best cheap spark plugs for a 94 3.0

bizarro302 · Jan 17, 2015

What are the best basic copper core cheapo plugs for the 3.0? I'm not a believer in platinum tips and most what I consider gimmick plugs. I could be wrong but it's a daily driver anyway. Not like I'm racing it.

Anhy opinons on whether the autolite, NGK, or Bosch work best with our 3.0s? I'm looking at sub $3 a piece plugs here. Not interested in discussing the benefits of V3s or anything like that.

Rearanger · Jan 17, 2015

bizarro302 said:
I'm looking at sub $3 a piece plugs here.

Then use that as your buying decision.

kimcrwbr1 · Jan 17, 2015

Autolite single platinum or motorcraft stock plugs. The pennies your saving on plugs add up to 100s of dollars in fuel economy and wear on the motor. Replace the PCV when you change plugs. The PCV is the cheapest part and the most neglected. It is only a daily driver may as well take care of it. If you add up the amount of fuel you use in a year the cost of proper PM is a drop in the bucket.

Rearanger · Jan 17, 2015

kimcrwbr1 said:
The pennies your saving on plugs add up to 100s of dollars in fuel economy and wear on the motor.

How?

kimcrwbr1 · Jan 17, 2015

AP-104
http://www.autozone.com/routine-maintenance/spark-plug/autolite-platinum-spark-plug/ford/ranger-2wd/2003/6-cylinders-u-3-0l-mfi/509375_0_0/
These plugs will probably work well.
http://www.autozone.com/routine-maintenance/spark-plug/autolite-copper-spark-plug/ford/ranger-2wd/2003/6-cylinders-u-3-0l-mfi/37978_0_0/
If your going copper stick with the autolites and see how well they do. After a couple hundred miles pull a plug and the porcelan insulator should be a nice toasty brown. If the insulator is still white your running too hot and can cook the pistons and valves?

kimcrwbr1 · Jan 17, 2015

http://www.autozone.com/routine-maintenance/spark-plug/motorcraft-dbl-plat-spark-plug/ford/ranger-2wd/2003/6-cylinders-u-3-0l-mfi/84914_0_13123/
My question is if you dont use the motorcraft plugs how is the how is the 20 bucks your saving gonna make your life better. As to your question how look up how heat range on the plugs affect engine performance.

bizarro302 · Jan 17, 2015

kimcrwbr1 said:
Autolite single platinum or motorcraft stock plugs. The pennies your saving on plugs add up to 100s of dollars in fuel economy and wear on the motor. Replace the PCV when you change plugs. The PCV is the cheapest part and the most neglected. It is only a daily driver may as well take care of it. If you add up the amount of fuel you use in a year the cost of proper PM is a drop in the bucket.

I already ordered the pcv it was 2 bucks. Do platinum tips really save on gas? I think they had some NGK platinums for $2.49 each. I'm just iffy about them because I had a quad run horrible after going platinum tip years ago. I've had good luck with autolites in the many 5.0 Ford's I've had in the past, but this is my first 3.0.

I paid $200 for this truck so I'm trying to keep it as cheap as possible while still maintaining it responsibly.

I'm changing every fluid in it, air filter, pcv, fuel filter, etc.

kimcrwbr1 · Jan 17, 2015

I allways use autolite single platinum in my vehicles. The platinum on the tips reduce erosion to the tips over the life of the plugs. I do plugs and PCV once a year if it needs it or not right when it starts getting cold. NGK suck in my opinion. The motorcraft double platinum are the OEM plugs.

Rearanger · Jan 17, 2015

kimcrwbr1 said:
As to your question how look up how heat range on the plugs affect engine performance.

Does heat ignite fuel or does spark?

kimcrwbr1 · Jan 17, 2015

Actually I cannot remember if I ever had a autolite plug foul. Champion is another story they seem to foul out before most other plugs never wasted money on the V3s

kimcrwbr1 · Jan 17, 2015

I still really dont understand the effect on the burn but yes spark ignites the fuel. I just go by the color of the plugs. You dont want them to be white, my 83 plugs come out a little dark but the motor is over 300,000 and starts with a flick of the key.

Rearanger · Jan 17, 2015

kimcrwbr1 said:
I still really dont understand the effect on the burn

http://www.ngk.com.au/spark-plugs/technical-information/heat-range-explanation

Proper heat range for all plugs, no matter the tip construction, is important.

bizarro302 · Jan 18, 2015

I ended up ordering the autolite single platinums as they were only .40 cents more a piece. Seemed like a good compromise between quality and cost.

I have also had poor results from ngk. I had an 87 honda 250r quad that would barely run with one. Put the 10+ yr old champion back in and it ran mint. Double checked the gap. Was weird all my ATV buddies swore by NGK.

Going to install them tomorrow afternoon. Runs fine now but I just bought the truck who knows what's in it or howblong they've been there.

kimcrwbr1 · Jan 18, 2015

I allways do the same thing with a new to me vehicle the spark plug wires and tune up is usually the first thing.

bizarro302 · Jan 18, 2015

kimcrwbr1 said:
I allways do the same thing with a new to me vehicle the spark plug wires and tune up is usually the first thing.

Yeah no matter how well someone says they maintained it you just never know. Better safe than sorry as most of these kinda items are cheap and easy. Unless you're getting into timing belts. Those are always my biggest scare

best cheap spark plugs for a 94 3.0

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