Technical SPARK PLUGS - REVISITED

Depends on what they're going in, for my OT late model 5.4's, I buy the best Motorcraft plug they sell because they are such a bitch to change! Not a job I want to do but every few years! For my older 302 Ford's and my one 350 Chevy, I usually buy copper plugs, they seem to last as well as anything, Motorcraft for the Ford, AC for the Chev.

 

It is not just the old cars. My daily OT ski hauler Subie uses an oddball wiper mount that at one time was OEM only. Wipers are so simple I didn't even bother to look it up online before trying a new Autozone on my way home. Besides, all the wiper replacements have like 4 diffferent mounts in the package right? I gave them TWO tries before getting a refund and looking them up myself online. Even called my brother with the same car. The EXACT brand he bought did not have the end when I bought them. Next day I hit the OReillys close to work KNOWING exactly what I needed. Guy at the desk helped well but I even had to walk him through what we were looking for and made sure he knew anyone after me with one of these cars would have an oddball mount. To his credit he blamed GM since they were the instigators of these different mounting systems.

 

When I was at the college, we had a trainer, I think it was a Ford Focus, that used different plugs for the middle 2 cylinders than it did for numbers 1 and 4. Ran like crap if you crossed them up.
As much as computers aren't my friend, if it was still all books, do you think they would have space to keep their inventory? Or what would be the cut off year? When they make that sale, the computer is also ordering replacement inventory.
We have to remember that the parts houses have had to design a system that the available help can operate. (Like the Army, "A system designed by geniuses for idiots to operate.") As several have suggested we need to do our due diligence because of the limitations of the available system and the help. We have to give up the, "If I know it, why the hell doesn't everyone else," attitude and help the youngsters learn. In 20 years some small percentage (probably very small) will be the old guys.

 

I always look up the part numbers and make a list. I even did that for the oil changes I just did on everything. Wrote down some acceptable substitutes in case they didn’t have my first choice. It just makes the AP store visit less complicated. I stick to the AC for GM and Autolite for Ford plan too.
Driving one of the hot rods to the auto parts store used to be fun and usually a conversation starter with the parts guys but not any more. I suppose it may lend a little credibility if you have to have them search for parts but it’s not like it used to be.

 

I checked the oil in my daily driver and I needed to add oil, I ask my daughter to get in and go to the auto parts store and she questioned my direction since I normally go to NAPA, I told her we are going to Oriley's and she rolled her eyes, I said the manager ask me to bring you back, possibly to assure you your experience is not the norm, at least with his store.

We went in and the manager spotted me and came over, he ask was she my daughter and I said yes.
He went on to say another employee had approached over the weekend and told him about a employees was ignoring customers and seemed to be trying to run them off, he went on to say he confronted the guy and ask what was going on and ask if he had quizzed customers with unnecessary questions and his reply was, "I don't know"

He told him a girl had complained to her dad that he had give her a hard time about buying spark plugs, and he remember, he said she didn't know what the hell she wanted.

He was then told she would be coming by Monday and he would need to apologize for his actions, he promptly told his boss I ain't going to apologize for anything, I quit! and he walked out.

The manager then looked at my daughter and said he was sorry it happen and told her if she ever needs something at his store ask for him.

I got my quart of oil and she found a parts store she will feel confident with in the future, HRP

 

Good for that manager! I don’t know what it is with a lot of people today, but they just don’t want to work. One of my favorite truck stop restaurants has had problems keeping help lately, folks just don’t want to put in the effort required of the job. I’ve had a few jobs that I grew to hate, but I still put out the effort until something better came along.

At the Oreily’s that I go to, I’d rather deal with a couple of the females that work there, they both know their stuff. The guys are pretty good, too, but the girls seem to like to cut up a little more. Makes this old graybeard feel good when a young lady enjoys talking to you as much as you do them.

 

I've always thought about why surface gap plugs weren't used more in automotive applications. I have 2 of them in my 80s, 18 hp outboard and it runs like a champ.
And in Top Fuel, they say the ground strap on a conventional plug is completely burned away/missing after a run. The front engine Fueler pic is a single, 44 amp mag (8 plugs)--The big nhra Fuelers have *two* 44 amp mags/16 plugs.. Just a random thought every time I check them in my outboard.

 

I'm the same, but if all else fails and they don't have the OE brand I tend to default with NGK or Denso.

 

I think this thread is more about the negative experience than the actual spark plugs.

I don't want to spook you all, but the time is coming when you will have no other choice but to order your plugs (and everything else) online, and then wait patiently for the delivery to come...................and be wrong!!!!
When you get in touch with them and point this out, they will not really care that much, because you will have already paid them upfront. They will then ask you to return the wrong items at your expense, and then resend the parts you ordered.............only for you to find out they are wrong again!!!!

It is coming..................I just hope it is not in my lifetime..............

Speaking from experience with an OT product.............and happened today.

 

Yes, but there is no reason why all of us can't be more informed on our choices in spark plugs, it seems the choices are staggering. HRP

 

I've always use AC Delco or Champion plugs.

 

I don't expect there to be some kind of car fairy-godmother to be working behind the counter, but at least have someone who knows their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to cars. I've also noticed that the bigger the city is the more window lickers they hire.
As far as spark plugs go I've only ever used Champion and Motorcraft, especially in small engines. I bought a gimmicky plug for my push mower and I don't think it lasted a year pulled an old Champion plug from my snowblower and it ran like a champ.

 

When I choose spark plugs, I make it super easy. NGK in everything. Farmall tractors to Harleys and everything in between.

 

I know a gent in Austrailia that builds OT inliners and he uses those plugs in everything. We are talking 1800hp street engines

 

Well there's potentially a lot that goes into selecting the best plug for your application. If you just want something that makes your engine go vroom, you just need a generic part number. But when you add power adders, higher compression, CDI ignition boxes, magnetos, etc. it gets a little more involved. Heat range, resistor or non-resistor, projected tip or non-projected and so on all come into play. You need to figure out what your combo requires, and the right plugs can make a pretty significant difference in performance.
Stock engines will work just fine with factory replacement plugs, that's a no-brainer. Performance builds are a whole different animal.

 

For a Ford from the mid 90’s up you buy the exact one that was their stock and change at 100k miles because those engines just know. In my 56 it doesn’t seem to care but I buy Autolites anyway. My racing 14-1 GMC 6 gets NGK’s because I can get cold enough ones.

I buy them all from Sparkplugs.com and they come in a big brown truck.

 

I ordered a set of 8 ACDelco R45TS spark plugs from Amazon and got them for less than 20 bucks.

 

And with a modified engine, how do you know what type plug is correct? Don't say plug color because A/F mixture, timing and even fuel type affects plug readings

 

Jim, "squirrel" would probably the best source of information concerning the heat range since his car has a modified engine and he uses his car for street and strip. HRP

 

I run O/T vintage bikes in land speed racing, hold several class records...I just use one range colder than stock...

 

Thank God there's only one horn relay that fits all Chevrolets . . .

 

Lol,,,,,,women are not dumb,,,,,,”come into my parlor,,,said the spider “ .
It works every time !

Tommy