Told ya..................never will be a consensus on any spark plug for any engine....................ever
So first, let me say thanks to all who responded, especially RonD.
I have looked at a lot (a lot) of threads that have posts dated over many years, and they have been on a handful of different forums, and I have seen RonD's name popup responding to spark plug threads that start out just like mine.
So thank you very much for taking the time to reply to everyone, share the waste spark system info, and try to be helpful.
And I know that there will always be a difference of opinion on spark plugs when there are so many choices.
But I guess what I was frustrated with was that I could not find consistent responses to the same question. Some things were consistent, like the recommendation for
Motorcraft or
Autolite spark plugs. That
consistently came up in responses. And the recommendation
usually for the
double platinum version due to the Waste Spark design.
So now I got it down to two brands...Ok... now which model?
So I jump on Rockauto, Autozone, Advance, etc and I get, not only different part numbers for either given brand, but then there are different recommendations for each variant of the vehicle and the sites are not always consistent on how they separate which parts go to what.
So I put in my variant, 2003 Mazda B3000 and I get
X results.
Then I cross check (just to make sure) and put in the 2003 Ford Ranger, but i get
Y results. WTF?!? I thought they were supposed to be the same?!? And then the Ranger has some Flex Fuel (small note below part) recommended parts that don't show up on the B3000 tab. Whyyy... lol
So if I had just gone through and acted like the Mazda B3000 is truly its own vehicle and not a Ranger clone, I would have never seen these other parts, but that's where I started searching threads.
I suppose I would have liked to have stumbled across a chart that broke it down.
Example: ( NOTE:
THIS IS COMPLETELY WRONG AND MADE UP!!! IT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE and I don't know the different generations so please forgive the years used...)
| Recommended Spark Plugs | 1996-1999 Ford Ranger 3.0/ Mazda B3000 Non-Flex Fuel | 1996-1999 Ford Ranger 3.0/ Mazda B3000 Flex Fuel | 2000-2003 Ford Ranger 3.0/ Mazda B3000 Non-Flex Fuel | 2000-2003 Ford Ranger 3.0/ Mazda B3000 Flex Fuel |
| Motorcraft* | SP-432 | SP-495 | SP-500 | SP-495 |
| Autolite* | APP103 or XP103 | APP103 or XP103 | APP104 or XP104 | APP103 or XP103 |
| *these have had mostly consistent results by our members. try all others at your own risk* | | | | |
...But no such chart was found. (It would be nice if this forum had a stickied thread
"Looking for Spark Plugs??? START HERE")
My previous vehicle did not have that many different versions, so if I looked up spark plugs, for example, it wasn't too many searches and threads read before I could find the exact same 2 or 3 recommendations come up over and over again. So this is all just different for me, I suppose.
At least I have made up my mind to try the Autolites. There is still some confusion for me around the Motorcraft as to whether are not they are double platinum or not or platinum tipped ends/centers etc. Where as the Autolites are very clearly advertised as double platinum.
As far as the 103's vs the 104's, I can only assume that there was some change made in the engine by 2003 that caused them to start recommending the hotter 104's but at least it is consistent on their website along with all part sites mentioned above for my year, whether Ford or Mazda is picked, Flex Fuel or Non-Flex Fuel. That is really the only logic I can provide with my choice. I would have liked to pick a Motorcraft but perhaps next time.
Anyways, thanks again to everyone for their responses. I have already gained so much from this forum. Thanks for having a resource like this out there for guys like me.
I will have similar questions for all other parts I'm planning to replace as well. Not sure if I should start another thread, so I'll put it here just in case.
Brand/Part #'s for:
Spark Plug Wires - I've seen Motorcraft or Autolite recommended but neither of those is under Mazda tab on RockAuto
Valve Cover Gaskets - Mahle? Fel-Pro? Other? w/ or w/o grommets? - Both covers seem to be leaking
Camshaft Synchronizer - Cardone? Standard Motor Products? Other? w/ or w/o step-on plug? - I have the chirping coming from the back of the engine.
and I'm sure more later, but those are the big ones for now
Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register
for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts. 
