis to Morris Township, N.J. after it was acquired by Allied Signal Corp. in mid-1999 (after which Allied Signal adopted the Honeywell name), reported its net sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31 were flat at $5.9 billion."

Fram - Autolite

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