Question about spark plugs for '96 Cobra

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MYSTIC SVT - 13 Nov 2003 00:59 GMT

Anyone know more about this?

My manual calls for :

AWSF-32EE plugs with cylinders #1-4 suffix EG and cylinders #5-8 suffix E

I'm assuming the 2 different plugs have something to do with heat ratings.

Well, I'm buying new plugs from Ford MotorSports and their computer calls for:

AGSF32FM plugs (all 8 cylinders)

Does anybody know why they changed? I'm curious to know if it was a
beancounter thing (like the strut brace they axed in '97) or if it's for some
other reason. Any performance differences?

Thanks in advance to anyone that knows.

AR
'96 Mystic Cobra
#333
13.76 @ 104

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Jim Chodrick - 13 Nov 2003 01:59 GMT

Believe it or not, Ford saved about $0.02 per plug. Reason is that on a DIS
car the coil packs basically have a positive and negative polarity, the
plugs are platinum on corresponding sides to last longer. Using platinum on
both ends of the plug would increase cost and serve no benefit. You can't
even buy the spark plugs that are originally installed at the factory. When
you replace them you'll get plugs with plat at both ends.

> Anyone know more about this?
>
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> #333
> 13.76 @ 104

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SVTKate - 13 Nov 2003 06:43 GMT

Umm...
When I bought the plugs for my car, they came with two different part
numbers on them. They were visually identical (yea.. I know..)

Now this is a true blonde moment. I thought they were just from two batches
and the part numbers had changed.. I just stuffed them in.
Did I fugg up?

Kate
98 Cobra

| Believe it or not, Ford saved about $0.02 per plug. Reason is that on a DIS
| car the coil packs basically have a positive and negative polarity, the
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
| > #333
| > 13.76 @ 104

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Jim Warman - 13 Nov 2003 08:45 GMT

Possibly.... all the replacement Motorcraft plugs I have come into contact
with are double platinums.... both ground and centre electrodes have
platinum tips.... or single plats with only the centre electrodes having
platinum tips. My experience here in Canada shows that the original type
'PG' and 'PP' plugs are unavailable. IIRC, the right (passenger side)
cylinder bank is the positive side and the left is the ground side in the
wasted spark systems.

I see mostly COP systems at work anymore so now I'm starting to get stupid
(well, more stupid) about all that ancient stuff..... this coming from
someone that used to change points and condensers for a living....

> Umm...
> When I bought the plugs for my car, they came with two different part
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> | > #333
> | > 13.76 @ 104

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SVTKate - 13 Nov 2003 14:37 GMT

Thanks Jim,
I'll have to look into this further.

Fortunately, they aren't that hard to pull (except those TWO under the strut
tower brace)

See, this is why I like this group, I learn a LOT

Kate

| Possibly.... all the replacement Motorcraft plugs I have come into contact
| with are double platinums.... both ground and centre electrodes have
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
| > | > #333
| > | > 13.76 @ 104

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Tekfabllc - 13 Nov 2003 20:16 GMT

Thanks Jim.

Leave it to the Bean counters. They never cease to amaze me. On the other
hand, I've heard they did this to almost all of the production cars in 1996.
Multiply $.02 by 4, 6, or 8 times multiplied by how many vehicles were produced
and you have quite a chunk of change. I wonder though how many cars needed
plugs early though due to improper installations. Anyway, thanks for the info.

AR
'96 Mystic Cobra
#333
13.76 @ 104

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SVTKate - 13 Nov 2003 21:37 GMT

Well, I looked into it a bit, I don't find any reference to my car using
different plugs in different slots...
my hubby remembered that it was the old plugs that were different than the
new ones (part number) si I think all is cool.

Kate

| Thanks Jim.
|
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
| #333
| 13.76 @ 104

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