My trucks due any time soon for a little tune-up. Anybody got any recommendations for some good quality components (plugs, wires, distributor, etc) that might be a little more "hi-zoot" than OEM stuff?

Thanks!

 

I am not sure for the 4.9L, but I got all upgraded ignition stuff from Mike Troyer (Superchips_Distributor). Call him and see what yall can put together. I got:
Denso Iridium ITF-16 Plugs
Accel 300+ Race Wires
Accel Super Coil
Accel Distributor Cap & Rotor Button
Tell him your a member, and I believe you get a discounted price. Tell him Beastie in New Orleans sent you

 

for plugs, denso's are among the best, but they're pricey. i personally use champions and love them, zero problems to date and MUCH better than factory ones. for cap, rotor and wires i agree with beastie, go with accel.

 

Factory stuff is crap IMO, and from there you have a great deal to choose from. I've seen more debate on plug wires than I care to remember, but the bottom line seems to be that you get what you pay for in most cases.

I managed to cut one of my wires (don't ask LOL) doing some other stuff. I had an extra but wanted to replace it just in case I needed another. Jacobs sent me one free of charge, even though I admitted it was my screw up.

While you're at it index the plugs, and/or side gap them. Since they are easy to get to on the I6 it isn't all that bad. If you get some indexing washers it's easier still.


I've had good luck with both the Champion truck plugs and the Autolite plats. I did have a small cold stuble with the Autolites, but believe this was more due to the huge gap I was running. I'll find out soon since I'm due to check/change them. I did find that the truck came up to temp quicker with the Autolites, so I'm guessing that they do in fact throw a better spark into the chamber.

 

Gotta bring this one back up. I think I'm gonna get the Accel Super Truck tune up kit (and a Super Coil at the same time). Seems like a pretty good value to me, and ordering the kit makes things simple. My question is, are Accel spark plugs any good? I would think they'd be, since their ignition components are generally reguarded as good stuff.

Just wondered if anybody uses 'em.

 

ive used them, andtheyre ok, but id take the championsover the accell any day of the week. my truck runs MUCH better with the champions. just my opinion, good luck!

 

LOL mine runs great for my Denso's, but for there price, you would think they are made of gold

 

I have tried several different plugs, and my 4.9 loves Champion Truck Plugs, especially when I trim the ground electrode:



I'm not familiar with the kit you are getting, but if it comes with the yellow Accel Super Stock plug wires, don't get it. They are the worst wires I have ever tested.

I'm currently using Taylor wires, and have no complaints, but I also like the Accel 300+ wires.

Any cap and rotor will be fine, as long as you get ones with brass tips.

Don't forget to replace the PCV valve, and inspect your vacuum lines.

Take care,
~Chris

 

Whoa.....never seen anybody do that to a spark plug. The kit I'm looking at comes with a cap & rotor, Extreme 9000 8mm wires, and "u-groove" spark plugs....all Accel of course.

Thanks for the advice!

 

hey PKRWUD,
im going to be doing a tune-up on my truck soon (one of my wires is cut, the plugs are pretty fouled up, and the cap and rotor are black at the contacts from old age) and im thinking about grinding the electrodes like you say, just to try it out. how exactly did you grind them down? thanks...

 

I got the Accel Super Truck for the 4.9L from Summit, it came with cap, rotor, wires, and plugs. I paid about $60 and have no complaints. BTW the wires are like Accel 9000's or something and are blue.
My next plug change will be to Champions.

 

****t. I thought I replied to this already.

sorry!

Place the plug in a vise, electrode up. Get a metal nail file, and place it between the center electrode and the ground electrode tip. Then, with a fine bladed hack saw, gently saw off how ever much you want to remove. The nail file prevents you from damaging the plug. When finished, use the file to square the edges of the freshly trimmed electrode.

Take care,
~Chris

 

Is this "side gapping"? Are you gapping to spec or something wider? Looks like it will burn away quicker. Are you finding this to be true? It looks like a better situation for spark. Thanks Chris

 

It's my version of side gapping. technically, side gapping is when the ground electrode doesn't rise any higher than the center electrode.

I find my plugs last just as long, but I have a noticible increase in power (barely, but it's there). I change my plugs at least once a year though, so I couldn't say how long they would last beyond that, but they look just as good as plugs I haven't side gapped do after a year.

 

I plan on trying the way Chris does it the next time around. I STILL don't have any indexing washers, and I was too lazy to index them last time.

While my rad was being repaired I did a good engine compartment cleaning and popped the plats back in. This modified side gapping looks like a time saver in the long run, and combined with indexing should be better still.

If you ever see a good picture of a spark, they tend to come off the tip at an angle usually anyway, and this method would seem to enhance that effect while also unshrouding the spark.


Maybe I can convince Chris to trim my plugs in exxhange for me sending him out a set of indexing washers. I don't have much time these days, so I'd rather make a trade for money. LOL