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Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

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Gary Lewis

Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

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I'm running into a bit of a problem finding the right spark plugs for Big Blue. IIRC Bill and/or Jim said Motorcraft ASF42C's, but I'm not finding them at a reasonable price. For instance, O'Reilly's wants $6.69 each for them. And Rock Auto wants $3.35 each for them. But other copper plugs sell for ~$1.00.

DeWayne/93F3507.3 at Skiatook Auto Parts can't even get them. In fact his listings don't even show those plugs for the EFI'd 460. Nor do Rock Auto. DeWayne and Rock Auto show platinum plugs are preferred, but in either copper or platinum they show using a 25 heat range in the Autolite - and I'm running 24's which are hotter.

Thoughts? What am I missing?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Nothing Special

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

I can't tell you what you're missing, but I seem to recall many comments on FTE that platinum plugs are NOT preferred for this vintage of Ford engines. That conflicts with what you are finding, and I don't know what to do with that.

Bob
Sorry, no '80 - '86 Ford trucks
"Oswald": 1997 F-250HD crew cab short box, 460, E4OD, 4.10 gears
"Pluto": 1971 Bronco, 302, NV3550 5 speed, Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case, 33" tires
"the motorhome": 2015 E-450-based 28' class C motorhome, 6.8L V-10
"the Dodge": 2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7L Cummins

Gary Lewis

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

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Yes, that's my memory as well. In fact, I think Bill was emphatic about that.

I am very

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

grumpin

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Have you tried NGK copper spark plugs?

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

Gary Lewis

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

I haven't, Dane. Rock Auto shows the NGK 6630 V-Power, AUTOLITE 25, CHAMPION 18, ACDELCO CR43TS, and DENSO 5025 as being the correct heat copper plugs.

Have you run the NGK's?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

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In reply to this post by Nothing Special

The parts stores want to sell the most expensive parts they can.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Gary Lewis

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

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85lebaront2 wrote

The parts stores want to sell the most expensive parts they can.

That's a cop out. Where's the discussion of what plugs I should use? Or what plugs to stay away from?

Seriously, Bill. You are the guru. What should I be using?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

I use Motorcraft ASF42C plugs in Darth. I have in the past had decent results with NGK and even Holley plugs in my GT350. The Chrysler gets Champion RN12YC

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

viven44

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

This post was updated on .

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Why don't you "project farm" it ? Maybe some A/F ratio vs miles/hrs (maybe some 0-60s even

) comparing the copper and platinum plugs. I have always used the Motorcraft SP502 platinum ones on all small block/big blocks, put over 15000 miles on a 302 bronco and the plugs still looked new... didn't know until today that copper may have potential advantages.

Vivek

- 'Big Blue 2WD' - 1984 F350 RWD 460/C6
- 1978 Bronco with the heart of a 1986 F250 Bullnose - under restoration
- "Bonded Bronco" -1985 Bronco - 302 4-speed fuel injected, Hibernating future project

grumpin

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

I haven't, Dane. Rock Auto shows the NGK 6630 V-Power, AUTOLITE 25, CHAMPION 18, ACDELCO CR43TS, and DENSO 5025 as being the correct heat copper plugs.

Have you run the NGK's?

I have. I like them. Always had good luck with NGK. They are all I'll run in small engines and especially older two stroke motorcycles.

I used to own Husky dirt bikes.

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

NGK V-power all the way, every day.

That number supercedes their old nomenclature UR-4, and works great in my truck.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

Ok, I asked DeWayne to order the NGK 6630 V-Power plugs. He was busy so I don't know when they'll come in, but he'll get them and I'll put them in before the trip.

Thanks, guys.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ifitaintbroke

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I'd have to agree that the efi engines still would have had copper from the factory. IIRC, it was a few years later that Ford went to platinum plugs, and I'm pretty sure that was when they also switched to the Triton boat anchors. (That is probably the worst vehicle transition ever. The obs Fords【with good, reliable engines】to the ugly roundbody junkhunks, with some of the trashiest engines ever made.)

Bradley
86 f250 supercab longbed, 4x4, 460 bored to 472 cubes, ported heads, ARP rod bolts, EFI pistons, 5.08/5.41 lift 114° lobe separation flat tappet cam, notched lifters, Smith Brothers pushrods, stock rockers, Eddy Performer intake, Holley 1850 or 3310 depending on mood, custom curved points dizzy, MSD analog 6al triggered by Pertronix module, zf5 swap, 3g alternator, custom instrument cluster, dual tanks with 38 Gal rear for 57 Gal of fuel capacity, far too much more to mention.

98 Ranger standard cab, rwd, 5-speed, 2.5L, glass pack muffler, dual plugs wired to fire at the same time, coming up on 300,000 miles before too long.

Averaging 26-27 mpg.

South Georgia.

Ifitaintbroke

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

In reply to this post by 85lebaront2

That is absolutely n̶o̶t̶ true.

viven44

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

My local autoparts folks are not very savvy with older truck needs. Their specialty is definitely emissions parts for vehicles from the modern era

Gary Lewis

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

My parts man, DeWayne/93F3507.3 at Skiatook Auto Parts, is a member on here. Rarely, if ever, on but knows his Fords. Was telling me yesterday about the 70's F250 w/a 3.0 axle and a 460 he'd built. Even with the tall gears he surprised lots of people with an old truck.

Called him today and he was busy, so I said "I want the NGK copper plugs and I think they are the 6630 V-Power ones but you might check when you get the time, and then order them, please." No mention of price but just "order them, please". He'll call me tomorrow and tell me when they are in.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

It's not an unusual plug (today, maybe, with all the iridium quad ground $25 sparkplugs being sold)

Amazon usually has them Prime.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

Yes, Amazon has them for $36.88 for 8 and says they fit Big Blue. But I started the conversation with DeWayne and I'll give him my business 'cause I know him.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

Oh, absolutely!
I'm just saying that if they're unavailable through the usual sources you have a fallback.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Spark Plugs For Big Blue?

Administrator

If DeWayne can't get them I'll call up John at Bumper To Bumper. Both of them contributed neat gifts for the show last year. As did O'Reilly's, come to think of it. So I'll give them all the business I can

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile