mrstix
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2020
- Messages
- 17
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 3
- Location
- San Antonio, Texas
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Make / Model
- Mazda B3000
- Engine Type
- 3.0 V6
- Engine Size
- Flex Fuel
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
Hello all,
Just a brief intro: I just purchased a 2003 Mazda B3000 Flex Fuel for trips to Home Depot and it will be my son's first vehicle. I am attempting to do some maintenance on the vehicle to get it running as smooth as I can. I have some technical background as I have been doing basic appliance repair for the last 2 years, but I have not done much mechanical work on vehicles.
Okay, so the issue is that I am going mad trying to figure out the right spark plugs for my truck.
I have been reading thread after thread and have only concluded that I should use Motorcraft or Autolite.
I also read that most recommend double plat because of the sparking order, or possibly fine wire plat. Don't know if it matters.
BUT, where I am struggling is which part number for either brand??
EVERY site I go to offers at least 2-3 options in those brands. Rockauto for instance recommends the Motorcraft SP-439A under the Mazda B3000 tabs. But when I switch to the Ford Ranger 3.0 tab they have the SP-432 OR the SP-500, mentioning that the sp-500 is for Flex fuel. Then why isn't it under the B3000 tab?!? Also, both Motorcraft plugs are under the Single Platinum tab, but on Advance auto parts site, the description mentions double Platinum and on other sites it doesn't..
(Edit: Don't know if it matters but I don't ever plan on using Flex Fuel. I have no plans to use anything other than 87 unleaded. )
They also have the Autolite APP104 mentioned under Mazda and Ford variants, but neither mention Flex Fuel.
AND once I think I decided on one, I read a thread that mentions a different spark plug part number..or I read another thread that says to make sure the temperature range is accurate or it will run like crap (I read a thread by Bob Ayers mentioning this).
Also, most of the definitive threads that actually mention part numbers are from 2011 or later and they no longer exist. The original part numbers seem to have been replaced for the most part but then the true replacement is lost in translation or something or they recommended a different heat range, or...
Ugh.. it's driving me bonkers.
Thanks to TRS as I have already received a wealth of knowledge just reading through different threads, but I had to make an account so I could get a definitive answer on this.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Just a brief intro: I just purchased a 2003 Mazda B3000 Flex Fuel for trips to Home Depot and it will be my son's first vehicle. I am attempting to do some maintenance on the vehicle to get it running as smooth as I can. I have some technical background as I have been doing basic appliance repair for the last 2 years, but I have not done much mechanical work on vehicles.
Okay, so the issue is that I am going mad trying to figure out the right spark plugs for my truck.
I have been reading thread after thread and have only concluded that I should use Motorcraft or Autolite.
I also read that most recommend double plat because of the sparking order, or possibly fine wire plat. Don't know if it matters.
BUT, where I am struggling is which part number for either brand??
EVERY site I go to offers at least 2-3 options in those brands. Rockauto for instance recommends the Motorcraft SP-439A under the Mazda B3000 tabs. But when I switch to the Ford Ranger 3.0 tab they have the SP-432 OR the SP-500, mentioning that the sp-500 is for Flex fuel. Then why isn't it under the B3000 tab?!? Also, both Motorcraft plugs are under the Single Platinum tab, but on Advance auto parts site, the description mentions double Platinum and on other sites it doesn't..
(Edit: Don't know if it matters but I don't ever plan on using Flex Fuel. I have no plans to use anything other than 87 unleaded. )
They also have the Autolite APP104 mentioned under Mazda and Ford variants, but neither mention Flex Fuel.
AND once I think I decided on one, I read a thread that mentions a different spark plug part number..or I read another thread that says to make sure the temperature range is accurate or it will run like crap (I read a thread by Bob Ayers mentioning this).
Also, most of the definitive threads that actually mention part numbers are from 2011 or later and they no longer exist. The original part numbers seem to have been replaced for the most part but then the true replacement is lost in translation or something or they recommended a different heat range, or...
Ugh.. it's driving me bonkers.
Thanks to TRS as I have already received a wealth of knowledge just reading through different threads, but I had to make an account so I could get a definitive answer on this.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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