Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Autolite XP104 Spark Plugs

Searched and found a recent thread about spark plugs. I'm looking into replacing mine again very soon. I'm currently running Motorcraft AWSF-32PP with about 60K on them, so it's time. I know Autolite APP764 is a good replacement, but in the linked thread Big Jim was talking about Autolite XP104. Has anyone tried these, and with what results?

A couple points of interest:

XP104 is the same heat range as APP104. What's the difference between the APP104 and the APP764?

According to partsamerica.com and autolite.com the APP104 will fit this engine at .054 gap. However, if you cruise over to sparkplugs.com, the XP104 is not listed for the Contour, or anything with a Duratec V6. They only list APP764 for Autolite plugs.

Please discuss.

I just did a google search for Autolite XP spark plugs. I clicked on the first site on the list. That took me to an Autolite page that described the XP spark plugs. Near the middle of that page I clicked on the prompt to look up the part number. I entered information for my car (98 Contour SVT) and found the listing.

It shows that either APP764 or XP104 were appropriate for my car.

I suspect that they are the same heat range.

Since they are intended to be a factory replacement fine wire with platinum side wire, I would not be afraid to use them as long as the price is reasonable. The biggest complaint I had with the Motorcraft fine wire is that they did not have a platinum side wire. Ford did a pretty good job of convincing me that dual platinum was necessary with the coil pack ignition. I will admit that the original plugs (Motorcraft fine wires) did not look badly worn when I pulled them out at 60,000 miles.

I have about 30,000 more miles to go before I need to worry about replacing the ones I have and maybe by then they will become common enough for the price to come down. Last I checked the XP was still much more expensive than the APP plug.

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm going to try them out. I'll report back with more information as soon as I have it.