What are the best plugs to use and to what setting? 0.35 is what I've been reading.

 

i did hours of reading on this for my 3-valve 5.4L, and im going with Autolite

 

Why not stick with motorcraft?

 

I don't know. Is there much of a difference in performance with different brands?

 

NGK are really good plugs

 

not for these trucks!

 

Unless I can't read very well, you didn't state the engine. I have a 4.6 and used the Autolite double platinum. It had a slight shakey idle for about 1500 miles and it's now as smooth as factory. If you have a 5.4, Motorcraft only if you want it to run right. The .035 won't work for a current production Triton. Look on the tag under the hood where it states the engine/emissions specs.

 

Motorcraft OEM, gapped to specs on the underhood sticker.

 

05 5.4

 

I run em in my 01 lightning and my 03 5.4 Expy and they do fine

 

Yea, NGK doesn't produce a plug for that model.

Personally, I would go with the ONLY one piece design manufactured solely for the 3v engine. From Federal Mogul -

 

The quality, performance, reliability and confidence of the Motorcraft® name is available in spark plugs for a broad range of applications, including domestic and imported cars and for all size trucks. Motorcraft® spark plugs are the only ones designed, engineered and recommended by Ford Motor Company. Whatever the application, Motorcraft® offers a spark plugs that fits.

Spark Plug Product Groups

Single platinum - Used in conventional distributor-equipped and coil-on-plug ignition systems, these plugs offer 60,000- to 100,000-mile service intervals.

Double platinum - Used for distributorless ignition systems, these plugs improve performance, resist erosion and offer 100,000-mile service intervals.

Finewire platinum - Our latest advance, these top-quality plugs offer more platinum to reduce fouling firing voltage, and provide higher service intervals.

Non-extended tip - Used for most older model car engines, some current model truck engines, and commercial and small engines.

Extended tip - Used in certain modern engines to prevent fouling at low speeds and to provide self-cleaning action at higher speeds.

Extra extended tip - Used in specially designed engines, these plugs project further into the combustion chamber to achieve optimum gap.

Special extended tip - Similar to extra extended tip plugs, but may project even further into the combustion chamber.

Surface gap - Used with capacitor discharge (CD) ignition systems only. They offer a very cold heat range, and are used primarily for outboard motors.

Platinum Spark Plugs
The same premium-quality spark plugs that have 100,000-mile replacement intervals, used in many new Ford Motor Company vehicles, are available as replacement plugs for earlier model vehicles. Platinum's high melting point provides superior resistance to erosion. This results in 60,000- to 100,000-mile intervals between spark plug changes while maintaining optimum engine performance. Platinum plugs are designated by the letters "P," "PP," "E," "EE," "F," or "FE" in the part number suffix.

Platinum Spark Plug Groups

Single Platinum (P & E)
Double Platinum (PP & EE)
Finewire Platinum (F & FE)

 

as far as running good goes, go with motorcraft. as far as changing the plugs without a problem next time, go with the one piece champion, but there have been complaints about them not running right from what i understand. how hard is it to make a 1 piece plug? champion did it why wont ford or honeywell?

 

Motorcraft OE's FTW

 

I'm going to be changing out my plugs soon. I plan to switch to the Champions. I wouldn't even consider a two piece plug, ever. I would rather change plugs every 12,000 miles, like back in the day, than to fool around with these stupididly designed, two piece abominations. Besides, I have only heard of one report of problems with the Champions, and it appeared that in that case the engine was experiencing pre-ignition in one cylinder. Many possible causes for that. It seems that all the posters on this and other sites have given good reports on the Champions. BTW what is the gap on the Champion plug, because it is of a standard gappable design?

HYPO