96 4.0 OHV Plugs and Wires

[4.0blue98]

I'll try to get some pics of the plugs I remove. I think even Plats should be changed every 60-70k. I've been tempeted to try other types like Iridium but always like to use a stock type. I have a Sienna we bought brand new in 08. It's got Iridium plugs and the OEs were changed at 125k. The things got 276k on it now and idles and accelerates as smooth as silk. Who knows...

 

[RonD]

I think the last ones I got were Motorcraft AWSF42CA

Getting harder to find non-coated spark plugs

If they were harder to change I would use coated plugs

 

[4.0blue98]

This is from the engine section of this site.

1990-1996 uses SP486 (Platinum) (old part number is AWSF42P)

BTW I got conflicting info on the SP500s that I have. I believe they are actually single plats like the SP486s listed above.

 

[RonD]

Double usually have PP in the number
Single just P
Copper just C

 

[4.0blue98]

Did the change today. Pics in the WDYDTYRT thread.

 

[Josh B]

I replaced the plugs earlier but not the wires, was running out of time and wasn't sure I could get those rerouted before it got too late, and here's what I found.
There were Autolites in it, simply marked 605

Left bank back to front

Right bank back to front

 

[RonD]

Top pic, "drivers side" center(#5?) looks to be running Rich

And maybe #1, lower pic far right, hard to see center ceramic

But over all they look fine, I would just clean, file and re-gap them

 

[Josh B]

I may well just do that then Ron. It wasn't running bad at all, I just wasn't sure what they had in it and wanted to do some preventative upkeep.
It'll be awhile before I'll be driving the Ranger and I had just recently installed new O2 sensors in it, so I'll swap the new ones over to the Explorosaurus also. (hoping 93 and 96es match)
Over-all it seems to have been a fairly well maintained vehicle in most areas, likely though by quick-lubes and misc shops/mechanics

 

[Dirtman]

If it's a ford, it gets autolite iridium's and you probably wont need to change them again before you die.

 

[adsm08]

Double usually have PP in the number
Single just P
Copper just C

Letters in more generic Ford part numbers are usually the initials of what the part is.

FG = Filter, gasoline
FD = Filter, Diesel
FL = Filter, Lubricant
SP = Spark plug.


Either way, the SP500 is a nickel coated plug. Somewhere in the last 10 years or so some engineer figured out you can get similar results to a platinum, or double platinum, with nickel, and it costs a lot less to make.

 

[Josh B]

What about these saying simply Autolite 605, no suffix at all? They look almost like a 1960s plug

 

[Dirtman]

They are basic copper plugs. Autolites use P (platinum) PP (double platinum) XP (iridium & platinum) and ASP or no prefix for copper.

 

[4.0blue98]

Autolite 605 Autolite Copper Core Spark Plugs | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Autolite Copper Core Spark Plugs with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Spark Plugs at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[Josh B]

Thanks to all of you guys, I'll definitely clean and save these

 

[Dirtman]

Don't forget to put your tools away!