Champion Develops "FIX" Plug for 5.4L 3 valves!
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: ft. laud., fla
Originally Posted by DVD_FX4
Well, I received my Champion 7879 plugs from sparkplugs.com and did the install yesterday. The old Motorcraft PZT 2F plugs with 13,000 miles on them initially turned very hard (and I was a bit worried), but after long squirts of aerokroil and waiting another 15 minutes to pull them, they all came out with no issues. One note, there was definitely a ring of carbon build up near the base of the plug extension, near the threads - but aerokroil disolved this along with the antisieze that I used at the last change.
The new Champions came with a smaller (.40) gap, so I widened them to the recommended .54 and also straigtened the ground strap over the electrode on about half of them (they were slightly off center initially). I also coated the threads and the plug extension (lightly) with anti sieze and squirted quite a bit of dielectric gel in all the plug boots.
The engine started right up, but ran rough and was missing on a few cylinders. I ran it for a few miles to warm up, then ran at WOT from a stop to about 80 MPH and now it is running smooth. The overall impression - the plugs seem to run about the same as the stock Motorcrafts at this point.
The new Champions came with a smaller (.40) gap, so I widened them to the recommended .54 and also straigtened the ground strap over the electrode on about half of them (they were slightly off center initially). I also coated the threads and the plug extension (lightly) with anti sieze and squirted quite a bit of dielectric gel in all the plug boots.
The engine started right up, but ran rough and was missing on a few cylinders. I ran it for a few miles to warm up, then ran at WOT from a stop to about 80 MPH and now it is running smooth. The overall impression - the plugs seem to run about the same as the stock Motorcrafts at this point.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
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From: Indianapolis, area
Originally Posted by DVD_FX4
Well, I received my Champion 7879 plugs from sparkplugs.com and did the install yesterday. The old Motorcraft PZT 2F plugs with 13,000 miles on them initially turned very hard (and I was a bit worried), but after long squirts of aerokroil and waiting another 15 minutes to pull them, they all came out with no issues. One note, there was definitely a ring of carbon build up near the base of the plug extension, near the threads - but aerokroil disolved this along with the antisieze that I used at the last change.
The new Champions came with a smaller (.40) gap, so I widened them to the recommended .54 and also straigtened the ground strap over the electrode on about half of them (they were slightly off center initially). I also coated the threads and the plug extension (lightly) with anti sieze and squirted quite a bit of dielectric gel in all the plug boots.
The engine started right up, but ran rough and was missing on a few cylinders. I ran it for a few miles to warm up, then ran at WOT from a stop to about 80 MPH and now it is running smooth. The overall impression - the plugs seem to run about the same as the stock Motorcrafts at this point.
The new Champions came with a smaller (.40) gap, so I widened them to the recommended .54 and also straigtened the ground strap over the electrode on about half of them (they were slightly off center initially). I also coated the threads and the plug extension (lightly) with anti sieze and squirted quite a bit of dielectric gel in all the plug boots.
The engine started right up, but ran rough and was missing on a few cylinders. I ran it for a few miles to warm up, then ran at WOT from a stop to about 80 MPH and now it is running smooth. The overall impression - the plugs seem to run about the same as the stock Motorcrafts at this point.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 42
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From: Texas
Update:
The truck stumbles/misses a little at idle still, and feels generally less smooth across the RPM band. The engine does smooth out a little when fully warmed up, but the idle issue is there sporadically at all temps. I am going to pull the plugs out and regap down to .45 to see if it helps.
The truck stumbles/misses a little at idle still, and feels generally less smooth across the RPM band. The engine does smooth out a little when fully warmed up, but the idle issue is there sporadically at all temps. I am going to pull the plugs out and regap down to .45 to see if it helps.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, area
Originally Posted by DVD_FX4
Update:
The truck stumbles/misses a little at idle still, and feels generally less smooth across the RPM band. The engine does smooth out a little when fully warmed up, but the idle issue is there sporadically at all temps. I am going to pull the plugs out and regap down to .45 to see if it helps.
The truck stumbles/misses a little at idle still, and feels generally less smooth across the RPM band. The engine does smooth out a little when fully warmed up, but the idle issue is there sporadically at all temps. I am going to pull the plugs out and regap down to .45 to see if it helps.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
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From: Indianapolis, area
Does anyone have any ideas about what gap we should run? I saw on sparkplugs.com list the Autolites for a .045 gap but this champion at a .054 gap. I have tried getting a hold of Champion/Federal Mogul but it always say all lines busy call back later. My Champions are gapped at .045, like DVD_FX4, I just don't know if I should increase the gap or not. I know that no one is going to have a definate answer but what would your bet guess be?
I'm thinking I might just leave them the way they are and see what happens.
