96 4.0 OHV Plugs and Wires

[Josh B]

I've actually searched for this(simple for many of you) answer well over an hour and came up empty, including one through the 4.0 forums until realizing it was already back to 2012, and still no clue.

I went in Autozone earlier to get plugs and wires. On the wires, the lady helping me(after her little girl didn't know what a spark plug was haha ) mentioned their popular set ($26) and I said Motorcraft, got them on the way for $64. During some of my reads earlier I saw someone mentioning most any good wire would suffice.
Any thoughts on that?

On the plugs she said their book calls for double platinum but didn't have them in Motorcraft so I said Bosch should do, and got a set of those, the only number I can find on them is on the 4 pack box end of 8108.
I'm waiting on a Ford shop manual DVD and only have now the owners manual which calls for AWSF-42PP
Any advice/suggestions on this would also be very helpful

 

[Uncle Gump]

Do yourself a favor and take the Bosch plugs back. If they can't get Motorcraft… get Autolite. This is coming from a VW guy that considers Bosch parts... the good stuff.

I've just never had any luck with Bosch plugs in anything but a VW.

EDIT... if they can't Autolite... just go somewhere else

 

[Josh B]

Actually I think they did have single platinum Motorcraft, thanks for prodding my memory on that. My 93 calls for single, will the 96 call for double?

 

[4.0blue98]

I've got Bosch double plats in mine. I think they were 8113 but not positive. They replaced the OE plugs about 120k ago. They seem fine to me. I usually prefer Autolight, NGK and Champion though. Guess the Bosch were on sale when I bought them. I do have a set of MC SP-500s on the shelf for the next change. I should probably replace my wires soon, they're original too.

 

[Josh B]

Have you used the same set for 120K?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'll stick with my recommendation... Take the Bosch plugs back. Buy a set of Motorcraft or Autolite plugs.

 

[Josh B]

What about the single platinum or double?

 

[RonD]

Only use regular copper or double platinum with a Coil Pack system, a Waste Spark system

Two spark plugs are wired in series with a coil pack, so one spark plug sparks "normal", center to tip, but the other spark plug sparks in "reverse", tip to center

So with single platinum(or any other coating) one spark plug will wear the same as regular copper
A waste of money for 3 spark plugs on a V6

Ford actually installed platinum tips on one bank and platinum centers on the other bank
Which is why you will see 2 spark plug numbers for same engine/year, one is coated tip the other coated center
When installing THOUSANDS of spark plugs this is way cheaper than double platinum

For just 6 spark plugs........... its up to you

 

[Josh B]

does Ford make a double platinum?

 

[RonD]

Not sure if they do any more?

I use regular copper
But I clean, file and regap my plugs at least once before replacing
The filing would negate any coating benefit

 

[Josh B]

Would you mind sharing their number? hehe

 

[4.0blue98]

Have you used the same set for 120K?

Sorry for the lack of reply. Long day and no access at work.

Yes (he says sheepishly) Still idles dead quiet. Filled up on the way home and getting 18mpg 70/30 city/highway.

I have absolutely no preference for Bosch. Pretty sure they were just on sale. I put them in with around 70k. I do rather NGK, Denso, and autolight have always been good.

What about the single platinum or double?

The Motorcraft SP-500 are a double plat.

 

[4.0blue98]

I'm going to install the SP-500s this weekend. I've been plug shamed...

I did pull one of the Bosch out about a year ago to see what they looked like and they looked great and the gap was fine. I did buy the SP-500 about three years ago but I maintain 5 other vehicles and my truck always gets attention last.

 

[Josh B]

Thanks a lot yall for your information and insight, I did learn a good bit from it, but here's what I wound up with.

I didn't any real desire to just send the plug wires back and find a better price on Amazon so decided to just keep them BUT walking out the door noticed the box had been opened and taped back together so I carried it back to the counter and said I'd like to check the contents and as I was cutting the tape asked if there was boot grease with it. Inside I found 7 wires, one for a single coil, which I'd never seen in a set for this engine before. Looking closer none of them said motorcraft, I can't even remember the name on it. We decided it was not the proper set so I asked to tell me again about their store brand because I'm hoping to change them tomorrow.
Well, I got $37 and some change back on that along with a set of Duralast wires. I looked at them and also realized the first set hadn't even had the coil end latches on them.

For the plugs I swapped the Bosch straight across for a set of the Autolite APP605 double platinum

 

[Josh B]

Still idles dead quiet.

The Motorcraft SP-500 are a double plat.

I've read the best way to set these plugs is to the narrow side because after 60-80,000 miles normal use will bring it towards the wider gap but still be in normal range

Wish I had known about the MC numbers though because I did asked if he had MC double for that engine and he said no