Spark plug replacement on 5.4L V8

  #1  
Old 12-18-2007, 02:11 PM
snwplow's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Spark plug replacement on 5.4L V8

I've got a '99 F150 with just shy of 60k miles on it. I'm pretty sure the spark plugs need to be replaced as it was running roughly and gave the P0304 code yesterday for cylinder 4 misfire.

It looks like a PITA to change myself, so I took it to a mechanic. All was fine until they called me back and said they had made an error and that the plugs were $18 per spark plug. They're suggesting that the only plug I can use is the NGK 6579 plug. I called Pep Boys and Autozone and Kragen who all suggested Autolite Extreme Performance plugs that run around $6 instead. Who should I trust??? I need to make a decision soon as the truck is at the mechanics right now (although I asked them to hold off until I decide what to do). Thanks!!
 
  #2  
Old 12-18-2007, 02:26 PM
Bluejay's Avatar
Global Moderator &
Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Burleson/Athens/Brownsboro, TX
Posts: 26,015
Received 68 Likes on 64 Posts
Originally Posted by snwplow
I've got a '99 F150 with just shy of 60k miles on it. I'm pretty sure the spark plugs need to be replaced as it was running roughly and gave the P0304 code yesterday for cylinder 4 misfire.

It looks like a PITA to change myself, so I took it to a mechanic. All was fine until they called me back and said they had made an error and that the plugs were $18 per spark plug. They're suggesting that the only plug I can use is the NGK 6579 plug. I called Pep Boys and Autozone and Kragen who all suggested Autolite Extreme Performance plugs that run around $6 instead. Who should I trust??? I need to make a decision soon as the truck is at the mechanics right now (although I asked them to hold off until I decide what to do). Thanks!!
The $18 plug is for the 2004 up 5.4. Find out what they will charge you if you take them the plugs.
 
__________________
Jim
  #3  
Old 12-18-2007, 02:30 PM
phil6608's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wilmington DE
Posts: 3,579
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Put Motorcraft plugs in it!

Phil
 
  #4  
Old 12-18-2007, 02:32 PM
snwplow's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
they seemed open to me bringing in plugs - but I felt silly bringing parts to a mechanic.

Looks like several people are using NGK's in the Lightening edition - maybe they just confused the motors when looking things up?

Yea, after searching the forums it looks like Motorcraft plugs are more popular anyway.
 
  #5  
Old 12-18-2007, 02:44 PM
shifty_85's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: farmington hills, MI
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the lightnings use NGK's because they have boost. motor craft plugs will be the best. or Autolites...didnt ford own autolite?
 
  #6  
Old 12-18-2007, 02:52 PM
06 So Comfort's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by shifty_85
the lightnings use NGK's because they have boost. motor craft plugs will be the best. or Autolites...didnt ford own autolite?
From the Autolite web site:

Since its inception, Autolite has guaranteed aftermarket and Original Equipment customers worldwide the highest quality products for high performance sparkplugs and sparkplug wires. The Autolite team manufactures Autolite® branded spark plugs and ignition wire sets, and provides plugs to leading Original Equipment Manufacturers like Ford Motor Company and General Motors.

My take on this is, they make Motorcraft plugs for Ford.
 
  #7  
Old 12-18-2007, 03:04 PM
snwplow's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone

I'm going with the motorcraft plugs - Thankfully Autozone has them in stock. Seems like most people prefer the motorcraft plugs to Autolite (same company? etc whatever). But it's not bad that the plugs are so cheap right? I think they're only $3.10 each.... hopefully that's ok. Either way it's not happening until tomorrow as I don't have the time to do it right now.
 
  #8  
Old 12-18-2007, 03:32 PM
jbrew's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: MI
Posts: 25,637
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by 06 So Comfort
My take on this is, they make Motorcraft plugs for Ford.
That sums it up alright -

Yea , Honeywell makes both Autolites and Motorcraft plugs. Motorcraft plugs are maunfactured to FORD's strick specifications. Autolites are not.. I tried Autolites once, they lasted 40 miles, I wrote them a letter and they basically said what I have above.

I tried Bosch as well - The truck didn't make it out of the shop.

You don't have to learn the hard way - I already did that, many moons ago


This may help as well -

https://www.f150online.com/forums/li...parkplugs.html


Don't foget the dielectric grease - very important!!
 

Last edited by jbrew; 12-18-2007 at 03:40 PM.
  #9  
Old 12-18-2007, 03:39 PM
MSH's Avatar
MSH
MSH is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
///
 

Last edited by MSH; 03-10-2008 at 09:21 AM.
  #10  
Old 12-18-2007, 08:46 PM
glc's Avatar
glc
glc is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 43,186
Received 754 Likes on 700 Posts
If you don't want to use the OEM Motorcrafts for whatever reason, use Denso Iridiums.
 


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Spark plug replacement on 5.4L V8



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:12 AM.