'98 Explorer V8 Spark Plug Replacement?
 

You're right, I stand corrected. The new plug is just fully threaded
and does not seat further into the cylinder, just threads further into
the block.

I did change the plugs and the pricey wires (~$216.00), turns out
removing the wheels and fender apron flaps made the job easy, thanks for
the tip. The hardest part was routing the wires. It seems to be
running perfect, though it run fine before the maintenance too.

Thanks again,

Steven

Happy Traveler wrote:
> Steven,
>
> If you look at the photographs in your reference, the distance from the
> seating taper to the tip of the plug is the same for both types. Thus they
> reach exactly to the same depth inside the chamber (I would be really
> concerned about sticking in a plug that reaches longer than the original -
> for a variety of reasons, including colliding with the piston at TDC). The
> difference is that one is fully threaded, while the other is not. The fully
> threaded one may be able to engage one or two more threads and help a bit
> to prevent stripped threads by those who do not believe in torque
> wrenches -- especially on aluminum heads (which luckily, our ancient 302
> engines do not have...)
>
>
> "Steven Hilgendorf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Another weird thing about the replacement plugs is that the threads are
>> longer, which appears as if the plug will seat further into the
>> cylinder. Here is a site that notes the differences of the plugs:
>>
>> http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/SparkPlugChanges.htm
>
>

'98 Explorer V8 Spark Plug Replacement?
 

oklaman wrote:
> somewhere I read (wish I could remember where) that double tip platinum's
> were not really any better than regular platinum's, just costs more.
>

The reason double platinums are used on some engines is because the the
ignition system fires the spark with a negative voltage on half of the
cylinders and a positive voltage on the others. If you used single
platinum plugs, you'd have to get two kinds of plugs and install them
in the correct cylinders.

The double platinums cost a little more, but allow you to use the same
plug in all cylinders.

So you're right- the double platinums are not "better" and do cost
more, but just make the job simpler.
-Paul

'98 Explorer V8 Spark Plug Replacement?
 

thanks Paul. A very good answer.
> wrote in message
ups.com...

oklaman wrote:
> somewhere I read (wish I could remember where) that double tip platinum's
> were not really any better than regular platinum's, just costs more.
>

The reason double platinums are used on some engines is because the the
ignition system fires the spark with a negative voltage on half of the
cylinders and a positive voltage on the others. If you used single
platinum plugs, you'd have to get two kinds of plugs and install them
in the correct cylinders.

The double platinums cost a little more, but allow you to use the same
plug in all cylinders.

So you're right- the double platinums are not "better" and do cost
more, but just make the job simpler.
-Paul

'98 Explorer V8 Spark Plug Replacement?
 

replying to Steven Hilgendorf, Dawn wrote:
Having trouble getting last plug out because heat shield

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