I'm thinking I might just leave them the way they are and see what happens.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 275
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From: Vancouver, Canada
Originally Posted by dkstone05
Does anyone have any ideas about what gap we should run? I saw on sparkplugs.com list the Autolites for a .045 gap but this champion at a .054 gap. I have tried getting a hold of Champion/Federal Mogul but it always say all lines busy call back later. My Champions are gapped at .045, like DVD_FX4, I just don't know if I should increase the gap or not. I know that no one is going to have a definate answer but what would your bet guess be?
I'm thinking I might just leave them the way they are and see what happens.
I'm thinking I might just leave them the way they are and see what happens.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 35
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From: Jefferson City, MO
i picked up my champions as well. the guy behind the counter crapped his pants when he saw they were 160 bucks. he felt so bad he gave my rotors back without charging me for turning them. its gonna be a week or two before i venture in the the unknown.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 42
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From: Texas
Final Update:
Well, last night the engine was pinging very bad . . . at idle. So, I pulled all the plugs out and regapped to .42 and discoverd that one of the key issues was that plug #7 had a damaged ceramic insulator. The white part actually slides up and down on the center wire electrode - not good! I replaced the broken plug with a motorcraft replacement, but the engine is still running rough (though not nearly as bad - no ping now).
So, to sum up my experience with these new champions: The ground straps were off center on half of the plugs out of the box, one of the plugs is ruined after 50 miles of driving (although to give the benefit of the doubt, it may have been damaged in shipping), and the engine runs rough compared to the stock PZT-2F plugs.
Botom line, your mileage may vary - I ordered the Brisk Silver Racing plugs and plan to install them as soon as they arrive.
Caveat emptor
Well, last night the engine was pinging very bad . . . at idle. So, I pulled all the plugs out and regapped to .42 and discoverd that one of the key issues was that plug #7 had a damaged ceramic insulator. The white part actually slides up and down on the center wire electrode - not good! I replaced the broken plug with a motorcraft replacement, but the engine is still running rough (though not nearly as bad - no ping now).
So, to sum up my experience with these new champions: The ground straps were off center on half of the plugs out of the box, one of the plugs is ruined after 50 miles of driving (although to give the benefit of the doubt, it may have been damaged in shipping), and the engine runs rough compared to the stock PZT-2F plugs.
Botom line, your mileage may vary - I ordered the Brisk Silver Racing plugs and plan to install them as soon as they arrive.
Caveat emptor
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burleson/Athens/Brownsboro, TX
I really think you guys are going to a lot of work for nothing. My dealer changed mine at 65,500 with no problem. The tech said they probably could have gone to 100,000 with no problem. The truck was running great before I tok it in, I was just getting nervous after reading so much on here. They installed the colder Motorcraft and it is running just great, and I plan on going another 75,000 or so on them. I really think a big factor is running a good detergent fuel and then following the TSB.
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Jim
Jim
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From: PA
I'm sure someone will have something to say however..........
Champion plugs are crap IMHO. I wouldn't put them in my lawn mower. We have vehicles coming in all the time with misfires and guess where the problem is??? Good ol Champion plugs recently installed by the unknowing customer........Flame away
Champion plugs are crap IMHO. I wouldn't put them in my lawn mower. We have vehicles coming in all the time with misfires and guess where the problem is??? Good ol Champion plugs recently installed by the unknowing customer........Flame away
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
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From: Indianapolis, area
Well hell, this isn't look too great. But oh well I guess I'll give them a shot anyway since I already have them. I think I'm going to gap them to the .054 like what it says on sparkplugs.com and see what happens. If runs like crap I can always gap them back down or replace with motorcraft. I'll post up monday evening on my results.
At least the ground shield on the champions look very tough. The wall of the ground shield is very thick and shouldn't have any problems with breaking off.
At least the ground shield on the champions look very tough. The wall of the ground shield is very thick and shouldn't have any problems with breaking off.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burleson/Athens/Brownsboro, TX
Originally Posted by FordTech1
I'm sure someone will have something to say however..........
Champion plugs are crap IMHO. I wouldn't put them in my lawn mower. We have vehicles coming in all the time with misfires and guess where the problem is??? Good ol Champion plugs recently installed by the unknowing customer........Flame away
Champion plugs are crap IMHO. I wouldn't put them in my lawn mower. We have vehicles coming in all the time with misfires and guess where the problem is??? Good ol Champion plugs recently installed by the unknowing customer........Flame away
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Jim
Jim
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From: PA
Dude I didn't post that to be a smarta** or nothing but it is true, from experience, that is one of the first things we check on a vehicle that comes in with a misfire....what brand of plug is sitting in there and what kind of ignition wire....... I have replaced many a sets of brand new Champions and Autolites with Motorcraft. I'm not saying the Motorcrafts are the best out there either but they do work for OEM applications. The older motors ( pre-fuel injection) could get away with crap plugs, not anymore.....
